The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-07-14
AS WE SEE OTHERS.
Los Angeles Herald.

Los Angeles Herald.
How easy /; is for poor man 10 de-
eide what a rich one should do with his
money Andrew Carnegie comes near
est the ideal rich man. in popular estl-
nation. There are diverse opinions
abou; his judgment in the methods he
employs for distributing his wealth. bu;
all ogree that he is doing the proper
thing in getting rid Of it. There is
very little manifestation Of real grat-
itude to Mr.. Carnegie, even in commu-
mites that are recipients OF his bounty.
In s1pe cases his proffered benetac-
lions have been promptly declined. and
in others hot discussions have arissn
over the propriety Of accepting thin.
HIS offer OF many millions Of dollars
to Scottish universities was at frs, re-
ceivei as a grievous affront, and New
York is still debating the question Of
accepting his offer Of several millions.
But while the present year has been
phenomenal in the number Of lavish
gifts by rich men, for good purposes,
we hear no general expression Of graft
tude excep; in the case Of Mr.. Carnegie.
For example, John D. Rockefeller has
given several million dollars for edu-
cational purposes, ami he has devoted
other large sums to benevolent uses.
The public judgment. guagsd by the
average expression, is that he ought 70
have given a great deal more. J. Pier
Pont Morgan has been noted for several
wears as a generous g.vsr in righ, d.
recdons, and he has just made a special
donation Of one million dollars 20 Har-
ward University Probably there =
gratitude for the munlfceni gf, w.,hn
The inner circle Of Harvard, bur there
is no evidence Of i, outside
In passing juignen, upon he 5a2s-
factions Of rich men Vs. are apt TO lose
sight Of the fac, tina, wealth ike pow
er,y, is relative Nj Morgan's wealth /
possibly reaches fifty millions 5f dollars
and Mr. Rockefeller's five lines that
sum. In his single donation u one mil 4
lion to Harvard Morgan gave away TWO .
per cen: Of his wealth Rockef=Ilers /
gifts TO Chicago University equal TWO .
and a half per cent Of mis- wealth. E-ch .
Of them might have given fv=, ten 'r .
twenty times as much and they ough,
10 have done it. That is substantially
the average opinion, as expressed.
Having in mini the fact that wealth
is relative. suppose We rake some Of our
own medicine, that We offer gratui.0us-
y Of our own wealth with the
M5rgans and Rockefsllers Tue cause
u educatalon needs money in every
community in the United States. The
needs Of Harvard and Chicago unIyer-
sites are examples, not exceptions
The smaller communities do not need
but they need thousands, and
wen hundreds. The opportunity for
loing good in the cause 0t education Is
,ften quite as ripe here in Los Angeles
,s 1t is in Boston or Chicago. A citizen
yho is comparatively rich here, OF one
II moderate circumstances, or even a
,oor man, has the same chance a. 4
10 give percentage Of
What he has to the cause Of education.
The subject is worthy Of earnes.
hought Why not try the experiment
4 figuring up our individual wealth
no then relatively giving IS much as
he Rockefellsrs and Morgdns by do
at.ng percentage Of it to tn Cause
{ education.