Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-04
GIVES MILLION
TO HELP SOUTH
John D. Rockefeller Wants to
Eradicate the "Hookworm
Disease" There.
He SELECTS A COMMISSION
Prominent southern Educators and
Scientists to Garry on Campaign
against the MRlndy-T<o MIL
lion People Are Infected
with the Parasite.

New York, Oct cS.--A gift Of one million
dollars BY John D. Rockefeller TO light
the "hook wor,n disease" was announced
at the Offices OF tho Standard OF! company
here late to-day.
A dozen wc)l known educators and
scientists. selected In large part from
institutions Of learning IN the South
where tho parasite is prevalent. were
called In conference with Mr.. Rockefeller
representatives at the standard OIL com
pany's offices last Tuesday and Mt that
meeting Mr.. Rockefeller's desire tc
organize a commission TO carry on n
campaign against the malady was dis
cussed. AS a result of this discussion
OF the situation the "Rockefeler commits
sion for the eradication OF the hookworn'
disease" was organized.
The members of this commission, as
selected by Mr.. Rocl:cfeller. are:
Or. William II. Welcn. professor Of
pathology in Johns Hopkins University.
president Of the American Medical as
ISOLATION.
DR. Simon FIexner, director Of Rookie
Teller Institute for Medical Research.
Or. Charles W. stiles. chief of the
division cf zoology. United states public
discoverer Of the American species of
hookworm and the prevalence Of the
disease in America.
DR.. Edwin a. Alderman, president of
the University Of Virginia.
Dr.. David r. Houston. chancellor OF
Washington University, ST. Louis, Mo.
p. p. CLAYTON, professor Of education
IN the University Of Tennessee.
-
education in North Carolina, and presi-
dent Of the National Educational associa-
tion.
Walter II. Page editor Of the Worlds
Work.
Or. H. r. Frissell, principal Hampton
Institute.
Frederick T. Gates. one of Mr.. Rookie
feller's business managers; Starr ]
Murphy. Mr.. Rockefeller's counsel in
benevolent matters. and John d. Rookie
Teller Jr.
All but Prof Claxton end Mr.. Joyner
were present OF the meeting Tuesday and
they have both since accepted places or
the board selected to carry out Mr.
Rockefeller's plans.
HE LIKES THE SOUTHERNERS.
In calling these gentlemen together for
Tuesdays conference. Mr.. Rockefeller
addressed 10 each n letter pointing cut
his interest in relieving the human suf-
fering caused by the "hookworm'' para
site. especially because. he said, It had
been his pleasure to spend a portion OF
each year among the warmhearted peo-
pie Of the South and lie welcomed the
opportunity to express appreciation OF
their many k!ndnesses and hospitali-
ties
The members OF the commission in
framing a reply to Mr.. Rockefeller's Of
fer Of slC0o,dh0 declared that the pro-
position met with their heartiest appro-
baton Two millions of our people are
infected with this parasite" they added.
1T IS by no means confined TO one
class 1t takes its toll OF suffering end
death from the intelligent and well TO
do as well as from the less fortunate"
Mr.. Rockefeller wrote TO the conferees
under date of October &c, 1909
For many months my Representatives,
have been inquiring into the nature and
prevalence of hookwcrrn disease and
considering plans for mitigating its
evils. have DELAYED action IN this mat
ter only until tie facts MS to the OK
tent OF the disease could be verified and
the effectiveness of its cure ami preven-
ton demonstrated
'Th" wide distribution ard serious cf-
feet 81 this malgdy, particularly In the
rural districts of our southern States
hfst pointed out b. Or. Chas. Wardell
Stiles Of tie United States public health
INA marine hospital service have now
>een confirmed by Independent observa-
Mons o. other distinguished investiya-
lors and nhyslcann. as we'll Ms by edu-
.ators and public men Of the South.
HCFHS FOR COOPERATION.
Knowing your interest in all that per-
tains to tho we'll being Of your fellowmen
ana your acquaintance with this subject.
have invited YOU to conference In the
hope that 1t may lead to the adoption of
well considered plans for n co-operat tive
movement Of the medical profession, pub
lie health officials, boards OF trade,
churches, schools, the press and other
agencies for the cure and prevention OF
this disease
III you deem 1t wise to undertake this
commission, ! shall be glad to be per-
mitteG to work with you to that end and
you may call upon me from time to time
for such sums as may be needed du-:ig
the next Ave years for carrying on an az
gressive campaign. up to a total one mil
lion dollars.
while 1t would be n privilege to act
in any movement which offers assurance
Of relieving human suffering, it is n pc
euliar pleasure to me to feel that the
principal activities of your board will be
among the people OF our southern States
II has been my Measure of late 10 spend