The Washington herald., 1914-04-11
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Why Hetty Green's Father Sold His
Bank.
Written Expressly for The Hcrag.
BY DIR. r.. }. EDWARDS.

I Oohh-
Written Expressly for The Hcrag.
| BY DIR. T.. }. EDWARDS.
II never read the interesting reports
which tell of the decision, the unbending
will. and the sense of perfect discipline
which are characteristic of Mrs. Hetty
Green without being reminded Of an in
| cident which came within my personal
observation and which satisfied me that
Mrs. Green inherited from her father
this important qualification which caused
her to succeed in the amassing and keep
ing Of her large fortune" This state
ment was made to me by Asa Potter,
formerly a banker of Boston. who now
lives in New York City.
81 remember Edward IOtt Robinson.
Mrs. Green's father. distinctly Mr..
Potter continued. He was a large man
of perfectly proportioned physique. The
expression Of his face was sufficient TO
reveal to any one his strength of will.
1t also told a story of business capacity.
Yet it was kindly face. IL mad nothing
that was suggestive Of avarice or the
love Of money for its own sake. He re-
garded the gaining OF money by honor
success.
Some six or seven years before the
beginning Of the civil war, Mr.. Robinson
became the owner Of almost all Of the
stock OF the GroCers' Bank of Boston.
He lived at New Bedford. but he came
TO Boston also every day To give atten-
ton to his large business interests. Al
though he was the swner OF at least
three-fourths OF the capital stock of the
not
to the employees OF the institution lie
rarely went to the bank. although | have
no doubt he had daily communication
with its president
In those days il was the custom Of
the hanks in Boston 10 close at > . clock.
Some pf them. ! understand, do that to
this day One afternoon Mr.. Robinson
called at the bank At about 30 O'Clock.
He had some important business which
had suddenly made it necessary for him
to consult with the president Of the bank.
He stood for d few moments in the outer
office. nobody having recognized him and
no one having asked him IL any service
could be performed for him.
His attention was attracted to the
younger clerks. whom ne could see
through the glass PARTITION. Th-y
were frOlicking. throwing chair cushions
around. and were making a great morse
they did not know him. At last he "stlle'i
through the little window at ,h- t"ller's
desk and asked if the president "r tn"
cashier were in. The clerks were dis
posed To- make fun Of him. and one "G
them was what nowadays we should "all
fresh Mr. Robinson looked at these
clerks for "A few minutes and then turned
on his heel and went aWav. He called
at the office Of a wealthy business man
Immediately. This man was both a per
sunal and A business friend. Tie sand
to this man that he wanted t. sell 1"
him his entire holdings Of the Gro"er%
Rank in a block. and ht wanted To do IL
Immediately. He explained that the Tea-
son was personal. and that IN" bank IT.
self was perfectly sound a. he had every
reason to believe \ price was greed
upon the contract made. and u" und"E-
standing was that uu the f"llOwIu= dav
Mr. Robinson and his friend should ="
to the rank To make a transfer Of III"
stock. They did go I" the bank sU"n
after the opening. and went into til
Office Of the president
Mr. Robinson said I hav" sold my
holdings in this hank Stock - my
friend have done 50 hera.-.' tN.r- =
an ute tack o. dis.rp.ine N this bank.
] hope you will MAJ" change "f the
entire star from tho president down
for no banking Institution an 1--we Nv
less the executive officers ma.ita
perfect discipline over tine employees ~
all times. whether during business h""!~
ur the rest Of ths dav. That tS a.. 7
have t" say. You IN imtgIr~ ;'.'
a<tonisnmaEt of the Pr.~I0r"- "f f' e
bank and the dismly of N" rl"'.~ VIZ"
they found that they had been lis "'' -
Gus to the man who "wn'd thu "a'.1