The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-07-01
A Better Way.

AS1ICQ CQllOlIdl NlAlfNtolAlS,
the library building scheme of CaIne-
gle and suggesting other lines along
which his gifts might be directed
with greater benefit to- the public. 1t
is not considered in good taste to
''loAok gift horse in the mouth; yet
a man might be excusaDle for hesi-
tating to receive one whose keeping
would cost more than he animal
would be worth to I'm 4 white ele-
phant' is proverbially an unwelcome
gift.
Libraries are good III a community.
Re: ding is a means or culture, pre-
vldlr2 it is a proper kind; and cul-
tire helps 10 make HE worth living.
Brt. it 5 absolutely essential for an
individual to be able to make liv
ing, before he can enjoy it. And II
would be better, even than the gift
of libraries if accumulated wealth in
the hands OF the fortunate could be
systematically and wisely applied in
aiding the unfortunate to obtain
livelihood
Tragedies OF the unemployed have
been daily occurring in our large cit
les Suffering, starvation and some
times crime are the consequences OF
enforced idleness AT the same time
fertile lands are lying idle, or are
but partially utilized, which properly
cultivated, would yield sustenance in
abundance To bring the land and the
unemployed together under oircum-
stances that would enable the latter
TO benefit from the resources of the
former, requires money. And what
nobler, more philantllr opic, more pa
triotic use can be made OF Eloney
than thus to promote the happiness
of the worthy but unfortunate?
If the millionaire, like Carnegie or
Rockefeller, world devote part OF his
millions and some of his business
ability to a systematic plan FOR pro-
noting rural industry, he would ac-
comphsh more for humanity than he
can by the endowment OF universe
ties or the building OF libraries
Large tracts of land might be
bought and st5b-divided into farms,
to be sold on long time at cost prices
and with low rates of interest A
fund might be provided to be loaned
without interest, to aid in transport
tation to the farms, and in furnishing
necessary facilities for starting The
principle should be the same as
church organizations use in aiding
students for the ministry or feeble
societies in building houses OF wor-
Ship. The money is to be repaid when
the recipient is able Interest paid =
those who prosper will Offset -
losses incurred from those who fail.
Possibly, funds SO employed might
not rebound to SO widespread a fame
as that given by names inscribed on
45brary buildings or university hans
but to the person of humane sensi-
bility or TO the practical philanthro-
Pist it must appeal as the better way
There is sense of justice in it
also. The wealth of Carnegie is bu:
the accumulated Increment of profits
on the labor OF his employees. The
enormous amount of these accumula-
tions is but the measure of the favors
extended him by the country in it:
protective tariff. What more just
than thai he, out of his abundanc,
sid the laboring man to obtain liv-
ing and thus contribute to the pros
perf1y OF the country Rockefeller
through his monopolies, levies the
tribute that forms his millions or
rich and poor alike, and by his mer-
CHESS system has destroyed the bust
ness of competitors, reducing many
families to poverty 1t would be Z
fitting return were he to furnish The
poor opportunity 10 gain health
full livelihood and through their in
dividual prosperity return to all Z
sight recotnpense for what all have
contributed towards his fortune.
Both men are cool-headed anC
practical They are but types OF man,
whom fortune has favored None D
these has been accused OF softnes!
of heart while accommodating. They
have been 'unsatisfled in getting,
but apparently they are now desir
Gus of being reckoned as mos
princely" in bestowing. Their gift.
are, in a way, benefactions; but :
giving that would help the worthy
and industrious poor to help them
selves would be "a more excellen
way"