The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1921-04-13
GIVE AWAY EVERY
DOLLAR HE HAS
EARNED in 16YRS.
Thomas E. Mitten, Founder of
Remarkable "Mitten Plan"
Says Money is Hurtful.

PhiladeIphia.-'tfc ties Just pam
white man. with the feelings a white
man ought to have"
In that sentence one uf his best
friends summoned up the philosophy
of Thomas + Mittcn, president of the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Go, cnain-
pion fighter for nickel iarc, founder
of the remarkable "Mit.cn plan" OF
cooperation between employees and
employer and just now hailed as the
only American business man who is
the money he earns over and above
his actual living expenses"
That is how the report went out
when Mr.. Mitten spoke the other
night at what he considered "a little
family gathering" the testimonial ban
quct given to him and to +. I. Stotes-
burg by the 10000 employees of the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co, as
part of the jubilee celebration of 10
years of industrial peace As quoted.
Mr.. Mitten's speech also included the
announcement that he was not going
to leave any money to his son, DIR. A.
A. Mitten. because he did not wish
to deprive the young man of the plea
sure of making moneyE
The actual facts of the case are yet
more remarkable
Has Given Away Salary
First. Thomas f. Mitten has given
away every dollar he has earned in
16 years since he was 40-and has
lived OH the income of the money he
was able to accumulate up to that
time Second the idea that Thomas
f.. Mtten's son should not spoil his
pleasure in making money by inherit
ing the money of his father" origin
ated with the boy himself and further
more he even now refused TO accept
any of his fathers money and lives
strictly within his salary
Mr.. Mitten is widowcr, and at 40
was worth over a million dollars.
Il tell the doctor, my son--and
think the thought originated with
him. the father interpolates, with
justitiable pride-'that | will never de-
prive him of the pleasure of making
Therefore. will never leave
him any But he has gone me one
better. and since coming back from
the service overseas he has insisted
that | give him no money now. and
so he is. perhaps. better able 10 keep
his contract with you"-President
Niittcn was speaking to his 10000 EN-
the only way that one can
keep i'll contact with another, that is,
by meeting you on even terms, in
that he has to figure his costs as "a
gainst his pay. Therefore. he has your
problem and can better sympathize
with YOU"
Young Mitten is one of the most
factors in working oIt his
fathers industrial ideas. since he is |
keenly in sympathy with them lie is
secretary of the Cooperative Council |
and is "all over the place" popping
up in this barn or that. rubbing
shoulders with employees. knowing
hem and known by them. Hes been |
trained to carry on all his fathers |
plans and he's just boiling over with
is the verdict.
Much Money "Hurtful'
"A great amount of money is a
lurtful influence" declared President
Mitten. I'VE. some of us, envy the |
nan with money.
1T makes me sad when | think how |
ong ago It was since | was 40 and |
lad accumulated all the money |
thought man needed to live on. | |
decided that | would not follow the
example OF the men ] saw piling up
'iches
Il decided that life and the struggle
vas against me. and so while | play
ID it as hard, perhaps. as any other, at
he close of each year for 16 years |
rave given away all of my earnings,
'nly trying to hold intact the money
had at 40. So that | don't have to |
worry about making money. 1t is of
10 interest to me- ! am therefore free
o enjoy the game and great deal