New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-28
GIVING AS AN ART
Dir. Rockefeller Treats of 1t tn His
"reminiscences.

John n Rockefeller In the third instslnent OF
his "reminiscences in TIE December number CT The
Worlds Work " treats OF The Difficult Art Of Civ
ing" problem to be worked out II Il were a
business enterprise. The experiences in bringing
method to his assistance literally sprinklei with
advice and coIored with his philosophy Of life
Much money does not bring happiness: the pleas
ure Of possession comes from ability to do things
which give satisfaction some one besides ones
self, he says. He does not attribute the acquisi-
ton of great fortunes to luck.nor 20 skill alone.
The very poor he calls the most generous people
in the world and the most effective service 20 man
kind he believes to be the giving of for pur-
poses that make for the advancement and welfare
of mankind.
1t was in 1890 that Mr. Rockefeller left the hap
hazard method of giving and organized his char
tiles, He had worked himself to the verge Of a
nervous breakdown when he expresses it. I'VE
determined to organize plan this department of
'our daily tasks distinct lines Of progress as
we did business affairs" After writing about
lack Of pleasure in the possession OF wealth
and the privilege Of giving real equivalent for
the money spent, he says
Il would respectfully present this Christrnas
thought, even though crudely EXPRESSED. to the so
called money kings. great and small"
The contribution Of business TO the general
upfft he believes consist in giving TO his en-
ployes good working conditions. new opportunities
and strong stimulus to good work Mr.. Rookie
Teller says further In relation to the duties Of bust
ness men tfat the best philanthropy ia The invest
nent of time or money with relation to the power
Of employing people at a reruneratIve wage and
to give opportunity for progress and ealthful labor
where it did not exist before"
Every young man. instead Of starting his career
with the idea of getting from the world what he
can by any means. is advised by Mr.. Rockefeller
TO ask these questions Of himself:
Where 7 At In that may he most eff
fectve in the work Of the world2 Where I
lend hand in a way most effectively to advance
ffa
pany's president firmly believes that this right
choice will determine the success Of every young
man in the long run He saws:
Investigation will show that the great fortunes
have come TO who have performed great and
far reaching economic serZice-rnen who, with
great faith in the future Of their country. have
done most for the development of its resources
The will be most successful who coufers the
greatest service the world"
The greatest single OBSTACLE in the Of the
progress Of peoples. Mr.. Rockefeller says * the
multiplying OF competitive industries instead Of
the opening Of fields Mr.. Rockefeller then
takes up the specific giving which is practtsed by
his organization. The educational gifts. sums de-
voted 70 research work and other henefcences are
mentioned with a large mead Of praise for the &C
oonrishnents Of the Rockefeller Institute for
Scientific Research In this connection ne intro
duces letter giving the results Of experiment IN
iufIsinz the blood Of animal 10 another me
physician who had done this saved the life 81
child BY the method Thus, MI r"cAeIeleI
saws vivisection justified.
In searching for fields where giving might confer
the greatest blessing the elements that GO 70 MAKE
I'd civilization divided into six classes, ana
Of these progress in the means Of subsistence was
chosen as of the most importance M Rockefeller
saws: Accordingly We have sought so far as We
could 70 make investments in such q way as VIII
tend 70 multiply. 10 cheaper and to difrnse as
universally as possible the comforts Of ife-
Mr Rockefeller says in closing: We have not
bAen satisfied with giving 70 causes that nave ap-
Aaed n Us 70 give 70 m. institutions which have
sought I'D and to neglect others This department
has studied the field Of human progress. and sought
70 contribute to each Of these elements which we
believe tend most 20 promote it Frankly say1Ls
that he believes IN the spirit OF combination in
L,,sinexs hen fairly conducted he sincerely hopes
and Thoroughly believes that the same principles
u-tll eventually prevail in the ART % giving