The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-10-14
JOHN D. LIVES
LIKE A HERMIT
Richest Man in the World No
Longer Interested in Max
ing Money.
Chief JOY IN PLAYING GOLF
Responsibility for the Future Care of
the Rockefeller Fortune Is in the
Hands of John D.. Jr., and
Selected Trustees

New York.-The richest man in the
world is no longer interested in max
ing money.
More than that, he is not overly
concerned with what becomes of the
greatest single fortune ever accumu-
lated, although he hopes it may he
usen for good purposes.
John d. Rockefeller, now travelling
toward his eighty-second milestone of
life. is a hermit. Surrounded by few
faithful servants, the man who has
piled up millions upon millions until
today he IS worth billion of dollars
"a thousand millions-fnds no hap
piness in money or the retention of it.
His chief JOY in life is playing golf
and he INDUCES that pleasure from
an hour and half to two hours every
day the weather permits.
Secluded in his Pocantico Hills
New York; estate, with only a few
intimate cronies to chat with at infre-
quent intervals. and never seeing a
casual caller, the man who was oil
king-for he no longer wears the title
has turned contemplative, philosoph-
zeal and disinterested in worldly af-
fairs
No Longer Interested.
He no longer devotes himself to the
worries incidental to possessing such
a vast fortune-the responsibility to-
day for the future care of the Rookie
Teller fortune is upon the shoulders
of John D., Jr.. and selected trustees.
But this change in direction and
control of the Rockefeller wealth is
due in no sense to the age, mental
or physical incapacity one might link
with so aged a man as John D., Sr.
'Air. Rockefeller, ST., is not senile,"
stated Ivy Lee, publicity director for
the Rockefeller interests. His health
is excellent. But he simply has with
drawn from the world.
"He does not care to see visitors.
Mr.. Rockefeller reads quite a bit
and spends much of his time in refiec-
ton. He has become philosophical, but
his interest in things of the world has
waned.
Watches Requests.
Naturally he is interested in his be-
quests to various projects he has fos-
tered, such as the Rockefeller Founda- |
ton and other broad constructive work. |
He is far more interested in that than |
in acquiring further money.
"But he is not so wrapped up in |
the details of his benefactions as you |
might imagine.
For instance, members of the |
Rockefeller Education board, COM
orising fifteen of the most eminent ed |
lcators in America, held meeting at |
Lakewood, N. j., where Mr. Rookie |
Teller has a summer home. The edu- |
.ators thought their benefac tor might |
attend meeting, so extended him an |
invitation. He ignored it. All he
Wished to know was whether the work
vas going ahead as intended and.
'ealizing it was in capable hands. de-
dared he was not interested in de-
ails. But he did invite couple Of
he board members whom he had
,nown personally for many years to
ound of golf with him.
Mr.. Rockefeller shrinks from fur
her publicity. I just want to be left
lone to my own thoughts he ex-
'lains. Why should the world bother
bout an old man like me-?
"Mr Rockefeller realizes he has
My a few more wears to live, and |
e wants no futher trouble with any
ody."
Old John D." has had a quiet |
hough enjoyable summer at Pocantico
ILLS, occasionally taking auto rides
Nth attendants. He attends church |
egularly every Sunday. +