The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-10
CoD5rsht, 100. by hams EEing

serving on the board OF education-but
didn't want TO hold Office and never ex-
pected 70 get into politics personally. AZ
ter I engaged in business, I had no time
for anything else. For twenty years ]
was rather inactive politically. but
always knew what was going on, both al
home and In tho rest OF the country"
Nine years ago you bought a daily
newspaper"
Yes; and since then have bought an
other One OF my sons had been grad
uated from Yale. and my second son was
In college. I had intended that they
should take my place In the wire mills
After a young man has completed his
education, he should instantly get busy
Having no business in which TO establish
my sons. 1 purchased a newspaper and
put them 70 work At first. I gave II a
good share OF my time Now the boys
are managing both papers. with some
occasional help from me"
There must be a wide difference be-
tween wiremaking and publishing" J
said.
There is, IN that the unit Of value Of
the publishers product is half a cent
whereas. l had been selling wire " the
trainlOad With the newspaper brsiness
the fraction Of n cent Is a vital matter
The imprinted white paper in my evening
publication costs three-fourths OF a cent
per copy we print II and then sell Il for
half cent per copy. In the old days
OF the newspaper business there was q
profit in circulation Part Of the neces-
gary expenses and all of the profit now
adays come from the byproduct. which is
advertising. I regret, for several reasons
that the conditions have changed"
Not n FacIIe Writer.
II am told that you write a good many
cditorials?"
Not a good many. I am not a facIle
writer or ready speaker. Some persons
can write or talk without having much
information. but I must have a pretty
substantial foundation before I ATTEMPT
to do either. When I write an editorial
It Is because I believe know more about
the subject than any one else in the Of
fee"
From your experiences" I inquired,
what personal qualities are necessary IN
the making Of fortune?"
"Oh, I don't care TO be dragged into
the discussion Of an abstract question
like that-into a matter that gives the
Spectator and philosopher great latitude
for Improbable theories and abstruse oh
servations"
But the getting Of money" I urged
which Is the chief hope and occupation
Of the average American, seems TO be a
special talent, like music, art, and writ
ing?"
I shall nc. attempt = argue tie sub
ject," Senator Oliver replied. but will
simply say that the combination OF tude-
ment and energy Will be successful any
where and at anything Brains and in.
dustry IS an unconquerable partnership
Integrity. necessarily. Is presupposed''
Are multi-millionaires undesirable eiti-
zensT'
you have introduced another question
that can be discussed from many stand
points. 1t has been debated with vigor
for several years, and opinions are no
nearer an agreement than when fine
economists, reformers. and essay writers
undertook to settle matters. For myself
think community or State would no
better off with 100 men worth $500 oO-
each than with 100000 centered in the
possession Of a single individual. The
passion for wealth can be as dangerous
and destructive as the passion for strong
drink. II one keeps piling UP his millions
merely to crafty his lust for money. he
cannot justify himself or recompense So
ciety by giving small part of his ac-
cumulations away"
Honesty In business.
Are men OF business as honest as
they used to be?"
There Is just as much integrity in the
world as ever. Big enterprises are erro-