Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-18
MEN AND MONEY
By NJ. S. Rukeyser.
tCopyright. 1927

Under the rules of the New York
stock Exchange, no member Arm Is
permitted to represent to the public
that it can render services which
other firms cannot,
Accordingly in the competition for
me patronage of spectators and IN
VestorS. the competition is keen.
Personality and friendships are
usually determining factor. Brokers
frequently lavishly entertain big OPP
orators in order to win their pat
ronaRe.
Last Saturday young conner in
wall Street planned to take lunch
with young lady. He telephoned
her to say that his senior partner
had requested him to entertain
big ore man from the Middle West
and asked her II he might bring him
TO join the luncheon. Being sensible,
she Immediately fell in with the plans
and began to make constructive sug-
gestions. Her first recommendation
was that the luncheon take place at
the Ritz Carlton Hotel
The boy friend asked the girl to
help him by vamping the butter and
egg man from Chicago. The Middle
Westerner was tell and stout. His
hdnhCJN SCNHith ANUt hhthE
the rolls. he gave the waiter a dollar
and instructed him to bring corn
bread.
Pays Much Attention.
The wise, sophisticated and beau
tiful miss from New York over
whelmed the Chicagoan with atten-
tions. She was master of arts in
political science, but her higher edu-
cation had not dampened her ardor
nor tempered her vivacity. 1t was
great lark for her to help her friend
by fiattering the crude millionaire.
The guest seemed interested, but his
attitude was in doubt until he cas-
ually remarked to the young broker.
Buy me 1000 shares of steel Mon
iay at the opening"
The luncheon was over. and the Mid
die Westerner promised to telephone
the young lady to make another ap-
pointment.
That night the young broker called.
and revealed that the alleged Middle.
WeSterner was not prospective Gus.
toner. as represented. but was the
head of the New York brokerage firm.
Time is important in business un-
dertakings.
Sometimes being ahead of the times
is almost as hazardous as tagging be
n1nn the procession.
Russian Trading Firm.
Immediately after the armistice
Richard Martens. Russian, who be-
fore the revolution was head of the
largest foreign trading Arm in Russia,
with offices in as cities throughout the
world. established a new international
trading firm with headquarters in
New York. after his Russian property
had been seized by the Soviets.
The Russian, however, after careful
study OF the European situa ton. reach
ed the pessimistic conclusion that CON
ditions were not suitable for trading.
While other export houses. which later
met bitter disappointments, continued
optimistic. he prophesied with remark
able vision the series of collapses Of
monetary systems which subsequently
took place. He liquidated his business
more than seven years ago. Now trad
ing conditions are clearing up again,
and farsighted international bankers
predict that within Ave years even
Russia will be financed from New
York.
Mr.. Martens, however, has turned
his energies TO domestic problems. He
migrated to California. AS a new
conner he found difficulty In getting
systematic information about oppor
tunities there for business careers and
for home.building. Accordingly. he
has launched the California Oppor.
tunities, Inc, az a clearing house in
San Francisco of information for per-
sons who are interested in purchasing
land or settling In California.
General Clearing House.
In discussing his new project, Mr..
Martens said: California, more than
any other part of the United States,
today depends for its growth and de-
velopment on the influx of people
from other parts of the United States
as well a. from Europe. Too little
attention has always been given to
the decided climatic differences in the
various sections. which is especially
noticeable when comparison is
drawn between the Valley and the
Coast Line In too many instances
people coming from the northern sec
tons of Europe or the United States
are directed to the Valley, whereas
they should have been directed to the
Coast Line: or, people who come from
the southern parts of Europe or the
warmer sections of the United States
have been directed to the Coast Line
district, whereas they would have
been az well, If not better, situated in
the Valley.
THE result Ia that there In not
only continuous moving population
in California. but also, as l observed
In my travels, there Is a very great
number of people who are knocking
California instead of boosting 1t,
largely because Of the misdirection of
individuals who go to the wrong part
of the State"
Mr.. Martens new agency will under
take to become the central clearing
house for information about real es-
tate and business opportunities, mort
cages and mining properties-to be
friend in need to the uninitiated
1t is interesting to learn that not
all the Russian emigres are serving
as walters in Russian tea rooms.