The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-15
REJECTS WEALTH FOR SERVICE

cosn unorthodox that he repudates when
he meets Lady Luck in the guse of million dollars or
such amount of wealth. He turns the opportunity
to enrich himself into of service. confounds every
body by the effacement of himself and sets ideal
for all Americans It is remarkable asound
ing than John D. Rockefeller giving away his millions for
beneficences for the whole human
Steenbocs is merely chemistry professor whom
fat income acquired by his scientific discovery might
be expected to be something quite welcome at least not
to be thrust aside True wealth might dull the edge Of
his scientific enthusiasm and energy and might ruin
promising In which the honor of contributions to
scientific knowledge and devices might be the chief
pensation. There has been nothing like 1t since Stein
metz that wizard of electricity informed the General
Electric that he had desire for salary that he
would work for pleasure and from time to time draw
enough cash for his needs-and they were modest
The Steenbock began with the discovery by the
young professor that matter rradiated by quartz
vapor lamp develops ultraviolet ray calcium
building qualities vtamn D. essential in development
Of bone in men and animals, and announced the
liberalization OF his patent.
vitamin D. or the sunlight vitamin. is contributor
toward Of ricketts, in children and animals steen-
book his discovery without profit to the Wisconsin
Alumni Research Foundation despite the fact that 1t
had uncalculated commercial possibilities The founda
ton is organization Of wealthy University of Wcon
sin alumni, developed at Steamboats, behes to protect
the interests of his fellow scientists school
public any invention discovery 1t furnished the
original funds for patents the Steenbock
sold rights its development in the food line
company.
All moneys derived from sale of these development
rights and Professor Gteenbock has admitted the posi-
bility that they might into Millions will be admin
sered by the foundation for further by
vcrsity Of Wisconsin scientists
Twelve food factories in Germany. several in England
and many in this country have been licensed develop
the food section of the discovery.
Steenbock won't take cent. Whatever money is sent
to him-and the other day he got check bearing five
ttgures-he turns over to the university.
"A scientist usually makes poor capitalist" he says
If commerclalzed my discoveries for my profit
It would the diversion of time to admins
tration. What use is money personally individual
he receives enough to provide the reasonable needs
desires Of himself 3nd his famiy?"
The university has tried to make Professor Steenbock
reconsider but he has always refused He asks only
profits 60 to finance further research For himself he
win continue to exist on a professors salary.
Suppose Professor Steenbock decided to use his
discovery to make fortune Suppose he had formed a
stock company INDUCED in heavy advertising campaigns
and rolled up colossal riches What then? Why man
would be famous. Success stories and insprational
terviews would center about him. He would have
try estates yachts all the para
phernaia of great wealth.
As it Is he subsiss the pay Of university chemist
and the great of his fellow countrymen hear
u him.
What does Ill of this prove? Nothing much perhaps
except that the greatest lie which age prosperity
has fosted is the fiction that money the only
mainspring that will drive men to do useful work.
Maybe it goes little further Maybe it shows that
money far from being the greatest thing in lifeas many
Id St lc k}xyo1V
The important thing is to find useful work and
do It to the best Of your ability II the monetary
Wards great well and good If not, doesn't matter
The big thing achievement Success isn't matter cf
dollars and cents matter what the dollar worshipers
may say.