Evening star., 1935-11-24

Croesus and then prodigally dispersed
/ almost all his riches is remembered
principally by generation whose orbit
centered around Spanish American
War days.
Whole books have been written tc
explain Andrew Carnegie and his
biographers do not always agree, some
times for obvious reasons. But his
engaging habit of self-revelation makes
certain facts incontrovertible Most OF
his life was dominated by the will
and the ability-to make money. He
accomplished his goal beyond possibly
his own widest dreams. Then he
deliberately about-faced and as de-
| terminedly gave his money away. Not
indiscriminately, Of course. but as
methodically as he had gathered it.
for purposes he deemed to- the greatest
good of his fellow men.
Carnegie embodied the ideal of rug
ged individuahsrn, for although he
depended heavily upon the men OF
ability he gathered about him, his
will was law. Still, as he ascended
his golden ladder, he gladly allowed
others to come part way with him
He took greatest pride in the creation
of some 40 young millionaires, his
partners"
Unable to obtain more than meager
formal education in his youth, Carne-
gle later wooed culture and he be-
leved the greatest measure of mass
education could be achieved through
making books readily available to all.
Hence his sprinkling of the land with
libraries.
HE KNEW the value of acquaint-
ance with the mighty in many
walks of life and he cultivated in all
possible ways the friendship of celeb
rites at home and abroad. He had a
genial nature and was always good
company unless, perhaps, his purpose
of gain was crossed. But he was a
hard tsskmaster with the human tools
by which he amassed his stupendous
fortune and ruthless in his battles with
competitors.
That he was assailed by inner con-
flicts was most strikingly revealed after
his death when there came to light a
little homily he had penned half
century before:
"Thirty-three and an income Of
$4,000 per annum! BY this time two
years I can so arrange all my business
as to secure at least $4,000 per an
mum. Beyond this never earn, make
no effort to increase fortune but spend
the surplus each year for benevolent
purposes. Cast side business forever,
except for others. Settle in oxford
and get thorough education, making
the acquaintance of literary men
this will take three years active work.
Pay special attention to speaking in
public. Settle then in London and
purchase controlling interest in some
newspaper or live review and give the
general management of it attention,
taking part in public matters, espe-
cially those connected with education
and improvement of the poorer classes.
Man must have an idol-the amass-
ing of wealth is one of the worst
species of idolatry-no idol more de-
basing than tb~ worship of money.
Whatever engage in I must push in
-ordinately; therefore should be most
careful to choose that life which will
be the most elevating in its character
To continue much longer overwhelmed
by business care and with most of my
thoughts wholly upon the way to make
more money in the shortest time, must
degrade me beyond hope of permanent
recovery. I will resign business at IS,
but during the ensuing two years I
wish to spend the afternoons in re-
ceiving instruction and in reading
Systematically"
But the author of those pious lines
did not follow that program at that
time, although he needed some OF its
precepts at a much later date.