New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-29
DIR. GLADDEN. PROTESTS.
Files Formal argument against
Taking RockefelLet's 800, 900.

Columbus Ohio March 2s-Dr. Washington Glad
den. moderator Of the Congregational Church
filed a written protest to-day with the prudential
committee Of the American Board of Foreign Mis-
sions. now in session at Boston, against the COM
rittee's accepting the gift Of 100000 from John d.
Rockefeller.
This committee" he said to-day. lis merely
supplementary committee anyway. and ought not
TO take on itself the responsibility OF accepting this
gift in view of the widespread feeling all over the
country among religious people. / shall continue
10 protest until the conference Of the Congrega-
tional Church in September when some action will
be taken. The churches should adopt some form
Of referendum In such matters so that the people
Of the churches express their feeling and de-
sires in such cases All should protest against the
acceptance OF this gift"
Dr. GIadden's protest is follows:
] must ask the privilege of expressing .explic
fifty as can, my surprise and regret that the Off
of money from John ID. Rockefeller. | object
10 this because the money thus bestowed does NOT
r1gftfuly belong to the who gives it; il has
been hagitousiy acquired. and all the world knows
II may be difficult. in many cases, to judge Of
The metnoas by which wealth mas De@m sa ar ~
doubt respecting their honesty 1t is no doubt: i'm
Sources Of ali the gifts that are offered us But
when the investigation has been thoroughIy made:
conduct by the facts made known .,o,,u,,,,,
made and the facts are known. The legislative in
ouries the records of courts, have given the read
n nsg RsGRg upon S ths methods Of standard on and
never s waS Subject 9ay s they are They know
that this great power has been built up by lnJus.
gains have been made by forcibly despoilng cti-
zens Of their honest gains and shutting the doors
1t Ras been forcibIy done, say 1t has been done
very largely through illicit and iniquitous control
Of railways. Standard OH has never ceased to use
this power in this way; II is using it to-day as
Mr. Rockefeller may deny that rebates now
tros about tvothirds of the railroads of this eoun-
try and its power is exerted in fixing the claSsi,
81 fFeE Re6a te sG NO ncessry
Thus this P9Te %h o asenes created
bv public law for the public service. Is now able TO
its d s bend 9Ta fBBem a to oontSne To- its
enormous revenues. And this is the money which IS
20 tsEe i it It does not belong to the who
offers It. II belongs TO the people from "hoh II
n Is often assumed. fear, that We do not need
use Us Il IN doing good" That indifference deadly;
The fa bstt dqnf be ~ et Mndohe Shall the
young men and women of the missionary colleges
bsnefaetorP The Colleges might better be perma-
fnently closed.
The American board has also received a COM
rnunication from the Rev. DR.. A H. Bradford OF
4ontclsir ~. J., former moderator of the National
CONGREGATIONAL Council and president of the Amer
team Missionary Association. favoring the accept
ance of Mr.. Rockefeer's gift. DR.. Bradfords
statement, in part follows:
Mr. Rockefeller is not seeking vindication. and is
courses. He is, IS we'll known, minority stock
holder in the Standard Oil Company, and large
part Of his wealth has been derived from other
sources This was not a case of Mr.. Rockefeler's
seeking a means of self-justification but il was
that of noble enterprise in its extreme need max
ing its appeal him. To that appeal he yielded
not in any way making the board his partner, and
not asking IL TO give him any approval. He simply
responded to an earnest request and left the board
as free from responsibility for him or for his
methods II before.
Why refuse Mr.. Rockefeller's money and accept
the gifts of other stockholders of the Standard Oil
company NO one doubts that much money de-
the treasury II he had asked it 10 go into partner
ship with him II ought to have refused. because il
goes into partnership with But he has
asked nothing OF the kind He has simply said: Il
realize that certain branches of missionary work
seriously need help. and / request you the one
agent who do II to the best advantage to place
this money where IL viii do the most good" Money
which leaves the receiver free from all obligations
except that of using II wisely should be received,
unless some one else is ready to prove that it be-
longs to him.
No such claim has been made much less sus-
tanned in any court of country 1t is therefore
isic 60 presume that the property which he holds
Is Tor him TO administer he thinks best