A GREAT PHILANTHROPIST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 5 August 1929, Page 3

A GREAT PHILANTHROPIST

DEATH OF KEEN HARD BARON(British Ofticiul Wireless) BUOBY, 2nd August. Mr Bernhard Baron, the tobacco magnate, who died last nigld, is spoken id' as ojk* of tin* greatest philanthropists of the century. It is estimated that during Ids lifetime lie devoted well over three-quarters of a million to the hospitals alone, and that in all charities benefited by his generosity to the extent of about £2,000,000. Mr Baron was 78 years of age. lie was born at Brest Litowsk in Russia, of Jewish parentage, and at the age. of sixteen emigrated to America, where he started work in a tobacco factory. Cigarettes were just coming into vogue, and he proceeded to make them by hand and sell theiil to university students. The demand grew and Baron found himself unable to meet it. So he set to work to invent a machine whereby cigarettes could be made rapidly and efficiently. Jlis business grew and i. was with this machine—-out of which he made £120,000 —that he came to England. lie bought the tobacco business of Carreras for £150.000 and developed it, which is one of the greatest romances of modern commerce. He became a naturalised-Englishman.

Mr Baron's kindness and consideration toward all his employees was remarkable, end he was regarded by them with real affection. He had strong sympathies with the Labour movement, and' contributed a considerable amount to its funds.