New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-13
RA1s1rc rHE erANDARD 0F LLEE.


The rich gift which Mrs. Russell Sage makes
to the people of the United States in the "Sage
Foundation" as announced elsewhere in
columns to-day, is Of special moment in that 1t
is meant to serve important public interests
which have hitherto received comparatively lit
tie attention OF 8 practical and efficient kind.
Its object is 1.-The Improvement of social and
living conditions in the United States"-in brief,
the elevation of the general standard Of living.
The need of such work nobody will question. 1t
has been frequent reproach, directed against
this country BY its own citizens as much as by
foreigners, that the art Of living is too much
neglected here, and that 1t is largely merited
few thoughtful observers Will dispute. We have
here residences and tenements, means Of trans
portation schools churches. hospitals, clubs.
places Of amusement and entertainment and all
the material elements and adjuncts of the high
est type Of life. But their right combination and
use, so as to get the fullest good out Of them.
are things yet TO be achieved.
Yet, as the whole is greater than any Of its
parts, this art of living is superior in impor-
lance to any of these departments Of social ac-
tivlty, for It includes them all. 1t Is often re-
marked that in some cases education seems to be
thrown away, for the reason that the recipients
of it do not know how TO employ 1t 10 advan-
tage Every charitable worker knows that aims.
whether in money or kind, are often half wasted
because those upon whom they are bestowed do
not know how best to utilize the bounty, in the
purchase and cooking of food, the purchase of
clothes or wha: not. A very large proportion of
the evils and annoyance3 OF life directly arise
from such conditions People do not know how
to make the best of things. On every hand
there are misdirected energies. waste and blum
dering. 1t seems easier TO earn money than to
spend it wisely. It is far easier 10 give aims
than to impart wisdom
There has naturally been much public curios-
ity concerning the way in which Mrs. Sage
would bestow her fortune for the benefit Of her
fellow men and women. That she would per-
form some great act of benefcence all who knew
her were from the frsr confident. Few prob
ably expected the establishment OF such fOun-
dalton as that which is now announced. 1t
would have been much easier to give her for
tune In big blocks 10 colleges. hospitals. churches
and other institutions. There were enough OF
them in a receptive mood to absorb every dollar
Mrs. Sage had to give. But she has done better
than that In keeping with her character and
career, she has chosen not the easiest but what
seems to her the best means Of doing good. Her
scheme is the product Of careful thought, given
as earnestly 10 the problem of distributing as
ever 1t was given by any one to that of acquiring
money. 1t will not be easy task 10 admin
lister the great trust with which she is endowing
the public but 1t is to be assumed that the task
will be performed with loyalty TO her noble de-
signs and we may be sure that In the perform
ance of IL the public will receive such measure
of good as will assure To Mrs. Sage a high place
among the benefactOrs of the race.