The New York herald., 1922-09-27
ROCKEFELLER HAPPY
OVER 81 A WEEK JOB
Went to Work Just 81
Years Ago and Now He
Celebrates.
VICTORIOUS AT GOLF
Tells POcanticO Guests How
He Started Little Book
to Show Expenses.
SOON OWNED A BUSINESS
Was Commission Merchant
When Under 20 and Oil Man
Three Years Later.
SOON OWNED A BUSINESS

John d. Rockefeller celebrated yes
terday his most joyful holiday Of the
year--the anniversary of the day he
got his first job. The flag was waving
high on the pole beside his home ~
Pocantico Hills in honor of the day
sixty-seven years ago when after
long search he at last found work.
Mr. Rockefeller spent the day as
usual, answering letters, considering
details Of the benevolent work. in
which he is interested and enjoying
a game of golf and an automobile ride.
The golf game was a foursome at
nine holes. Mr.. Rockefeller could have
played eighteen holes just as easily,
but that would have been contrary to
his rule OF never trying 10 do every
thing in one day. His first drive sailed
fairly down the fairway half the dis
tance to the green.
Those who played with him said that
they had not seen him make so many
long and accurate shots for several
weeks; il has been often remarked
that he had about the slowest back
swing in America. and that when he
brings the club down he never misses
the ball
That was the way Mr.. Rockefeller
played. and now and then, when he
made a particularly skillful shot be
waved his club and chuckled:
"Oh, any old thing will do for US
His side won, up and to play.
Sought Ont Digger BusinesscS.
Mr.. Rockefeller entertained q few
friends at luncheon and told some Of
the incidents of the memorable day
when he had finished his studies In the
Cleveland High School at the end of
June, 1865. He spent all the next
month and half of August studying
bookkeeping and other branches in a
business college. completing a course
that usually required three monthsrsnes
Then he set out TO look for work be-
ginning at s O'Clock every morning
stopping at noon for dinner and search
ing again from o'clock in the after
noon until o. lie uiu not DotIeT Win
retail stores, hut went to wholesale
stores banks and railroad offices. He
was then sixteen.
Everywhere he went he asked very
politely If they wouldn't like to hire
boy who knew how to keep books. and
every man he asked answered NO" as
Il was a panic year in business. He
exhausted all the likely places in town
In a week but on the next Monday
morning he began again at the begin
ming and went right down the line.
lake city in midsummer Is about
as hot as anything this side OF Yuma,
but the boy kept up his search for six
weeks without ccasing. the hot pave
ments made his feet sore, but he kent
right on.
Worked In Looking for Work.
why. no. | wasn't discouraged" Mr..
Rockefeller answered the question OF one
of his guests. II never thought OF OBJ
staclee. was already at work looking
for work"
Just sixty-seven years before he ad-
dressed his ball on the sixth tee this
morning, John D. Rockefeller met man
in wholesale produce commission
house beside Lake Erie. who told him
"he might come back after donner and
see" The boy walked out with all the
dignity he could master, but when he
got around the corner he skipped and
ran all the way home. After dinner
he went back, and the commission mer-
chant marched him up 70 tall desk
and put him to work on the books.
on New Years eve, after WORKING
three months four days and a half he
drew his pay in full. $50.
Ii was during this period that the boy
began to keep ledger A-the little book
let in which he entered an accurate
record or every cent he received and
every cent he paid out. That little book
shows that the boy earning less than 81
n week gave every week from 10 cents
to 81 for church and Sunday school
work. for missions and help to the poor.
II might be called the earliest trace OF
the Rockefeller Foundation and the other
benevolent organizations.
For three years and half young
Rockefeller worked for the commission
firm. the only employers he ever had.
Then he went into the produce. commits
sion business on hfs own account. though
he was not yet 20. Three years later
he and his partners began In the busi-
ness of refining petroleum. But Il II
said that Mr. Rockefeller has never cele-
brated any of his triumphs In petroleum
with half the gusto with which he re-
calls that happy day on which he got