Smyrna times., 1921-11-23

SO have died, independent, wealthy
and one very rich. Before the war
France was a nation of savers-bond
buyers; Germany nation of investors
] need make no further comment, we
know who were our competitors.
] noticed not long ago an article
from the Saturday Evening Post en-
titled "The Clerk Who Isn't Young"
| can only give synopsis. Well call
him John Smith, Smith is now 46
years of age, wears spectacles, has a
few gray hairs, somewhat round
shOuldered from his 27 years of office
work His firm a large corporation .
connected with railway interest went /
out of business few months ago. /
Smith has been and is still looking for
a job. His years, his gray hairs, put
barrier in his way. Everywhere ne |
is told "YOu are too old, we only hire |
young men," Now Smith received a
fair salary; he was fairly educated;
desired to move in fair society; invited !
his friends to dinner once in a while |
and attended the theatre at times. He |
save little. It's now all gone; he has |
moved out of the small but cozy house
on Park street into a few rooms in a
cheaper location. John Smith is a
most pathetic figure. They say he
was eXtravagant-no, Smith was ex-
plotted. You could not make him be-
lieVe that but he was. John Smith
was taught to save his pennies, when
a child and put them into the bank.
As he grew older he noted the maga-
zines warned against speculation-ad-
vising bonds. This is half wrong and
half right. Save something. Make
that money earn it's value. This illus
trates the same and rental value of
money. | want to call your attention
to the save and earning power. This
| get from the Illustrated World. Geo.
H. Cushing, noted financier, cites the
case of Mr.. H. +. Everett, of Cleve-
land, Ohio, who started work on a sal
ary of $50 per month, saved SIS, re-
tired worth $500,000. Mr.. Everett
says, al saved $3.50, the first year,
enough to buy two shares in Cleveland
Company. 1t was paying more than
per cent. When | had saved some
more | took my stock to the bank and
borrowed some money and put it along
with what | had saved and bought
some more stock. My stock was pay
ing me $35 a year. was paying the
bank five dollars per year interest.
This with my savings soon paid off my
loan, then | saved more money and
repeated the operation" l thought
that fine receipt for fortune and
complete vindicatiOn of the fact that
money is worth more than per cent
to per cent.
Now sir, this led me to investigate
the profits made by some of the big
business ideas whose names we are ali
familiar with. Here are a few, $400
in original stock of BOrden's Conden-
sed Milk, worth today $4,000. $500
in Shredded Wheat, today $4,000. The
same amount in Royal Baking Powder
$4,000. $500 in Eastman's Kodak to-
day 100000; $1,000 in WOolworth Is
years ago worth today $4,000. $1,000
in Kresge today $4,000. $1,000 III
United Cigars today $12O,OOO while
many automobile stocks have shown
greater returns.
Mr.. Ford testified before a special
committee that eight people owned the
common stock. The capital was $2,-
100000; they did business that year
of seventy to eighty millions, profits
$25,000,000. Now if this profit, this
opportunity along with many, many
others, had been distributed to the
people what a different tale it would
tell in the lives of the 81 who died de-
pendent. What the people need is a
chance to share in the enormous prof
its of business.
There are opportunities opening and
at hand, if sought for that will no
doubt be as remunerative as those of
the past. If we will look for the ear
marks of honesty, efficiency of manage
ment and truth, coupled with tangible
assets and ample security, we can run
no risk. | am no get rich quicker, no
advocate of hot air and non-tangible
assets, am only asking that we get
in the capatilistic class and enjoy
some of their profits.
Yours truly,