Arizona republican., 1921-03-13
By FREDERIC J. HAskIN

VI WASHINGTON. March 3.-Is it a help or handicap in the pursuit of success and happiness to have wealth which you have inherited or otherwise own?
 Most of us would be glad to hazard tne handicaps and take the money. if any should come our way. And yet me precise effect which unearned money has on a man is subject much discussed and much differed about. And there is certainly a widespread belief that much money is dangerous To young man; that his success and happiness are most probable if he has 10 make his own way. surprisingly large number of people act upon this belief. For instance. within the last few weeks two such instances have come to the attention of the public. In one of these a young man, Charles Garland. refused to accept bequeet of quarter of million dollars. He gave no reason for his refusal but sim ply informed the trustees of the estate that he was not interested in the money and would not take it. In the other case. the will of multi million aire, Marshall Field was found to pro- vide that his grandsons should not have the full use of his estate until each had reached the age of 50 years.
 
 this action is taken to prevent the heirs from Heading useless lives of luxury and idleness"
 Whatever Garland's motive may have been in refusing a fortune Fields motive in tying his up is thus plainly announced. He believed that inherited wealth will make man useless. And the diligent newspaper reader might collect many other instances of rich men who have sought to protect their heirs from the dangers of wealth. and a few others of men and women who have themselves run away from wealth Of course. the general stam- pede is in the opposite direction, but these instances are signific.s,t
 The Ancient Question
 Furthermore. the whole question is significant because it brings up that ancient problem as to whether envi- ronment or heredity is the determining words, is it true. a we have generally been taught in this country. that if you just get a good education and work hard and mind yonr P's and Q's you can do almost anything? Or on the contrary. is it true that vour des- flny depends largely on the kind of brain you were born with and that Sou will get the .dncation and all the rest of the things you reed in spite of almost any handicap oe mere circum- stances.
 This question has been debated by the millions of words. and yet it has never been anywhere near settled The reason seems to be that, while there has been much talk. there has been little investigation. Our psychologists are just beginning to investigate such practical and vital questions as this We may expect some real light on the question in the next few years.
 Alfred RuSse11 WaJlooa tl,a f,;a,,I and follower Of Darwin was one who firmly believed that wealth was curse to young man. and that inher- itance of wealth should be done away With Frank Harris is another man. of undoubted intelligence who is fond of making the same assertion. But in hoth cases it is merely assertion hacked Up by little theorizing Let son-s investigator gather all possible irfdances of young men who have in- e<Srtted money, let him find out just %1xhat each one accomplished. and trace money had on their careers. Such man would be worth listening to. be- cause he would have some evidence as we'll as argument to offer
 Meantime, it Is pretty clear that we believe that we want to believe It is comforting to think that we may achieve much If we only get a good education and work hard-tl,at these factors are more important than her edity. It is also comforting for those or us who have no mones to believe that we have thereby escaped a curse and are happier and more successful than we would have been if we had inherited millions
 Study of Royalty
 The nearest thing to a scientific study of the question which we can find is book by Frederick sAdams Woods on .Heredity and Royalty" MT