Was Millionaire Really Worth Anything, Asks Editor, Nov. 18, 1920

A few days ago the daily press published a front page story announcing the death of a man who had amassed a large fortune. On every hand was heard the question, "How much was he worth?" The observation is not made as a tirade against wealth honestly won and obtained when to get it a man does not distort and defeat the purpose of life. The man in question was wholly selfish. HIs early life was spent in grasping and greed. The later years of life were devoted to gratification of his baser self. His was a splendid mansion marble steps, mahogany doors and velvets and tapestries. HIs body was clothed richly and he faired sumptuously every day. Men were intoxicated with his attention and flattered when he smiled. But when his life was analyzed it was shown that he had turned a deaf ear to the cry of need. His purse never opened to meet patriotic and civic demands. His eyes never looked in pity on the distressed. His voice was never raised in behalf of the distressed. He lifted no burdens form his brother's back. He lived for himself. The newspapers said he was worth many millions. That was a mistake. Was he really worth anything? (From the editorial page of The Review, High Point, N.C., Nov. 18, 1920, W.L. Stamey, editor and publisher)