The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-24
MONEY GIVEN AWAY IN
BUSINESS LIKE MANNER

the world and would probably be denied
by Mr.. Gates. Even the great fortune OF
Mr.. Rockefeller could not meet the de-
mands that would be made II the actual
method became generally known.
Like all the Rockefeller gifts, the princi-
pie of helping those who help themselves
applies in all these cases. The recipient
of aid must show some disposition to do
his share. And to this end gifts are often
made on conditions.
There have been cases where loans have
been made to persons in actual need OF
the money to tide over difficulties The
borrower has in these cases been held to
| a strict accounting for every cent and
made to pay it all back to the salvation
OF his seif-respeet Many respondent men
have In this way been given new start
in life and have been made to feel that
they have been helped to help themselves
without the loss of any manhood.
Charity pure and simple is applied
wherever it is needed. but in these cases
It is mostly women and children who are
| aided. Helpless cases are found every
day where the help is given outright and
The rule that guides Mr.. Rockefeller In
his business Is applied to his charities
consolidation of forces to reduce operat-
ing expenses and a thorough knowledge
| of details. Over 1t all must be that
secrecy that shrouds all the operations of
the giant concern and which alone makes
il possible.
Public charity has always been found to
defeat itself. Those who are willing to ac-
cept public charity are not worthy of 1t.
and those who are worthy will not accept
aid when 1t comes with a blare of
trumphets and display of its purpose.
| 1t is, therefore, necessary to the sue
cess of the enterprise that its opera
tions be kept from the public. If the
books could be shown the entlre,structure
would fail.
And if the books in the office of Mr..
Gates were made public they would be
a revelation. The amounts set down for
various purposes would be simply amaz-
ing. The sums given away would CON
stitute a comfortable fortune for even
rich man.
The whole thing started in the most
simple way. Mr.. Rockefeller had for years
been giving money where he thought it
would do good. His mail began to grow.
and soon he found he had not the time
to attend to 1t. so Mr.. Gates was engaged
to read the letters and dispose of them.
This he did until he in turn had to en-
gage assistance. Then regular bureau
grew up, until the establishment reached
Its present proportions.
Now. aside from the purely charitable
work 1t does, the department keeps track
of all the gifts and endowments to col
leges and other institutions to which Mr.
Rockefeller is giving a helping hand.
Many of these. in order to secure the
promised gifts, have to raise certain sums
themselves. The progress of these funds
is watched by the bureau, and If the con-
ditions are fulfilled the endowment is sent
on without further difficulty
The extent of this task can be under
stood when it is known that in the last
few years Mr.. Rockefeller has given away
s30,00O,O0O or $4000O,0OO to colleges schools
and other institutions. Among the gifts
are funds the income of which is paid out
regularly to the benefciaries, and all
these have to be looked after and man.
aged
Taken In its entirety, the task of Civ
ing away money is not an easy one, and
demands almost as much skill and BUSH
ness ability as does the accumulation of
it,
To keep the huge fortune of Mr. Rookie
Teller flowing out by the proper channels
requires all the attention of Mr.. Gates and
his trained staff of assistants.