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Show ; ; two :.:ill!o;:.mz5 ;: ; i is co;:.:e::ded. ;i JVinianv J. Bryan ih the Cdmrrtoner.V . " 7 There are two At tors often -mentioned by the press Wllliim Waldorf Astor, the tiye-chaser,vand John Jacob Astor, the American patriot and man of affairs. af-fairs. The former gets very much more notice than he Is entitled to, albeit. It is not of a nature to fill him with pride and satisfaction.. The latter Is entitled to-more praise than he has received, because be-cause he Is public-spirited, patriotic and not puffed up because of his immense wealth. - When the ' Spanish-American war broke out John Jacob Astor equipped a battery, paying all expenses out of his own purse, and offered it to the Government. Gov-ernment. He then enlisted and gave good, service under the flag. But even Col. Astor's generous and patriotic service ser-vice does not entitle him to as much credit as his last exhibition of public spirit He has a taste for mechanics, and Is financially able to gratify It. For some time he has devoted himself to applying the turbine principle to steam, and has. he thinks, succeeded in his efforts. ef-forts. Expert engineers and practical mechanics assert that Col.. Astor has made a valuable discovery and one that will revolutionize the application of steam power. But Col. Artor has re- fused to profit by his Invention. He has declined to have it patented and offers of-fers It as a free gift to the people. ' All who desire to use It may do bo without paying royalty. Cornelius- Vanderbtlt,- Jr.. is another millionaire with bent for mechanics, and he, too, has declined to profit personally per-sonally from his inventions. Mr. Van-: Van-: derbilt has invented an. Improved tender ten-der and firebox that have met with instant in-stant favor because of their utility. He had them patented and places them on royalty. But instead of pocketing the proceeds from his inventions,' he ha turned over all royalties to the railroad branch of the Young Men's Christian Association. It is a healthy sign to see rich men like John Jacob Astor and Cornelius Vanderbilt. Jr., applying themselves to useful pursuits and striving to be some thing more than the sons of rich fathers. fath-ers. In this respect they have set a good example that other rich sons of rich fathers would do-well to follow. |