The Detroit times., 1910-03-02
LURE Of TICKER
IS TOO GREAT
Patten Now Denies He Will Retire
and Tells of Fascination of
Speculation.

NEW YORK, March 2.-"Specula.
ton is the spice OF life. If had to
go along III the same rut, | think
would want TO die. There's nothing
like taking chances. * hrdlu- en-
like taking chances in this world. II
keeps you yonng and makes You
happy
Smiling like boy just out OF
school, James A. Patten. the big Chi
Cago financier and wheat speculator,
emphatically denied today, as the big
Mauretania pulled out of her slip for
Liverpool, the report that he has all
the money he wants and is going to
live the life OF retired merchant.
He is simply going abroad on vaca-
ton trip will come back by the same
steamer, and has the same interest
in the affairs OF the world now that
he had in the excitement of last sum-
mer's great campaign In wheat when
he is credited with cleaning up twenty
million dollars.
Patten has some emphatic views Oh
the suggestion that the wheat market
can be cornered.
1T is absolutely absurd to declare
that any one man or set of men can
get corner on the wheat of the coun-
try he said.
You work hard and try TO buy up
the entire supply. After investing a
great amount of money and accumu-
lating what you consider great line
you reach your Office some day to
find out that somebody else has turn
ed up with another big line and that
they are selling 1t at a low figure.
What do you do? Well, If you are
like me, you sell at his figure also.
You face losing proposition, but 1t
is q great game.
Now let me say right here that
speculation is the spice of life. Even
old man John G. Rockefeller" and he
emphasized the &c" even though It is
10 be presumed he knew full well that
the middle initial OF the oil king Is
Cd" Even John G. at his time OF
life is continually buying and selling
stocks and bonds. He cannot quit.
The game is too interesting.
Il simply would not quit speculat-
ing for the world. Why should |? II
were to have to go along In rut
doing the same thing over and over
again I would consider the time had
come for me TO die There is nothing
like taking chances. That is all the
fun of life"
MIR. Patten." he was asked. there
Is report that YOU intend to go in
heavily for art from now on. Is that
true?"
Art" he gazed quizzically at his
interrogation What do you mean by
art? What's this you expect of me-?
Il was explained that he had been
quoted as going to Europe to buy
some old masters and go into rivalry
with J. p. Morgan for the acquisition
Of the worlds art treasures. The
Chicagoan laughed heartily
Gee" he said. Il couldn't tell the
difference between an oil painting and
a chrome and / don't want TO learn.
There are lot of people who, when
they acquire a lot of money. discover
that they know a whole lot about art
and paintings They go all over the
world buying up rare paintings and
other objects OF art. But not for me.
None of II for Jim Patten. He VIII
stick to the game he knows best
Patten had distinguished com
pany Of fellow voyagers. On board
were Frank A. Vanderlip. president OF
the Standard Oil National City bank;
William X. Vanderbilt. Anthony r.
Rail-. the cotton king: Ogden Mills.
Harry Lauder. returning from the
richest vaudeville tour ever attempt
ed in America; John f. Milholland
and his wife; Count Szechnyi. Bar
oness Won Hengelmuller and others
wellknown in the fashionable and
financial world