New-York tribune., 1906-12-29
MRS. SAGE'S INTENTIONS
NO GIFTS At PRESENT.
Intimates She FaUors Claims of Poor
Families of This City.

tuIlIudtlHS iu general way Niidl SALO "NN'N
and what she would not do in the way Of phil
anthropic work. She says that 1t is not her
purpose TO distribute at once the money left by
her husband; that she has been surprised and
annoyed by urgent appeals so soon after his
death and that the earliest time in which the
estate can be administered is a year. This IS
the first statement Of any kind made By her
since the death Of Mr. Sage
Mrs. Sage gives some idea Of the trend OF her
inclinations along charitable lines when she says
that there are plenty of cases of personal and
family need in this city which have a nearer
claim on her than cases IN other cities. She
does not intend TO consider any cases in other
cities.
II is probable that Mrs. Sage when the estate.
which has been variously estimated at from
$4,000. 900 to s7OOOoOoO. finally comes into her
hands, will have organized some system by
which all requests for her bounty may be inves-
tigated and met If in her judgment they are
worthy. She seems to feel particularly drawn
TO those who have personal and family needs
and it is safe to say that much OF her benev-
olence will be to individuals rather than TO or
ganizations institutions
Mrs. Sage. however. says that applicants will
do no good by pressing their claims before the
estate is settled. and that then they must apply
in writing and be willing to have their cases
investigated IN Jhe utmost deLdll.
The statement was made public by Robert W.
de Forest. who. with Henry ". de Forest, hts
brother. is personal counsel OF Mrs. Sage. He
said Mrs. Sage had received as high as nine hun
dred letters a day from all sorts Of people who
needed money for all sorts OF purposes. She
has not been able to read all the letters, but
they have been read. Some Of the propositions
have been most astonishing. declaring that only
a little cash was needed to perfect the most
remarkable discoveries and inventions.
Among the things Mrs. Sage has already de-
clded to do with her money is the building OF
new house Of worship for the Presbyterian
Church at Lawrence Long Island which Is
the summer home Of Mrs. Sage She is living
there now. and is said to be in excellent health,
in spite of her seventy-seven years. Her state
ment follows:
!. have been receiving ever since my husbands
Plications of every conceivable kind from so many
sible way. Some delivered at the door; most OF
tseI1 n come IN the usual course OF the mail some
them registered. with the thought Of making
every part Of the tinted states and from foreign
Countries from the greater cities, such as chicago
smallest hamlet in the Far West.
A great many OF these letters contain absurd and
unreasonable requests, based apparently upon the
idea that was Immediately going 10 Distribute
without examination or consideration very larga
Of money.
The professional begging letter writer appears IN
large numbers. and also the people who have failed
in business and wish 20 establish themselves hen selves
cages paid of their homes: those who would ike
10 have me go into business with them, and those
elixir of life and only need aid for them to take
out patents and secure their and my everlasting
Many Of them unquestiouabIy represent real
opinion OF the applicants. Some OF them ara very
pathetic. The greater part Of them relate 10 per
tlonal needs, or, il may be, the establishment OE
some new lnsGtuton or tHe llaoI o. 5 solo +I Lle
all would involve the total loss Of eyesight which
Moreover innumerable people. some of them per-
haps the writers OF these letters. are constantly
irving TO secure personal interviews with me, ana
il / Should see one-tenth OF the people who 50
apply IT would be one continuous interview Day
Tbis constitutes a real persecution. II should
at the Character and standing Of people who thus
seek to press themselves upon me instead OF re-
speeting my desire re- for seGTSSon dar'S TINS '''
letter writer's or those who present absurd OF i-
possible demands. but l cannot but syInpatnlzo
whose needs are real and should unquestonably
be met by some one and somehow Many OF I them
Ebieb Rave appeared from time TO time with
gard 20 me and my PRiianthropio intentions It
Is cruel to excite hopes in them that cannot De
nv Silence and make public statement which l
trust will be given the same currency oy the press
that has been given 10 the many articles regard @
ing my intentions which have absolutely no war
II is not my purpose to make any immediate
distribution of the money which my husoana HaS mas
due course Of administration Much less am IN
tending make any such distribution eVeTy"I4sIe
I am 10 receive this money without any trust
exDrasSsion Of desire on his part. He has left me
and intended to leave me absolutely free TO DO
Whatever be the personal family needs OF poor
people n CanG9S SnGasob be IGoRed 10 10 supply them
have at my doors. in my own city or Lour
have nearer claim upon me in SO far may
decide TO recognize II tnInH Ine ma
ington and other cities some Of whom 1 know. can
for the permanent good either OF those who are
t6er f3 Te'eH2 e2e5s6p are most called upon supply
it. for any resort 10 be had 70 me in such cities.
No aD1licant either for individual institutional
nor and must not accord il. and I must in justice
70 nvseIf and these applicants, apply the same
Faye Fgs 20 sny W Of my friends do so for me shall do it
on my own initiative Any apPH,caeio9' 70 s,a Teaca N
any stranger TO any cause OF v hIch nave no.
pISHITGS pISI;a r5sstig9ttor None need apply in writ
ing unless they are ready 10 have their applica-
'ifS People Should rsmeber. too-and am surprised
they do not 70 a g[ebJh died that the earliest
Tsrod within which the estate can be closed up -
one year after his death. and II Is premature Ior
lfTmnortInity and relteration recomnenda-
+ionsf 70 nv attention. The persons for whom
shall probably do the most and the causes 70 which
arI I1Osr likely 10 contribute generously are those
1r6ich respect my early widowhood and do not
press their claims upon me at This time -,
7 DO not wish seem harsh am only going
through now what. on small scale; my husband
Ia = vent through with during his lifetime
sInnoze other people have to endure the same food
Of Applications. should not feel L necessary 70
S1ask now except that heart really goes out 10
Some people who have written letters from distant
oitiss o~ Villages in whom false expectations have
6Hen excited. and I sincerely hope that the same
Devsparers which have spread abroad so much
tb1t vas appreCative Of my personality. but gave
s5cb a false impression as 70 my Intentions, VIII