Business: Pure, Green Greed

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Men of wealth were startled last week by a newspaper interview issued by Charles R. Flint, 77-year- old, white-whiskered Manhattan multimillionaire, honeymooning in London with the second Mrs. Flint.

Mr. Flint was asked why a man like himself, "after he has amassed millions, goes on increasing his collection instead of retiring and en- joying life." Mr. Flint replied: "There is only one reason. Greed!" The interviewer protested: "Is it not because of ambition, a craving for power?" Mr. Flint repeated: "No! It is pure, green greed. . . . Greed, and greed alone, is the reason for a man's wanting to swell his wad million after million!" Mr. Flint, who as the "Father of Trusts"— made his money in shipping, electric lighting, rubber, chewing gum, munitions, etc., was asked the secret of moneymaking. Said he: "Well, God has favored some men highly and has given them gifts which they use to make money." He cited the case of a man employed by him whose salary had jumped from $25,000 to $150,000 and a percentage, in one year. "God has been good to that man," said Mr. Flint. Chicagoans recalled that last month their townsman, Julius Rosenwald, chairman of Sears, Roe- buck & Co., 115-millionaire, issued a statement on the occasion of his 65th birthday. Mr. Rosenwald said: "I was lucky, not a genius. With rare exceptions, the man who accumulates wealth displays no more genius than the prize-winner in any lottery. It is by luck that a man gets hold of a good thing at the right time and more by luck that he holds on to it."