Молодь на роздоріжжі

In 1923 a very important meeting was held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago.  In attendance were nine of the world’s most successful financiers.  Those present were:  the president of the largest independent steel company, the president of the largest utility company, the president of the largest gas company, the greatest wheat speculator, the president of the New York Stock Exchange, a member of the President of the United States’ Cabinet, the greatest stock broker, the head of the world’s greatest monopoly, the president of the Bank of International Settlements.

Certainly we must admit that here was gathered a group of the world’s most successful men; at least, men who had found the secret of making money.  Twenty-five years later let’s see where these men were:

 The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, died bankrupt and lived on borrowed money for five years before his death.

 The president of the largest utility company, Samuel Insull, died a fugitive from justice and penniless in a foreign land.

 The president of the largest gas company, Howard Hopson, went insane.

The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cotton, died abroad, broke—no money.

 The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney was released from Sing Sing Penitentiary.

 The member of the President’s Cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home.

 The greatest “bear” on Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, died of suicide.

 The head of the greatest monopoly, Ivan Krueger, died of suicide.

 The president of the Bank of International Settlements, Leon, Fraser, died of suicide.

 All of these men learned well the art of making a living but not one learned how to live.