The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-11-02
J. D. ROCKEFELLER
GIVES 4 MILLION
TO FIGHT THE "HOOKWORM
DISEASE
Noted Scientists and Educators on
Commission Which Will Fight
Disease in South.
New York World, 10Th.

new YORK WOrlQ, ASLn.
John D. Rockefeller has given ST.
100000 to stamp out the hookworm
disease in the Southern States and to
cure the 100000 persons who, it is
estimated, suffer from it there.
Mr.. Rockefeller wrote this letter
under date Of Oct. 26, to a dozen we'll
known educators and scientists, IN
viting them to meet his representa-
tives at the Standard Oil Company's
Office, No. 26 Broadway, last Tues
day: /
'sGentlemen-Fo many months my
representatives have been inquiring
into the nature and prevalence OF
shookworm disease and considering
plans for mitigating its evils. I have
T. delayed action in this matter only
until the facts as TO the extent Of the
disease could be verified and the eff
feetiveness Of its cure and prevention
demonstrated.
DISCOVERIES Observations Confirmed.
"The wide distribution and serious
effects Of this malady, particularly
the rural districts Of our Southern
States, first pointed out by DIR.
Charles Wardel Stiles of the United
States Public Health and Marine,
Hospital Service, have now been con-
6rmed by independent observations
Of other distinguished Investigators
and physicians, as we'll as by educa-
tors and public men of the South.
::Knowing your interest in all thai
pertains to the wellbeing Of your fell
lowmen and your acquaintance with
this subject, I have invited you to a
conference in the hope that it may
lead to the adoption Of well-eonsider-
ed plans for cooperative movement
Of the medical profession, public
health officials, boards of trade,
churches, schools, the press and 9TH
er agencies for the cure and preven-
ton of this disease.
''If you deem it wise to undertake
this commission, I shall be glad to be
permitted to work with you to that
end, and you may call upon me from
fsne to time for such sums as may be
needed during the next five years tor
CARRYING on an aggressive campaign,
no to a. total of one million dollars
($l,o00,O00).
''While it would be privilege to
act m any movement which offers
assurance Of relieving human suffer
ing, it is peculiar pleasure to me to
feel that the principal activities of
your board will be among the people
Of our Southern States. 1t has been
my pleasure Of late to spend a por-
ton Of each year in the South, and l
have come to know and to respect
greatly that part of our country and
to enjoy the society and friendship
of many Of its warm,hearted people.
It will therefore be an added grat1h-
cation to me if in this way l may IN
some measure express my apprecla-
tion Of their many kindnesses and
hespttalities. Very truly,
tsJohn D. Rockefeller"
Noted Men On Commission. 20
In response to this letter all but
swo Of these gentlemen met at No. 20
Broadway:
Or, William Il. Neleh, Of Balt'-
more, President Of the American
Medical Association, Professor OF
Pathology in Johns Hopkins unlvef'
sity; !, -.
Dr.. Simon Flexner, New York, Di=
rector of the Rockefeller Institute Tor
Medical Research, diseoverer OF the
antitoxin employed in cerebre=splnai
meningitis;
DR.. Charles W. Stiles, Chief Of the
Division of Zoology, United States
Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service. and discoverer Of the Amerl-
can species Of hookworm and the
prevalence Of the disease in America;
DR.. Edwin A. Alderman, President
Of the University of Virginia;
Dr. David F. Houston, Chancellor
Of Washington University, St. Louis;
Prof. P. P. Claxton, Professor OF
Education in the University OF len
sessee;
J.Y. Joyner, State Superintendent
Of Education in North Carolina and
President Of the National Education
al Association;
Walter H. Page, editor Of The
Worlds Work;
DR.. H. B. Frissell. Principal Hamp-
ton Institute;
Frederick T. Gates, one OF MI