South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-05
LEAVING 4 FORTUNE.

Newspapers and individuals. quite generally. have
criticised the fact that when William Rockefeller
did he gave no part OF his two hundred millions TO
charity.
They make the suggestion that failure TO dstrib-
uts largess 10 the public indicates some fault Of
mind or heart
But why should man at death do something
that ne had no special interest in during his life?
Jas matter Of fact the disposition of the Rock
efeller fortune for it was turned his chill
dren. indicates how little Of ownership is in the
tite TO many millions.
what the late Mr.. Rockefeller really owned
tha few dollars which he used. The vast accumu-
iation was not his at all. for it nothing to
hin.
THE government because IT needs money and
because there Is growing sentiment against
wealth save that which IS earned will step in and
take some sixty Of the hundred millions as
Inheritance tax
The rest goes to his daughters who married men
WHO already have more millions than they
send and upon which the interest and dividends
lar in excess of any personal use.
What happens is that the certificates to oil and
blbk and railroad stock will he turned over to the
employees Of these husbands who viii watch for
dividend DAYS and then deposit these dollars with
Others taken from similar sources
IRockefeIIer was a man of comparatively simple
tastes.
he could ride in only one automobile time SO
IL meant nothing to him that he might pur-
chased a hundred. He could sleep in bed The
others he owned meant nothing to him
The amount OF food that ne able to assimilate
was exactly that of any other who passes his
eightieth birthday.
These were the things that he really left when he
died not the vast and unthinkable fortune which is
passed along to others.
THAT there should be any criticism for failure to
epdow hospitals for the and tlse unfortunate.
mat he left nothing to Libraries that ne dreamed
no dream OF perpetuating his fame by carving his
name on some huge pile Of stone only indicates
expectation on the public for gifts
II there be any responsibility moral otherwise.
for such gifts public sentiment should rise to the
point where they demanded rights
pected as charity.
These dollars which were listed in his name are
working today exactly they did month ago. His
passing has changed the product OF an oil we'll
and has not reduced % a single gallon the output
o refinery. No engine stands idle railway
track Of any line OF which he director.
Great wealth really only the power OF
direction. It may be so huge TO have personal
meaning
Taking out huge chunks to satisfy some craving
Ger eternal memory might be a blow to the people
who would receive It's benehts-for after ali,
own. really own. but little. only the to which
dollars put count
Expecting charities is really most undemocratc
ipipulse the emotion which ancestors in
the days Of the feuda lords and serfs felt when they
watched for the passing OF their the
signal for distribution Of favors.
a world built upon the private inclinations Of its
powerful is a rather unstable thing.
"A land which is made Of men and women who
expect nothing EXCEPT that which is gained by their
own efforts is quite likely to be not only happy but
a very alert and progressive nation.