WORLD'S RICHEST MEN.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17980, 25 January 1924, Page 7

WORLD'S RICHEST MEN.

THE FIRST TWELVE.

HENRY FORD HEADS THE LIST.

Twenty years ago there was a man named Ford in Detroit, a mechanic, who had a part interest in an automobile company, whoso capital was under £6OOO. To-day Henry Ford is probably the richest man in all history, with a net business incomo of £25,000,000 a year, which, if taken on a basis of 5 per cent, interest, represents a potential capital of £500,000,000.

"What man living to-day cornea nearest to Ford in riches? What 10 men arc tho wealthiest in tho world ?

In truth, it is impossible to set down 10 names and say, "These 10 are the world's wealthiest in the order given," because each name to be qualified for such a roster must represent more than £20,000,000, and in dealing with fortunes ot such bulk accuracy becomes increasingly difficult in geometrical ratio. Tho world lias more than lO 1 men in the £20,000,000 class. The name of one of America's richest men, T. B. Walker, of Minnesota, is virtually unknown in Wall street, and George F. Baker's financial rank is recognised by few. The iollowing gives tho names of 12 who, in authoritative circles, are credited with possessing more wealth as individuals than any other group on earth:—

Henry Ford—automobiles (United States), £120,000,000. John D. Rockefeller —oil (United States America), £100,000,000. Duko of Westminster—land (England), £30,000,000.

Sir Basil ZnhrofT—armament and oil (France), £20,000,000 to £25,000,ouo.

Hugo Stinnes—steel and ships (Germany), £20,000,000. _ • - Percy Rockefeller —oil (United States America) —£20,000,000. Baron H. Mitsui—trade and ships (Japan), £20,000,00CT. Baron K. Iwasaki—trade and ships (Japan), £20,000,000. Gaekwar of Baroda—Royal estate (India), £20,000,000. T. B. Walker—timber (United States America), £20,000,000 to £60,000,000. Geo. F. Baker—railroads, steel (United States America), £20,000,000. J. B. Duke—tobacco (United States America), £20,000,000.

Tho Richest Families. Certain other names, which will occur to everybody, come into gory of richest families, not richest individuals. . The '\N T ew York Times" names among these:—

Rothschilds (banking), £50,000,000 to £100,000,000. Guggenheims (copper, stores), £40,000,000. Vanderbilts (banking), £15,000,000 to £20,000,000. .

Weyerhaeusers (timber), £20,000,000 or upwards.

Astors (banking), £20,000,000. Mellons (oil and "steel), £20,000,000. These are all in the United States except the Rothschilds.

The wealth of families is even harder to estimate than that of individuals. Consider tho Rothschilds; they are scattered all over Europe. There are five of them in England alone. They have generations behind them—the founder of the house was born in 1742. Nobody can say how extensive their interests are—probably not even they themselves.