New-York tribune., 1907-03-23
LAUD MRS. SAGE'S GIFT.
SOCIAL WORKERS AGREE.
Their Viezcs Voiced and Grouped in
"ChQr.ties and Commons.

Charities and Commons a weekly journal de-
,,o.ed 70 philanthropic subjects. in SIS Issue ~
March q devotes large space 10 voicing the i'm
r,-tance Of Mrs. Russell Sage's recent foundation
- 100000 for the Improvement Of social and
living conditions in the United States. commenting
mon q editorially and giving the opinions on II o.
7acob A. Riis DR.. Samuel McCune Lindsay Gra-
ham Taylor Lawrence WELLER and others promi-
nentlv identified with charitable organizations and
rnovements in this country.
II Is obvious says the editor in his fore
z,ard that Mrs SaEe's gift 10 the nation has its
origin IN an ardent personal desire to do something
consistent with the highest religious motive.
and thar this craving restrained TO some extent IL
NAV be through many years. or finding expression
only in smaller opportunities has now been salts
rcd with nothing less than the most complete,
thorough and carefully devised programme for
social hetterInert which could be devised"
Then after praising the cathoicitv Of the field IN
which II may be employed and Of the many laud-
able charitable enterprises -hCh may be carried
over period of depression or threatened failure by
grants from this foundation. the editor goes 10
say. a study 81 occupations, Of homes, OF edCca-
lion Of congestion. Of the cost OF living, OF the
means of saving life. increasing physical vigor and
industrial efficiency and the making known Of the
results az such studies IN progress or already
conpleted-these. we should think. viii naturally
be among the first tasks 10 which the trustees will
address their attention What We really
have in TIE Sage Foundation is a new and perhaps
better type of university, institution for re
search and education
Jacob A Riis who is member OF the publica-
tfon committee of Charities and Commons
writes about the Sage Foundation:
II puts US in our fight against the poverty prob.
lem in our cities exactly where the discovery OF
The germ Fl tuoe5e4osis put t s N me nsnt 81
noIhng Now shall 80 ahead and register re-
not mean that Mrs sage's 100000 viii abolish
9orsT I, qog9t u apB se5 i q g nof be V,h
money ] mean that i is the answer TO the de-
an5 ler bsd enough alone Certainly we shall not
And II more than that-it comes with backing
our rear is secure: thar order snd system and sus-
tained effort take the place of enthusiastic
assaults on the enemy : stronghold
Frank Tucker. yice-presdent of the Provident
Loan Society. gives his opinion follows:
The Sage Foundation as outlined IN the leg1sIa-
tive hin creating H. is masterpiece in purpose and
rlItion should these equal in wisdom and ability
the statement Of purpose and the terms under
win he truly one of the greatest Of the age That
which in lis statement OF purpose might seem
vague 10 one unfamiliar with social work and
yos -. -l,o oss,,or.ior .rar anv social con
dition IS necessarily permanent is not Wen founded
erpefiity usually works % the detriment of social
and living conditions. That which all social work
viii look forward TO with the keenest IN IN
terest viii be the first act OF the trustees indicating
their policy IN interpreting their trust
Samuel McCune Lindsay. director OF the New
York School OF Philanthropy and secretary os the
National child Labor Committee. says;
To endow research and eduo.tsion. 70 iPysstieat:e
build model houses 10 assist people in their rise
from slavery 20 evangelize The world are NOBLE oo
80 1850 st-5tss~s Iss -sste5 heavy responei-
S,if,, s15 keasT .be tnsigh5 Of her advisers that
SAN human need Fundamental 70 ninetenths OF al
the phianthropic and educational work OF our tines
i s need that can be met and 6ssit Win with
I5'iy 6raete5 1e 80 ot6er provision has vet been
made for II on 50 liberal a scale or with 80 much
proUise OF definite practical results.
Lawrence WELLER director Of the department for
the Improvement Of social conditions OF the Charity
Organization OF the City OF New York. thinks that
Mrs. sage's gift is epochmeking. Graham Taylor
warden Of the Chicago Commons and director oS
the Chicago Institute Of Social Science. writes that
Mrs. sage's gift viii greatly strengthen organized
charitable enterprises By giving social workers
through the scientific investigation of social condi
tons which II viii inaugurate and push through.
precise grasp OF each situation before the applica-
ton ot remedial measures.
William H Allen, general agent Of the New
York Association for Improving the Condition OF
the Poor thinks that the spell is now broken
which n the past has prevented so-caled chari-
table agencies from receiving due recognition and
adequate support for their educational work.
Homer Folks. secretary of the New YORK Slate
Charities Aid Association, says:
It Is hardly possible to overstate the importance
Of Tie establishment of the Sage Foundation. either
Win reference 10 the good results which are likely
70 IT'S influence upon future gifts and beauests.
For the first time. far as am aware, a very
large sum OF ,noney is left 20 be applied 10 such
charitable purposes as, in The judgment Of wise wise
and experienced people, shall from tine 10 uihe
seem most important. with the direct provision
that they are equally free 10 aid existing agencies
10 establish ones. and with the suggestion
that. ln part. the money shall De usea ioI pIi-
poses Of research and education. looking 20 tie
Improvement Of social conditions. me lhssAil19e
~ the sum made available. striking as II Is; - IN
my opinion. less significant than the facl that no
effort is made limit the use OF the income 20 \
specific object purpose Afhsl losteilts
70 know the needs Of the future seems 10 nave
been Mrs Saee's decision and II IS as wise as IN
the field Of cnarity il is exceptional