The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-28
Mr.. Carnsrie,. Pension Fund.

The last gift by Mr. CARNBoIE, Of a
trust fund Of ten millions Of dollars to
provide annuities for disabled college
professors, il one Of the most remarka-
BILE, as it Is also one Of the most munih-
cent of the contributions ever made by
private wealth for public purpose. We
say public, because Mr.. CARNRdIR ex-
plains that the purpose Of the fund is
not merely 10 benefit the direct recipi-
ents Of the bounty but 10 further the
general advancement Of education.
He wishes TO remove a source Of deep
and constant anxiety TO the poorest paid
and yet one Of the highest Of all profess
sions, so poorly paid that able men
hesitate to adopt teaching as a career, .
but he also establishes the fund in order
20 enable colleges to retire old professors
in favor Of more useful younger men
without causing material suffering TO
the displaced II is novel purpose, but
as considerate and as reasonable as it is
practical
The average salary Of college pro-
fessor in this country il miserabty small,
and saving from it anything like q COM
petent provision for future when it will
not be received is impossible. Mr.. CAR
NEGIE's assumption that such paltr-
ness of pay restraints able men from the
professorships may not be fully justified,
The intellectual ability Of the body OF
American college professors is already
Of high average as compared with that
Of men in other pursuits, but even il it
needed to be raised and could be raised,
il is Questionable if merely the assurance
OF an old age pension Of a thousand
dollars a year would be enough to offer
the requisite inducement TO ADLER men,
for the averag pension from Mr.. CARNR-
oIE's fund cannot be more than that
amount.
His pension fund, however will con-
tribute directly TO increase the efficiency
Of the service Of the college professor.
II will enable him 10 pursue his teaching
or his investigation without the distrac-
ton Of fear regarding his maintenance
in old age. His mind will be free from
sordid cares in its search for truth.
Undoubtedly, too, college faculties
may be encountered with professors
whose retirement for disability would
be desirable, but who are retained be-
cause Of the natural unwilhngness Of the
colleges TO send them adrift after long
and valuable service without the means
of supporting themselves. In the prao-
teal management OF the fund, Of course,
an age limit at which the pension may
be obtained will be fixed Nor will there
be any reason for resenting II as a gratu-
ity the acceptance Of which viii be incon-
sistent with the dignity Of a professor.
All college education is Of the nature Of a
benevolence, Of a philanthropy. Every
student, rich or poor, gets his education
largely by the bounty Of the endowme emit
OF the college. His tuition fee is only
part of its cost, even independently Of
the interest on the investment In the
college plant. His education is chiefly
a gift to him.
1t is therefore strictly in accordance
with this feature Of our college system
that the corps Of professors also should
benefit by the bounty Mr.. CARNEGIE so
munifcently provides. His pension fund
in essence is a generous endowment for
the provision and support Of the higher
education.