South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-01-08
Life Of EdWdrd
ROR-HiS Work
CONTINUED from page 49,


az ne has done: make you the world
a bit more beautiful and better be-
cause YOU have been in It," This
was the mothers message which
guided the lives OF. not only her chill
dren but OF her grandchildren as
we'll. as the life OF Edward Box has
proved. In an editorial capacity and
in his civic life he has unquestion-
ably put forth an earnest effort 20
q make the world a bit more beauu-
ful because ne has been in it,
From his home on the Island OF
Nitengales. Edward Bok's father
moved 20 the Dutch mainland where,
for many years. he prospered. IN
fortunate investments. however, rob
bed him OF his prosperity and with
his wife and two sons, he came 10
the promised land, America, 10 start
anew. The family settled in Brook
Ivn where the two boys, understand
ing not word 81 English, were
placed in school.-and the process
81 Americanization began.
The reimbursement 10 life in new
country was difficult for the elder
Rok and the family fortune did not
flourish. The sturdy pioneering stock
from which the boys came now man
ifested itself. and they started 20
work after school at any task that
would bring them honest money
their goal 70 place their mother
again I'm the position Of ease she had
once enjoyed and their guiding prin-
clple 70 do their best AZ each task
undertaken.
AT the age of IS Edward left
school and from that time on the
process OF his self education is as
unique as IL is interesting, for II
took the form Of the collecting of
autograph letters from prominent
men and women The correspond
cuce led 20 meetings where the boy,
whose struggle for education inter-
ested them, was graciOusly received
10y many celebrities who visited New
York.
Mr.. Roks innate ability % COM
rnerciaIize his ideas led to many sue
cessfui undertakings, and profting
10y experience and observation, he
progressed steadily Gradually he
became conscious that Every ave-
nue. leading TO success was wide open
and certainly not Over-peOpled. That
more than he was paid for, he found
10 trying 20 solve the problem of
how little they could do for the pay
received" He accepted the theory
that IMAM gets out of this world
about what ne works for and that
became the rule Of his life
II was in 1889 that Mr.. Box be-
came editor Of The Ladies Home
Journal, and during his so years in
the editors chair, he saw the circu-
lation OF the magazine grow 10
enormous proportions, until, at the
time his resignation took effect in
September. 1919. the edition of two
million copies was Over-sold, rec
ord never before achieved by any
magazine.
The editors success was due
largely TO his ability 70 gauge public
psychology. He determined what
the public wanted and then gave it
10 his readers, only on a higher plane
than they asked. Mr.. Box cOnsid
ers the service which he built up be
hind the periodical one Of its great
est assets. for in this way have thou
sands Of people been helped, in
confidential manner in problems OF
every sort. Throughout his editor
ship he spared neither effort nor
money TO give the best Of everything
music, art. literature, - and
through his wide acquaintance many
prominent men and women contrib
uted 20 The Ladies' Home Journal.
At the age OF IS Mr.. Box retired
from active business with success
lying easily upon him" But he
had learned that The Great Advep-
ture or Life is something more than
material work" and he determined
10 retire before his period OF useful
ness had passed. He had for years
been preparing. mentally and finan-
cislly. for this step. fulfilling his be-
lief that a man can live full-square
Nfe only when he divides IL into
three parts: that of education; that
rf achievement; and that OF service
90 others. II was upon this third
period that he had prepared TO en-
bark, and IN ~ ne was making real
the ideal. a principle in which he
las great faith. for he says: 1T Is
through the idealist only that the
world Will see a new and clear vision
81 what IS right. Where would the
human race be n Il were not for the
ideals of men? And idealism he
Ironounces one Of the greatest traits
iu the American character.
The autobiography is rich with
sketches Of statesmen. with auto
graph letters and anecdotes about
men and women Of international
reputation But perhaps richest of
all. IS Mr.. Bok's message 10 the
American people OF how ana where
America fell short I'm his own expert
eBce and where she IS falling short
with others.
Mr.. Box mentions Carelessne ss in
The teaching OF English In the pub
lie schools. wastefulness, lack OF
thorouEhneSs, disrespeCt for law and
those appointed 20 enforce 10. and
lack or education IN the political
system as cardinal faults. and right
Is suggests that many native born
need AmeTIcaniZation as sadly as do
those who are strangers 20 us. But
he concludes
Whatever Shortcomings I may have
found during my 5O-year period OF
AmericanizatiOn; however America
may have failed 10 help my transi-
ton from a foreigner into an Amer
lean, I owe 20 her the most priceless
Eift that any nation can offer. and
that Is opportunity. To work in
America and for America is he
strong impulse that my Americaniza-
ion has made the driving power OF
nay life And 1 ask no greater priv
uege than 20 be allowed 20 see my
potential America become actual
not faultless but less faulty.
IL is part in trying 20 shape that
America, and an opportunity 20 work
IA thst America when II comes. that