The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-04-03
RANDOLPH ROSE, JR, NATIVE OF
ATLANTA, GA, THE YOUNGEST COTTON
BROKER; HAS A REMARKABLE RECORD

tefeSuuS story ol one Ol -Ntlttilld ) ma
tive sons, Randolph Rose, Jr., whose
success can well be an inspiration TO
all;
This is in a marked degree the era of
successful young men in business, and
it is worth a passing thought that the
youngest cotton broker in Wall street
does the largest volume of business on
the American Cotton and Grain Elk.
change. He is Randolph Rose, Jr., a
native of Atlanta, Ga, whose paternal
and maternal grandfathers both fought
in the Confederate army.
The young man in politics, the young
man in war, the young man in explora-
ton and adventure-these are not new
types. There was Mr.. Pitt, prime
minister in his early twentics: Napol-
con, a conqueror before he was thirty,
Stanley, who went in search of Living
ston before he had reached middle life.
The list could be multiplied. But in
business we are accustomed to asso-
ciate success with length of days, 1t
is commonplace saying that Ameri-
I cans generally are too old to enjoy their
wealth after they have accumulated
it, and to regard gray hairs as a neces-
sary condition to sound businass judg-
ment But there is a precoc.ty Of the
counting house, as well as precocity
of the forum or the field. although il
is by no means as common in the ex
periences Of men.
Age Easily Computed
The age of Mr.. Rose. who personal
ltr hon 1I.ts Of al
of cotton made each day on this EX-
N change, is easily computed, and the
basis Of computation is alike crcditable
to his business instinct and his pa
trotic impulse. The record is not with
out its tincture of romance, as well as
its element of disappointment. When
the country went to war Mr.. Rose was
> one of the first to offer his services,
and because of his training in a mill
tary school he was soon sent to an Of
ficers' training camp, where he made
rapid and honorable progress.
But he did not finish the course.
Three days before the date set for dis
tributing commissions it was discover
ed that he was not old enough to qualify
as an officer under the law. Meantime
feet. and he was not included. More
over there was at the time a demand
for skilled and energetic service at
home, which, however distasteful tol
the young American who had other
plans, was just as important to sue
cessful prosecution of the war.
An 84-HOur Week
He entered the service of the Gulf
Production Company in the oil fields Of |
Texas as a tool dresser-the hardest |
work in the industry. The Production |
company was working under a war
speed schedule, and the job to which |
he had assigned himself called for
every ounce of strength young Ame-
rican could give to it. His hours were
from midnight until noon, seven days
week, and he stuck to it with the
same application that he had shown as
a student for four years at the Culver
Military Academy, where he made the
track team, played football and attain
ed more than local academic note as
a wrestler.
Mr.. Rose has been a wrestler all his
life, not only in "a physical sense, but
in the broader field. He grew up in
commercial atmosphere. and was
early fitted TO wrestle with its prob.
lens. :
The family was living in Chatta-
nooga. Tenn. when young Rose matri-
culated in the military academy where
he remained four fears, and where he
learned those lessons of self-disciphne
and conformity to high standards
which he brings to bear in his daily
business life.
0vercOmes Obstacles
Coming to New York after the war
he entered at once upon his career as
cotton broker. We all know the course
of cotton since that time. Its varia-
tions, its fluctuations, are part of
the commercial and agricultural his
tory Of the country; and the conditions
attending the market from day to day
have discouraged many an older opera
tor than Mr.. Rose. Difficulties did not
discourage him and uncertainties were
but an incentive to effort. For long
periods it was necessary to solve new
problems daily. The personal equation
counted. his genius for adjusting him
self and his firm TO conditions that
were changing almost from day 10 day
spelled success. He attracted business
and was soon not only in the front
rank. but was its most conspicuous
figure. His success was no accident
due TO combination of circumstances.
During the war and Immediately there.
after It was easy for anybody with a
little capital and fair business judg-
ment to make money. This is not true 4
today, and it has not been for relatively
u long time, and especially in the cot
ton market. The outlook has been dis
couraging to men without vision; 1t Is
discouraging now. No other American
product of farm or factory has received
severer treatment in the process Of re-
articuhting the industries Of the coun-
try on u peace basis. The price az
times has fallen below the cost Of pro.
dueton, misfortune due In large mea-
sure TO the lack OF funds in Europe
and the inability Of domestic concerns
10 extend long term credits abroad.
Not Due 10 Luck
1t has been a period In which much,
all in fact. depends upon foresight and
good business judgment. And this
operator has both. He derives real plea.
sure from the solution of difficult prob
lens. and doubtless is happier in his
work than he would be II the sailing
We're over "A calmer sea-.
The success OF the Rose firm must
be asoribed not to luck. but to pluck
and an aggressive determination TO
overcome every obstacle.
He himself explains the status OF his
business today in "A few simple words.
II is due. he says, to the fact that tho
customer Is given real personal service.
All reports Of executions are handled
very speedily The firm Of Rose &
Son is today the largest odd-lot cotton
house In the world. The senior mom-