New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
GIFT WAS SOLICITED.
american Board Issues Statement on
Rockefeller affair.

Boston, April 14.-The gift OF 100000 to the
American Board Of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions from John D. Rockefeller was solicited
by Representatives of the prudential committee.
according to a statement sent to the press to-
night from the headquarters of the board. This
is entirely different version OF the matter
than that given in an interview with Secretary
James l. Barton on March q and made public
through the local Office Of the board.
In the earlier statement DR.. Barton Is made
to say that the gift voluntary and unsoIicic-
! ed. The original statement. furnished by
representatives OF the board. told of request
from John D. Rockefeller. jr.. for a conference
with a secretary Of the board. The conference
was held. and later one Of the secretaries met
the private secretary Of John D. Rockefeller. fol-
lowing church service at Montclair. N. J.. and
the two discussed informally missionary affaira-
The statement given out tonight says:
Secretary James L. Barton. D. D.. sent to the
corporate members Of the American board to-
day complete statement. with the correspond
ence, showing the steps which led to the gift
from Mr.. Rockefeller of 100000. This state
ment. the secretary says, is made in the interest
Of an accurate understanding and to correct a
false impression created in some quarters by a
brief published interview with himself referring
TO the beginning Of negotiations. which was re-
ported some two weeks ago and has been widely
misused and misQuoted.
The conference with Mr. Rockefeller. jr. and
the meeting Of the secretaries at MOntclair,
N. J.. are described as in the earlier announce
ment. the statement concluding:
More than a year later in December OF last
year, Secretary Barton wrote Mr.. Gates (Mr.
Rockefeller's private secretary in regard to the
eighteen higher educational institutions OF the
board, sending him a new booklet upon this
work just issued, and asking # there would be
opportunity of bringing these Institutions 10
the attention Of John D. Rockefeller with
view to securing funds for their endowment IN
whole or in part. Mr.. Gates at once replied that
Mr.. Rockefeller had declined hitherto 10 endOw
institutions in foreign countries, but had some
times made contributions for the erection OF
necessary buildings and for current expenses
Secretary Barton presented later in December
a statement Of certain pressing special needs
then existing calling for S163.O0O. A conference
was called by Mr. Gates upon the subject of
Mr.. Rockefeller promised. through his agent.
Mr.. Gates. to give 100000 This letter an
nouncing the gift was received on February Is.
1905. and was presented to the prudential COM
mittee at it's regular meeting the next day. when
the gift was accepted. Secretary Barton says:
I never had any question whatever regarding
the propriety, and even duty of soliciting help
for the needy institutions and work of the board
from Mr. Rockefeller, as from other people Of
means who mem beTS in good and regular
standing of Christian churches. In So
nciting and accepting this gift neither the pru-
Dental committee, the officers and members Of
the American Board. the pastors and men,
bers of our Congregational churches assume
of or defend any individual corporation nor is
any one by this gift to be restrained from alb
solute freedom of speech according to the die
tates Of his untrammelled conscience.