The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-08

FAit'fN'uHR
MS contributions now amounting to s4a.-
OOO000 9'''-
The general education board apparent.
was not prepared for this gift which
was announced simply in this letter:
Announcement of Gift.
New York, February g. 1907.
'nensIai fdhcatioh oBard, New York,
Gentemen;-My father asks me to saw
t enat on or before April ], 1901 he will
give to the general board income bear -
ing securities, the present market value
! OF which Is about S32 100000, one-tbfrd To
pe added TO the permanent endownen+ of
the board: two-thirds to be applied to
sueh specihc objects within the corporate
purposes of the board as either he ar 7
may from time to time direct anv re-
malnder not so designated at the death
, OF the survivor to be added also to the
permanent endowment of the board. Very
truly,
JOHN d. ROCKEFELLER, JR.p
Most of the members of the board were
surprised at the announcement and
amazed at the size of the lift DIR. But
trick, the secretary. said he did not know
the gift was to be made until he re-
eeved the letter. Other members did not
know Of the donation until the letter was
read.
John d. Rockefeller. Jr.. remained
throughout the session OF the board.
Asked If he had anything to add to his
letter he replied he did not believe no
could add anything of Importance to IL.
| as the letter explained itself
Specific Purposes.
Members of the board when asked what
the specific purpo 5" referred to in Mr.,
Rockefellers letter meant. said that II
was in line of educational work and was
intended, i'm their opinion, To give Mr..
Rockefeller the right to direct the dis
position OF the fund to such institutions
within the province of the board as he
may deem proper. The elder Mr.. Rocke-
feer Is not a member OF the board but
his son is member. and the active di-
rectlon doubtless will come from him.
The board voted to accept the gift. and
| in appreciat tion direc ted a letter to the
elder Mr.. Rockefeller follows:
"The general education board ackuowl-
edges the receipt of the communication
Of February 6, 1907. from Mr.. John ID.
! Rockefeller. Jr., a member of this body.
| announcing your direction to give the
board for the purpose of its organization,
| securities Of the current value of $780,
| 00G 900
| "The general education board accepts
this gift with a deep sense OF gratitude
| to you and of responsibility to society.
| The sum added to the Sl1 900 600 which you
| the general education board the guardian
and administrator Of a total trust fund
Of s43 100000.
This is the largest sum ever given by
a man in the history of the race for any
! social or philanthropic purpose The board
congratulates you upon the high and wise
I impulse which has moved you to this deed.
and desires 10 thank you in behalf Of all
| educational inY whose developments
| IT will advance ..i half OF our country.
I a.
| be made to strengthen and elevate, and
| In behalf of mankind everywhere In whose
interests 1t has been given and for whose
use II is dedicated"
Prominent Men.
| The members Of the board who will adj
minister Mr.. Rockefeller's immense gift.
| include some Of the best known eduea-
tional workers, hnanciers, publicsts and
| phllanthropists In the country.
| While the board was IN session TODAY
| gifts to FIVE colleges were ordered.
| amounting TO 100000, follows;
Beloit college Beloit. wis. Morningslde
! college, Sioux City Ia; Lafayette college.
, Easton, Pa. $4,000 each; Wabash college.
| era wfordsville, Ind. and the University
of Wooster..GS each s125OOO.
! In 1903 the general education board was
| chartered by Congress. II employees Il
| force of experts I'm the study of educa-
J tlonal conditions in all parts Of the Uni
| ted States.
, The organization was adapted TO assist
| Mr. Rockefeller in the distribution Of
| gifts TO education, but II not intended
! to limit the work OF the board TO the adj
| ministration of funds given by him. 1t
was rather designed TO meet wider
need and to offer a medium through which
other men OF means who desire to promote
| education in its various forms In the Uni
| ted states could do so In a systematic.
| Intelligent and effective way. and ths
board Is being used extensively by philan-
| throplsts.
! In March. 1902 John d. Rockefeller
pledged sl.0O0.0o0 TO the work Of the board.
continuing it's use particularly to the study
and promotion Of education in the south