Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-07-10
.l0HND., Smiling,
.P0SESFORP|CTURES
on King, 80, Gracious to News
paper Photographers at
Church
HAVE TO ATTEND SERVICE

New York, July 1O.-Three news
photographers went from New York to
Tsrrytown bright and early yesterday
morning with instructions not to come
back without pictures Of John u. Rookie
Teller who. on the day after his eighty
third birthday anniversary, was due TO
make his usual Sunday appearance at
the New Community Church.
They did not start northward in very
hopeful mood. for John ID. Rockefeller
is notoriously camera shy and almost
as difficult to photograph as he is to
interview.
The point Of the story is that, dis
couraged as they started, they came
back with their magazines crammed
with negatives showing John II. Rocke-
feller, octogenarian plus. oil king. coun =.
try squire. churchgoer. in variety OF
poses. assumed especially for them. as
sumed doci'ely and gcnially.
But they paid. and this was the man.
ner of their paying =,
Their apparatus unslung and all
ready for instant action. the three
modified at the tonneau door when Mr..
Rockefeller stepped from his car a lit
tle after 10 o'clock in the morning.
Had to Attend Services
"Now. Mr.. Rockefeller" said they
in chorus, whccdling, Just one picture,
please?"
The scanned. deeply lined face was
more creased than ever as the subject
Of their attentions smiled and beamed,
little crinkly lines puckering out from
those blue eyes that can be so hard
on occasion and that were so genial just
then. a thin hand was waved in n
gesture that conveyed at once cntreaty,
warning and command and tho hope
full expressions on three eager faces
faded away, only to revive as gentle
voice said
Not now. boys. Wait until after
church. But do come in and attend the
services
After he had been conducted to his
own pew above the chanccl rail. Mr..
Rockefeller twisted around to make sure
that his three recruits were in their
places and were sticking.
The photographers stayed until the
end. as quiet as mice IN their pew. but
they were among the first to act upon
the instant for departure. They were
outside and unlimbcring almost before
others were stirring. But they had still
more to learn about the New Commu :
"ty Snurcn ana It's ways.
Handshaking All Around
After n custom Of which the wor
shippers are rather fond, DIR. Nelson
made his way to the door. There the
whole congregation gathered. exchang-
ing handshakes with the rector and
greetings with each other. Mr.. Rookie
feller was in the thick of it, smiling
and saying thank you over and over
as his friends and ncighbors told him
how pleased they were at the way he
withstood the onslaughts of time.
Not until that exemplifcation OF the
community spirit from which the church
had chosen its name, was at end ant
the congregation was whirling away ir
motors or wandering over the roads II
search Of Sunday dinners, did Mr.
Rockefeller come out.
But when he did appear, he who ha
refused to pose Il thousand times, re
membered his word and made not tn,
slightest demur.
The aged face was still crinklcd will
smiles and as fast as the trio VIII,
had done his bidding and attended di
vine worship. directed, Mr.. Rockefeller
turned this way and that, lifted an,
lowered his head and allowed himsel
to be snapped and snapped. Not unit
the cameras had their fill did the ses
sion end as the much photographed sub
ject climbed into his motor, looking ex
ceedinEly pleased with himself and ever
one else.
As he departed there was much com
ment on his good spirits and the bright
ness Of eyes which disappeared benin
big motor goggles before the car Sc
out at sedate pace. And some note
with what great care Mr.. Rockefelle
guarded himself against those sudde
chills so dangerous to men Of his age
He seemed to ignore the bright summe
weather and wore heavy, thick. sole
shoes, a leather motor vest and q
overcoat.