“Their approval shall not be necessary in or to validate any decision or management by Nevin,” said Rodman Wanamaker ‘s $100,000,000 will last week (TIME, Mar. 19). “Their” meant seven managing trustees. “Nevin” was William L. Nevin, lately obscure youthful lawyer, now by inheritance merchant princeling. “Nevin” will henceforth manage, irrespective of benefit of experience of seven advisers.
Student Nevin fulfilled Pennsylvania University’s law school requirements at 18. For ten dreadful, discouraging years he “practiced,” until accident confronted him with John Wanamaker, the Founder.*Lawyer Nevin was better at real estate than the Founder himself; when the owner died, Lawyer Nevin was made Vice President of everything, all around. Directorships followed, automatically. Wilful-faced, 200 pound, 6 ft. 2 in., firm chinned, wideshouldered Attorney Nevin became master last week of Wanamaker’s interests in the U. S. and the world, to wit: Wanamaker’s stores in Philadelphia, New York, Paris, Tokyo; A. T. Stewart Realty Co., Manhattan.-
The New York World featured Merchant Nevin thus: “In conversation he occasionally indulges in polite stories.”
A
*Literary designation, in Wanamaker advertising, of John Wanamaker, founder of the department stores. *In his 25-page will, Republican Rodman Wanamaker forgot to mention his Philadelphia Record, Democratic party organ.
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