Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-28
A GOOD TRUST At LAST
Combine for Philanthropy,
Says Rockefeller.
WASTE OF MONEY SCORED
Head of Standard Oil a Magazine
Contributor.
HE TALKS OF HIMSELF, TOO
Has Had His Share of Adverse Crit
icism, But Is Still Sweet
Tempered.
He TALKS OF HIMSELF, TOO

NEW YORK. December 2s-'If COM
binat:on to do business is effective in saw
ing waste and in getting better results
why is not combination far more i'm
portant in philanthropic work?" In this
question is set forth the text of an ar
ticle by John D. Rockefeller head OF the
Standard Oil interests. published in the
current issue of the Worlds Work The
general subject of Mr.. Rockefellers ar
ticle is 1.-The value OF the cooperative
principle in giving
Mr.. Rockefeller expresses the belief that
the general idea of cooperation in giving
FOR education scored "a real step in ad-
vance when Andrew Carnegie consented
to become a member of the general edu-
cation board. "for in accepting position
in this directory he has, it seems to me.
stamped with his approval this vital
principle of cooperation in aiding the
educational institutions Of our country
He goes on to describe in some detail
the work of the general education board.
which. he sad, has made or is making
careful study Of the location. aims. work.
resources. administration and educational!
value. present ard prospective, of the
institutions of higher learning in the
United States. The board. he says. makes
us averaging SOiuetHlHS like
$2rOO.OU year. on the most careful
comparative study of needs and oppOr-
tun:ties throughout the country.
Records Open to All.
Its records are open to ALL he says.
Many benefactors of education are avail
ing themselves Of these disinterested in
quiries. and it is hoped that more will
do So
Some interesting general remarks on
the subject of benevo1ence illuminate
Mr.. Rockefeller's point of view. For
instance, he says:
ITO help an inefficient, ill-located. I'M
necessary school is a waste, l am told
by those who have given most careful
study to this problem that it is highly
probable that enough money has been
squandered on unwise educational prof.
ects to have built up a national system
of higher education adequate to our
need if the money had been properly
directed to that end
Commends Catholic Organization.
OF Roman Catholic methods. Mr..
Rockefeller said that he has "seen the
organization of the Roman Church Sc
cure better results with given sum
of money than other church organiza-
tons are accustomed to secure from the
same expenditure. It is unnecessary to
dwell upon the centuries of experience
which the Church Of Rome has gone
through to perfect great power of
organization"
Commenting upon the great mass OF
appealing letters received, Mr.. Rookie
Teller says that four-fifths of them are
requests for money for personal use,
with no other title to consideration
than that the writer would be gratified
tos have it,
Mr.. Rockefeller pays warm tribute
to the memory Of the late DR.. William
r. Harper, president Of the University
of Chicago, and makes without Qualid-
cation the statement, which will be sur
prising to many persons. that during
the entire period Of his presidency Of
the University of Chicago he never
once either wrote me letter or asked
me personally for dollar OF money Tor
the university.
He goes on 10 explain that iii this. as
in all other cases. the gifts to the unl~
versity were the result OF the presenta-
ton of its needs 'made in writing by the
officers OF the university. whose Special
duty i. is to prepare its budgets and
superintend its finances. IT is not per-
sonal interviews and imprisoned appeals.
but sound and justifying worth that
should attract and secure the funds of
philanthropy. The people in great num-
bers who are constantly importuning me
for personal interviews in behalf of ia
vorite causes err in supposing that the
interview. were 1t possible, is the best
way. or even good way, of securing
what they want.
Talks of Himself.
In the course of his article Mr.. Rookie
Teller says OF himself, Criticism that Is
deliberate, sober and fair is always valu-
able, and it should be welcomed by all
who desire progress. l. have had at least
my full share of adverse criticism, but
I can truly say that it has not embit-
tered me, nor left me with any harsh
feeling against a living soul. Nor do
wish 10 be critical OF those whose con-
scientious judgment. frankly expressed,
differs from my own. No matter how
noisy the pessimists may be, We know
that the world is getting better steadily
and rapidly. and that ii is a good thing
to remember in our moments of depres-
sion or humiliationS