Young Man Refuses $1 Million From Father's Estate

1920--

REFUSING A MILLION

A young man from Boston has refused to accept $1,000,000 from father's estate. He says he does not need it, being a good automobile mechanic, that he did nothing earn it, that it is more than any man needs, and that by refusing to take it he is placing his life on a Christian basis.

The young man was brought up in wealth, educated at exclusive private schools, and has had one year at Harvard.

A New York paper, while admiring the young man for the courage his convictions, the strength to deny himself the proffered luxury and to choose instead the path of hard work, still questions the wisdom of his decision: "The only point of doubt is as whether, with these high ideals regarding unearned wealth, it was not the idealistic youth's higher duty to accept the $1,000,000 and administer it himself. Why, indeed, may it not appear that he has shirked an obligation which some one else with less exalted ideas of the stewardship of wealth will not be able to perform so competently?"

It is a point worth considering, certainly. But, after all, there are a good many people competent to administer $1,000,000. It will doubtless be done as well as it was in his father's time.

And how few are the men with strength and self-control enough to stand out for the duty of every man to earn his own living and make his way up from modest beginnings by his own efforts? If the young man will but stick to his decision, will not his example do more to straighten out the ideas and ideals of many of his fellows than his acceptance of the fortune?

And if he is of the menial type which loves mechanics and in unfitted for administration, the world has benefited doubly by gaining a good mechanic and losing a poor administrator.

--Olean Evening Herald, Olean, New York, December 1, 1920, page 2, editorial.