The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1913-05-09
MORGAN STORIES.
The Great Banker, Blunt and
Gruff, Could Enjoy a Joke.
HIS KEEN SENSE OF JUSTICE.

Il Was Strikinsly illustrated BY the
Way He Handled Two Dsfauitins
Employees and the Rsbuks Hs Ad-
ninistsrsd to Wall Street Shark.
Most people who knew ]. P. Morgan
knew him as q man blunt to the point
of gruffness. yet he had a keen sense
Of humOr. This is recalled by the way
he appreciated so well the joke Of q
young Irishman who served In his Of.
fee as a sort Of exalted porter that he
raised his salary.
The joke was on one Of the bankers
visitors. who. thinking to have some
fun with the young man, remarked to
him his was a most difficult task, keep
ing those whom Mr.. Morgan did not
wish to see away from him without
giving offense.
That's So" said the Irishman, "but
l don't mind. earn $50 week."
Duly impressed, the visitor remarked
to Mr.. Morgan that he paid pretty
good salaries. mentioning the figure
SANCh Aih Ny thc uOOL MAAs n4VA-
gan rang for him.
what do you mean," he demanded.
''by telling this gentleman that pay
you $50 week?"
II never told him anything of the
sort, SIR" the man replied. 81 told
him earned $50 a week keeping
cranks out. and think do"
said Anruon Hrhfipr ,,n
I'VE won't discuss that now. but just
tell the bookkeeper you are to have IS
more a week. And have no more talk
with my inquisitive friend here on the
private affairs Of the office"
Every banking house has little pecu-
lations at one time or another. No
public record exists to show that the
Morgan house suffered in this respect,
but that Is because the banker handled
these cases in his own way. Two such
cases are recalled by veteran in the
street. In one the culprit, married
man. admitted that he was some $500
short when the head Of the house
called him into his Office. 1t had gone
in speculation. he said. He admitted
that his salary was ample for his
needs.
Mr.. Morgan advised him to go home
and tell his wife about it and see him
in the morning. In the morning he
handed him the amount he was short
after the clerk had said he had told his
wife everything.
Put that where you took the money
FROM" he ordered. TT Is a loan from
me. I expect you to pay it back. None
Of the others know anything about it.
Let's see If you can't be man."
Later the clerk returned the none.
to him, with a stammering expression
Of thanks.
"Humphw said the banker 1T was
a bit harder saving than losing 1t,
wasn't it? Well, now, take it home and
give 1t to your wife. guess she saved
more of 1t than you did"
The other clerk, unmarried, became
involved through associating with too
lively group. Like the other, he was
advanced the amount Of his shortage
and, like the other, repaid it. Not long
afterward Mr.. Morgan called him into
his Office and gave him three months
notice
But. Mr. Morgan" he protested,
"I'm all right. haven't taken a dollar
Of your money since you gave me an
other chance"
II know It," said Morgan, "but 1t
won't he long before you will. You're
travelling with your old clique again"
There is one banker. not of the Sec
Ond class in Importance, who probably
never will forget his experience on the
"Black Monday" panic The head of
one Of the largest commission houses
in the "street" went to Morgan for aid.
1--WE are absolutely solvent" he said,
but Mr.. Blank has called n loan on us
for 81 100000. We can't make it and
must close. Well pay 100 cents and
have enough left for all of us. but we
don't want to sacrifice that business of
years"
What security have you got?" asked
the banker.
The broker told him.
"All right. I'll give you the money
Send the stuff here. Jack. telephone
Blank | want to see him."
81 sent for you" roared the man
who had been up days and nights try.
ing to bring financial peace out of
chaos. Ito tell you what l think about
you. but l haven't the time now.