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The Commoner.
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VOLUME 5, NUMBER j,
A SERIOUS STUDY OF JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER
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f)np. of tho most interesting contributions to
American literature has just come from the press.
It is entitled "A Study of John D. Rockefeller,
the Wealthiest Man in the World."
The author is Marcus M. Brown, of Cleve
land, Ohio, who generously gives to his readers
' a somewhat lengthy biographical sketch of him
self, together with many high sounding tributes
paid to him by gentlemen having the honor of his
acquaintance.
In tho "foreword" Mr. Brown says that his
motives in the preparation of this boqk are entire
ly philanthropic, and are prompted by the "spon
taneous and universal sentiments of justice nat
ural to the human heart." A very laudable mo
tive, indeed. Having learned that that was the
motive of the author one reading this publication
would naturally expect to And some serious de
fense of the business methods employed by Mr.
Rockefeller. But such a search of this little vol
ume will bo made in vain. It is, in fact, largely
devoted to a presentation of the unquestionably
long list of contributions which Mr. Rockefeller
has made to educational and religious institu
tion. In the beginning the author says:
We shall in this book recite word for
word and letter for letter full paragraphs from
Miss Ida M. Tarbell's articles in McClure's
Magazine by which she tries to reflect harm
ful insinuations upon Mr. Rockefeller.
It is noticeable, however, that the "full para
graphs" from Miss Tarbell's writings do not re
late to the serious and the explicit charges Miss
Tarbell has made against the methods of the
Standard Oil company and the course Mr. Rocke
feller pursues in the" commercial world.
Mr. Brown sings the same old song. Herquotes
from a college professor and from other Hockefel
ler champions articles, the tendency of which -is
to justify tho Standard Oil Trust and its methods.
And then he surrounds these with some of the
most extravagant tributes to the "generosity" of
the subject of his sketch, pointing to the large
sums ho has contributed to schools and churches
and JtOr unknown beneficiaries as justification for
""the" unholy methods through which he has ac
quired his wealth. His defense is far from suc
cessful, but it is entirely characteristic of Rocke--feller
literature.
While as a justification for Mr. Rockefeller's
business methods Mr. Brown's production is a
failure, it is nevertheless interesting, and should
be read by every one wLo desires to obtain the
estimate which the average Rockefeller champion
places upon the popular intelligence. In the be
ginning, referring to Mr. Rockefeller Mr. Brown
says:
"With his name left out, the history of educa
tion and religion could not be written."
So characteristic of Rockefeller literature
are the statements of this particular article that
comment will be unnecessary. These statements
speak for themselves and they deserve wide pub
licity because there are some people who yet
imagine that when Coal Baron Baer proclaimed
himself and his fellow-monopolists to be "the
trustees of God" they did not expect the people to
give weight to the claim.
In one place in his book Mr. Brown says:
Mr. Rockefeller, however, is a unique
character; he stands absolutely alone. Every
age furnishes its masters its geniuses. The
, history of succeeding generations tells of
their scholars, their artists, their statesmen,
v and their heroes, but here is a man like aB
to whom the annals of time are silent, yet
what modesty, what wholesome public and
private example, what kindliness, what for
bearance, long-suffering and universal love
"has he! Not to speak oZ Christianity in par-
ticular, this country, nor even the world can
afford to lose such an object lesson for good,
and the general elevation of mankind, as this
man affords.
Again Mr. Brown says:
To say that he (Rockefeller) is the in
tellectual illuminator of the world nt wn
as the liberal dispeller of darkness by his
products, is not to speak of the greatest quali
ties of the man. .Inasmuch as moral great
ness is more fhan Intellectual; inasmuch as
it is more blessed to give than to "receive, so
tho greatness of Mr. Rockefeller is greater
than any of these.
Z Again Mr." Brown says:
He (Rockefeller) had few books, but ho
was shut up with what he had. Chlcfcat
.
ntnornr these was the Bible, which he knows
perfectly well; the spirit and principle of
which he understands from beginning to end;
and it controls much of his speech as well
as his life.
But Mr. Brown appears to be fearful lest
some man imagine that he- does not have as clear
an understanding of the people and of their in
tellectual capacity as he has of Mr. Rockefeller,
and so he says:
The people at large misunderstand and
misinterpret Mr. Rockefeller, not from any
wrong intent, but because it is not the prov
ince of the public to go very deeply into the
philosophy of things that do not concern them
personally; they have too much business of
their own, and so are easily misled by super
ficial appearances.
Again referring to Mr. Rockefeller Mr. Brown
says that he is averse to any controversy in justi-
fication of himself, adding:
He speaks in liis defense only by noble
deeds, and where they imply his own virtue'
he speaks even then not as one crying from
the housetops, but In his quiet and straight
forward way.
In the light of this statement one is tempted
to suggest that a great many people will be cur
ious to know how Author Brown learned about
all these Rockefeller contributions so as to be
able to make such an exact statement concerning
Mr. Rockefeller's "generosity?"
Mr. Brown quotes from B. T. Quilling, a -deacon.-in-
Mr. Rockefeller's church. Mr. Quilling
said:
He (Rockefeller) is condemned for his
connection with the Standard Oil company.
Let me say that I believe the Standard will
be recognized by future generations as one
of the greatest practical benefactions ''ever
given to mankind. I can remember when coal
oil cost 40 cents a gallon and it was so poor
and dangerous that thousands of deaths and
terrible injuries were caused by its explo
sion. The Standard has made it pure and
safe and brought the price down to a fourth
the old figure. The Standard has created bil
lions of wealth through the utilization of
waste in by-products. It has converted a
business which was utterly demoralized into
the most systematic commercial enterprise in
the world.
