RAPID MONEY MAKING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 39

RAPID MONEY MAKING.

Offico boy in 1878, millionaire in 1896. That is the record of Edward Hines. By a deal carried through the other week, involving over ,£IOO,OOO, Mr Hiuos absorbed tho business in which ho began as an office boy eighteen years ago. lie now controls the largest lumber company in tho world. It includes planing mills, steam barges, blocks of docks and yards along the south branch of tho Chicago River in the vicinity of Blue Island avenue in the city of Chicago. All the schooling Edward llines got was in the Chicago Grammar Schools. When he felt ho had got a pretty fair hold on tho three R's ho looked around for a job. Ho found one as ollico boy for tho S. K. Martin Lumber Company, one of tho greatest firms in tho business. " Eddie," as they called him, kept his eyes open from the start. lie made up his mind ho was going to master the principle of buying what some man wants to sell and selling to the man that wants to buy. Ho also made it a rule to save a certain part of his pay, and ho stuck to it. He soon secured a thorough grasp of tho lumber business, and his services became invaluable to the Company. Ho was promoted successfully to bo clerk, bookkeeper, foreman, superintendent and finally general manager, tho highest position in the gift of tho Company. .Meanwhile, he hail practised tho precepts of " Poor Richard," and his savings amounted to a snug sum.

When he became manager he tried to buy stock in the Company. Tho firm's policy was against giving employees any interest, but because Mines was such a capable young man (hey made, an exception and sold him a few shares. This was shortsighted on their part. The few shares did not niako him feel as if ho were a partner, and ho wanted to be working for his own business.

The most surprised man in Chicago was S. Iv. Martin when ho woko up one morning and learned that Mr llines bad resigned and organised a rival company. Not only that, but Mr Hines took with him several other important employees of the old company. They combined their capital, secured credit, and tho Edward limes Lumber Company at once launched into business.

It was a success from the beginning. Tho new company secured docks and yards under tho shadow of tho old company's plant. A keen rivalry sprang up, but on August 19, ISO 1, the S. K. Martin Company lost £IOO,OOO by a fire, and tho Hinos Company forged ahead. Tho struggle cont:inued|until a few weeks ago, when in consideration of a sum reported to bo over £IOO,OOO, tho Martin Company was absorbed by the Hinos Company. There is now no moro Martin Company. It is all Hinos. In 1895 the concern shipped 150,193,307 ft of lumber, which breaks all records for shipments by single firms. The ollico boy wdio tended to business is now tho greatest lumber dealer in tho world.