The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-14

establish committees to investigate the
merits OF any cause he IVES asked TO
aid. Before that be had done his own
personal investigating. But it could not
continue; demands grew so rapidly. Upon
those days he now looks back with con-
siderable humOr. He is a different Rookie
Teller now. In any event and what was
serious a decade ago he now finds spotted
with humor.
They Came i'm Crowds.
THE good people who wanted me 10
help them with their good works. he
says. smiling as ne thinks Of the early
days Of his giving. seemed 10 come to
New York in crowds. They brought
their trunks and lived with me. / was
glad TO see them. too, for they were
good. earnest people-they were all earn
est. So they talked 20 me az the break
fast table and they rode downtown
with me TO miss no opportunity. When
LETT my office IN the evening, they were
waiting for me TO ride home with me on
the elevated railway.
And during the ride they told me all
the good qualities OF the charities and
educational organizations they repre-
scented. At dinner they talked 10 me.
and after dinner. too. when a little nap
on a comfortable lounge or IN a rest
ful chair and a quiet chat seemed the
most desirable occupation until bedtime.
These good people would pull up their
chairs and begin: Now. Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter then they would tell their stories.
We'll. ! worked pretty hard at busi-
ness IN those days l liked those good
people. every one Of them. ] respected
their carnestness. and I really wanted TO
help them all But there was only one
OF me, and they were a crowd-a crowd
Increasing IN size every day. l wanted to
retain personal supervision OF what little
1 did in the way OF giving. but ! also
wanted 10 avoid a breakdown So I put
these matters I'm other hands reluctant
~"
Mr. Rockefeller's first experiment at
philanthropy was the organization Of a
society TO which be gave the name Of his
I denomination This had all the appear
ance OF an institution with a popular
: membership. II did attract some volUn-
tary support, although 1t never appealed
for any. From first to last Nj Rookie
Teller supplied just 81 per cent Of the
funds distributed. It's field ranged from
general church interests to educational
work.
After a while. when Il had served its
purpose, we let It die, says Mr. Rookie
Teller.
No Money SquHndered.
Then appeared tho committee through
which the fnanciers giving now is man
aged II IS safe TO say that not $1,000 Of
all the SllS,655020 has been given away
without the same painstaking inquiry and
consideration that IS characteristic of his
every business act. lie hates TO see
money squandered. and 10 apply it to an
undeservIns cause or a visionary move
ment would in mis- eyes constitute a
crime
lew York City is the headquarters FOR
the cash distributing organization. MIR.
Rockefeller is not communicative as TO its
membership, nor the details OF its pro-
ceedings II supplies his first demand for
the thorough investigation OF all appeals.
Its members exercise n limited discretion
as TO gifts based on this investigation.
although Mr.. Rockefeller maintains a
general and careful supervision.
This is now his work, his business. his
chief occupation. II is his rule TO refuse
10 entertain personal appeals, even from
friends who are acting on behalf of in
divicuals. churches. or institutions for
whom and for which they feel able to
vouch. All approaches must be made
through the regular channel Despite This
fact. people still come ClHmOrinE at his
door with appeals. lie speaks OF this
with surprise:
For seventeen years." he said one
morning, after sending a courteous but
firm refusal to the inevitable applicant at
his gates. Il have followed my rule not
to take up these applications personally.
And still they keep coming. wonder II
l had been dead that length OF time II
they would still be seeking me- so per-
sistently2"
And then he told OF the difficulty Of
keeping this rule Of his when he first
made It. His friends, who had been COM
ing to him personally for years with their
missions, their churches, and their chari-
ties, were slow to believe an exception
would not be made in their cases.
Investigation n Fine Art.
His New York committee has made IN
vestigation a fine art. This is the i'm
portant thing in his eyes-that he shall
know with as much certainty as is hu-
manly possible what is to be dcne with
the money he gives and what are to be
the results OF his placing it where he
does.
He is man who freely gives millions.
but VINO hates 10 have a penny squan-
dered. So the work OF investigation done
by his committee is all important This
is no difficult task with educational or
religious institutions. 1t is fairly easy
TO check over their reports. But cases
OF individual need are moro puzzling.
When they concern the aged widow OF
some Baptist minister. for instance. il
often is delicate matter TO discover
both the actual circumstances in which
the woman is placed and what method
will be most effectual In helping her. IT
Is then that this committee displays its
efficiency.
Assisting It, both in investigating cases
under consideration and bringing to Mr..
Rockefellers attention others worthy OF
his interest. are many volunteers men
and women. throughout the country. In
the quietest. most unobtrusive manner.
intimate facts are secured from the clos
est associates Of the persons concerned.
When relief is awarded in these personal
cases It is intelligently applied TO meet
the peculiar circumstances which the in
vestiSatlon has developed. II lump sum
has been sought, for instance. It Is likely
| that small monthly remittance is