Again referring to Mr. Rockefeller Mr. Brown
says:
He is rigid with himself, and so easy
with- others. He is inclined to apologize for
being kinder than his associates. He does
merciful things as much under cover as oth
ers commit crimes. He says the noblest
words and does the noblest deeds with the
most delightful unconsciousness, and perfect
grace, of modesty. He is a total abstainer
from intoxicants and tobacco. He
is as patient as destiny.
Again speaking of Mr. Rockefeller Mr. Brown
says:
He is acquainted with no fear, except
the fear of God and of doing wrong. Hating
oppression, pitying the oppressed, seeking to
overcome, not men, but evil, he is the em
bodiment of the self denial, the courage, the
hope, the nobility of the world.
He speaks not to anger, not to accuse,
but to convince. He raises his hands not
to wound, but 'in benediction. He longs to
forgive. He loves to see the radiance of joy
on the cheek of those he has been able to
relieve. Mr. Rockefeller is the grandest
figure of the fiercest industrial combat that
the world has ever known. He will be one
of the greatest and sweetest memories of
mankind.
The concluding chapter of this fearfully and
wonderfully made book is entitled: "The Author
Pleads for Justice, Justice, Justice." He savs
"To write of the virtues of the good and thought
.fill is to me a labor of gratitude and love " Ho
says that John D. Rockefeller is "one of th
worthiest soldiers in the great battalion of men
who have been hated in many cases by those
icy desired to liberate, and despised by man?
they are anxious to save," and who "for theod
SJSSTpt accepted -'
Mr., Bjown dares, to ead; .upon, the outskirts"
of dangerous ground hv nnvincr. 4.T ,
all of Miss Ida M. Tarbell's "article an,?1
not found a single point that cMnoT
plained as necessary under the circi.Lt e
and that is not in keeping with genera 1? n Uce8
ed business customs and which Zlfl Tt
end to the public good." But it win bo J tho
that in this connection Mr. Brown say?.
will not permit of a detailed discussion here '
Mr. Brown started out with a good mnii
the motive of seeing that justice was dZ L
fellow being-and although he devotes lS n a
to his task, on the 145th page he ays t nttr
Rockefeller's motives may be defended but
pleads that he hasn't the space to devote to their
Then in conclusion we are told by Author
Brown that John D. -Rockefeller is "one of our
intellectual heroes;" that "as long as civiliza
tion exists he will be remembered, admired and
honored;" that "if to love others more than one's
self is goodness, John D. Rockefeller is good1"
that "if to live in advance of one's time, to bo
the first upon the ground in the direction of
progress, is greatness, John D. Rockefeller is
great;" that "if to follow one's faith and do one's
duty in the presence of threatening death is
heroic, John D. Rockefeller is a hero."
In one chapter Author Brown tells us that
Mr. Rockefeller "holds it to be his duty to bo
the most wholesome example possible;" and in
order to prove this point Mr. Brown says "in
the discharge of a duty of this kind I have known
him to sit upon a platform on a public occasion
of the Chicago University until he was over
come by fatigue and the heat, and had to be as
sisted to his lodgings." A very fine instance,
indeed, of self sacrifice on Mr. Rockefeller's
part! The American peoplo could wish that ho
would "hold it to be his duty to be the most
wholesome example possible" to such an extent
that .he would cease in his efforts to grind the
faces of the poor; that he would call a halt in
his course of pillage and conquest, and that ho
would set to his fellow men the "wholesome ex
ample" of one who is willing to live and let
live, and who believes that the service of God is
not confined to declamations in the class-room,
but is possible and necessary in every sphere
of life.
JJJ
AVENUES OF USEFULNESS TEACHING
Teaching is one of the occupations which the
race can not outgrow. Each generation must pass
through its school period and there is no more
important or honorable calling than that of tho
teacher. With some it is merely a stepping stono
to something else, with others it is a life business.
But whether it is temporary or permanent it
affords an opportunity for real service. From
the grade school up through the high school to
city, county or state superintendent is a line of
promotion which satisfies a laudable ambition, and
besides the public schools there are the colleges
and universities which are ever on the watch for
teacher who combine knowledge of books with
knowledge of human nature and whose enthusiasm
enables them to inspire a love of study in their
pupils.
To one who has reached the point in moral
development where he enjoys contributing to the
welfare of others the school room offers great
rewards. Few have such constant opportunity to
sow good seed in fruitful soil as the teacher and
he deals with those who are passing through tne
very springtime of life. Noble profession, great
with possibilities of usefulness!
JJJ
"WAY TOO HIGH"
The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, a republican
newspaper, says: "Mr. Bryan has written an
article on 'The Value of the Human Soul wiin
out suggesting that, on account of some cnronoiot
ical crime, the quotation should be marked aov
to 49 cents on the 'dollar." nr,t
It must be plain, even to the Globe-Deniocrar,
that 49 cents on the dollar is altogether too iiiy
a quotation on "the value of the human sow,
estimated by some of the eminent de"uV'
of national honor," who have given testimonj u
fore the insurance committee at New yorU' , be.
during recent presidential campaigns the uiu
Democrat assured its readers that these men iwt
patriots, and governed by their hostility to i
morality in every form and their, dislnteresuu
votion to good government.
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