MR. ROCKEFELLER'S WHIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15133, 25 October 1912, Page 9

MR. ROCKEFELLER'S WHIM.

,VISITTNG THE TOOK, The richest and, perhaps, the most abused man in the world, Mr. John D. Rockefeller, has taken up the whim of the renowned Kalif of Baghdad, HarunralRaschid. In other words, Mr. Rockefeller has devoted the greater part of the present summer to visiting the haunts of the poor incognito, to find out what the world really thinks of the billionaire founder of the Standard Oil Trust. Since June Ihe has been living at his palatial summer home just outside Cleveland, Ohio, whore the genii of fortune first whispered the magic word of " combination" in his ear. And every day when the weather has been fine he has paid a visit in his motor car to some one of the many small towns and villages within a radius of 50 miles from his home, whore he mingles with the people and makes friends with the children. So far, the identity of this super-king in the financial world has not even been suspected by the farmers, villagers, and children, among whom he has fonnd disinterested friendship and; the first real happiness of his eventful life. It is true his portrait has been frequently and widely published in the newspapers, but with the grey wig which he now wears, and in his straw hat and modest suit of grey serge, he looks just like a thousand other men of his age, while his democratic manner, genial smile, and kindly ways are so foreign to the popular conception of the great trust billionaire, that the simple country folk have failed to recognise him. For that matter, very few people in Cleveland know Mr. Rockefeller. by sight. He rarely attends a social function, and the congregation where he attends church on Sunday is a small one. Even his occasional visits to his offices in the, financial district are always made in a closed motor car to avoid attention. - Kirtland, about 20 miles from Forest Hill, where his home is situated, is a favourite' spot with the Oil King, and nearly every week he makes a pilgrimage there. Sometimes he is accompanied by his physician, Dr. Biggar, or the Rev. W. W. Bustard, pastor of his Cleveland church, but more often he goes on these trips alone. On arriving he gets out of his car and walks around the little village, talking with everyone he meets. He always pays a visit to the village store, which sells everything from a toothpick to a farm waggon, and makes a few purchases of candy, which he distributes among the children who are invariably to be found on its front steps. The richest man in the world is fond of children, and he probably gets.as much pleasure out of giving candy to these youngsters, who are unaware'. of his identity, as he does _in giving milliins to some educational institution. Occasionhe takes two or three of the'"older children for a short ride in his car, and if they want to ride fast he tells his chauffeur to take his orders from his guests. He delights in telling them about his grandchildren, of whom he is very proud, and in parting ho sometimes makes them a small present. But he never tells them that they have been riding with John D. Rockefeller. Ho prefers. to speak of himself as "an old gentleman from the city," and that is as far as he will go in satisfying the curiosity of his chance acquaintances. Mr.. Rockefeller also likes to visit the poorer quarters of Cleveland, and to wan"der around asking all ■sorts of questions, and if he happens to encounter a particularly interesting person or a talkative child ihe suggests a ride in his motor car. It is his especial/delight to ask these chance acquaintances what they think about corporations in general, and Standard Oil in particular. Naturally this practice has resulted in many' amusing experience^.