The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-28
Mr.. Rockefeller Recommend S
Philanthropy Com binatiOn.
Says That Much Money Now
Wasted Can Be Saved.
HE MUST BE SHOWN.
Before He Pays Attention to
Appeals for Aid.
Late DIR. Harper Never Asked
Him for a Cent.

New York, Dec. 2S III a com DlnatlOn
to do business is effective in saving
waste and in getting better results, why
is not combination far more important
in philanthropic work?" In this question
is set forth the text of an article by
John D. Rockefeller. head of the Stand
ard OIL interests published in the cur
rent issue of the Worlds Work. The
general subject of Mr.. Rockefeller's ar
ticle is "The value of the cooperative
principle in giving"
Mr.. Rockefeller expresses the benef
that the general idea of cooperation in
giving for education scored "a real step
in advance when Mr.. Andrew Carnegie
consented to become a member of the
general education board, for in ac-
cepting n position in this directory he
has, it seems to me- stamped with his
approval this vital principle of coop
Grafton in aiding the educational insti-
tutions of our country"
He goes on to describe in some detail
the work OF the general education board
which he says has made or is making
a careful study of the location, aims,
work, resources, administration and ed
ucational value present and prospective,
of the institutions of higher learning in
the United States. The board, he says,
makes its contribution averaging some
thing like $2,000,000 year. or the most
careful comparative estimate of needs
and opportunities throughout the coun-
try. Its records are open to all. Many
benefactors of education are availing
themselves of these disinterested inquir-
so.'
Some interesting general remarks
on the subject of benevolence illumin
ate Mr.. ROckefeller's point of view.
For instance he says:
Much Money wasted.
"To help an inefficient, in-located,
unnecessary school is a waste. 1 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 educa-
tional projects to have built up ma
tionaI system of higher education ade-
quate to our need if the money had
been properly directed to that end.
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 organi-
cations are accustomed to secure from
the same expenditure. ''It is unnec-
essary 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.. Rock
efeller says that four-fifths of them
are requests for money for personal
use. with no other title to considera-
ton than that the writer would be
gratified to have it
Mr.. Rockefeller pays a warm trib-
ute to the memory of the late DIR.
William r. Harper, president of the
University of Chicago and makes
without qualification the statement
which will be surprising 10 many per-
sons. that during the entire period
of his presidency of the University of
Chicago. he never once either wrote
me Il letter or asked personally for
a dollar of money for the university.
How to Get Money.
=, i,,+ h ice in
all other cases the gifts to the univer-
sity were the result of the presenta-
ton of it's needs made In writing by
the officers of the university. whose
special duty it is to prepare its
budgets and superintend its finances.
1t is not personal interviews and I'M
passioned appeals. but sound and jus
tifying worth that should attract and
secure the funds of philanthropy.
The people in great numbers who are
constantly importuning me for per-
sonal interviews in behalf of favorite
causes err in supposing that the inter-
view were it possible. is the best way,
or even 8, good way, of securing what
they want"
In the course of his article Mr..
Rockefeller says of himself: "Criti-
cism that is deliberate, sober and fair
is always valuable and 1t should be
welcomed by all who desire progress.
] have had at least my full share of
adverse criticism. but / can truly say
that II mas not eHlDllteIeu me, nor leA'
me with any harsh feeling against a
living soul Nor do wish to be critical
of-those whose conscientious judg-
ment frankly expressed differs from
my own. No matter how noisy the
pessimists may be. we know that the
world is getting better steadily ano
rapidly and that it is a good thing to
remember in our moments of depres-
sion or humilationS. '
Landlady-You will either have to pay
what YOU owe or leave. SloWpay-Thanks
10 7 a they made df