A MODEST REFORMER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume III, Issue 361, 21 February 1914, Page 1 (Supplement)

A MODEST REFORMER.

There was never a reformer' less given to sensational self-advertisement than John D. Rockefeller, jun., only son of the millionaire oil-king, who, some years ago, wrote his amazing, if random, reminiscences for the “World’s Work.” " Young John D.,” as he is familiarly called in America, has always been a serious youth, fully alive to the responsibilities of wealth, and fully determined to make himself into a useful citizen. Active in many lines of Christian endeavour, he has secured his greatest fame and reaped his greatest successes in the crusade for the prevention of what is generally called the “white slave traffic.” There is no doubt whatever that the recent discussion and parliamentary enactment secured in Great Britain are directly traceable to the New York movement, which may be said to have been begun by young Rockefeller, and which, thanks to his ability to finance it generously, has developed tremendous strength and enthusiasm throughout the United States. Beginning as a member of a committee of public men to investigate the misconduct of Tammany government in New York City, young Rockefeller was appointed chairman of a sub-committee to look into the question of legalised vice and the preying of New York’s blackmailing policeman upon the inhabitants of what are called “the Red Light Districts.” He made such remarkable discoveries as to secure the appointment of a grand jury with full authority to summon and grand jury with full authority to summon and compel the testimony of witnesses—a grand jury which also did not hesitate to accept the large, contributions towards its expenses which Mr. Rockefeller was able to provide. He has not waited long to see his efforts bear fruit, or to receive the general commendation and thanks of his felow countrymen.