Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-11-02
GIVES
MILLION TO SOUTH
Oil Kings Gift Will Be Used
Against Hook Worm, Menace,
Scientists Say, in Rural and
Other Communities.

NEW YORK. Oct. 2.-John d. Rookie
Teller has given 100000 to be used In
fighting the hook worm" disease. His
gift was announced at the offices OF the
Standard OIL Co. yesterday.
A dozen well-known educators and
scientists. selected in large part from In
situations OF learning in the south, where
the parasite is prevalent, were called In
conference with Mr.. Rockefeller's repre-
sentatives at the Standard OIL Companys
offices at Is Broadway. last tuesday, and
at that meeting Mr.. Rockefeller's desire
10 organize a commission TO carry on
campaign against the malady was DIS
cussed. AS a result Of this discussion OF
the situation, the Rockefeller commits
sion for the Eradication OF the Hook
Worm Disease" was organized.
SCIENTISTS ON BOARD.
The members OF this commission as
selected by Mr.. Rockefeller are: DR.. Will
liam II. welch. professor Of pathology In
Johns Hopkins university, president OF
the American Medical association; DR..
Simon Flexner, director OF Rockefeller
Institute for Medical Research; DR..
Charles W. Stiles, chief OF the division
of zoology, United States Public Health
and Marine hospital service, and discov-
erer of the American species OF i hook
worm, and the prevalence OF the disease
1 In America: Dr. Edward A. Alderman,
president of the University Of Virginia,
| DR.. David F. Houston, chancellor o.
washington university, st. Louis, Mo-;
Prof. P. p. Claxton, professor or educa-
tion in the University Of Tennessee; Hon.
| ]. Y. Joyner. state superintendent OF ed
ucation in North Carolina, and PRESIDENT
OF the National Educational association;
Walter H. Page, editor of the World
vvort. DR. II. B. Frissell, principal
TIamnton institute; Frederick 7. Gates.
one OF Mr.. BOOKSELLERS business man
ayers. starr ]. Murphy, Mr.. Rockefener.s
| counsel In benevolent matters; John ID.
Rockefeller. Jr. -.
All INIT professor Claxton and Mr.. JOY
ner were present at the meeting Iuesoay'
and they have both since accepted places
on the boards elected to carry out Mr..
Rockefeller's plans.
In calling these gentlemen together Tor
T,,esdav's conference, Mr.. Rockefeller ad-
dressed to each letter pointing out his
interest in relieving the human suffering
caused by the hook worm" parasite, es-
necially because he said, II had been his
Measure to spend a portion of each year
among the warm-hearted people Of the
south, and he welcomed the opportunity
to express appreciation of their many
kindnesses and hospitalities.
The members Of the commission In
framing a reply to Mr.. Rockefeller's Of
fer of 100000. declared that the propo-
sition met with their heartiest approba-
ton.
100000 INFECTED.
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 and death from the
intelligent and well-to-do as well as from
the less fortunates."
Mr.. Rockefeller wrote to the con-
ferees: --.-.
New York. October 2s. 1SOs-Gentle-
men: For many months my representa-
tives have been inquiring into the nature
and prevalence of hook worm disease
and considering plans for mitigating It's
evils. have delayed action in this mat
ter only until the facts as to the extent
Of the disease could be verified and the
effectiveness Of its cure and prevention
demonstrated.
The wide distribution and the serious
effects OF this malady. particularly in the
rural districts of our southern. states
first pointed out by DR.. Charles wardell
Stiles. OF the United States public health
and marine hospital service. have now
been confirmed by independent observa-
tons OF other distinguished investigators
and physicians, as well as educators and
public men of the south.
Knowing your interest In all that per-
tains TO the well-being OF your fellow-men
and your acquaintance with this SUBJ
ject, have invited you to a conference
In the hope that IT may lead to the adop-
ton OF well-considered plans for a CO.
operative movement of the medical pro-
fession. public health. officials. boards
of trade. churches. schools. the press and
other agencies. for the cure and proven
ton Of this disease.
fsTf Won deem, a. x.-t~o A..
this commission 1 shall be glad 10
be permitted to work with Won tn
that end and you may call upon me
from time to time for such sums as
may be needed during the next five
years for carrying on an aggressive
campaign, up to a total of one million
dollars CS1.Ooo.O00)
WOULD HELP SOUTH.
While II would be a privilege to act
in any movement which offers assur-
ance OF relieving human suffering. il is
peculiar pleasure to me to feel that the
principal activities of your board will be
among the people of our southern states.
Il has been my pleasure of late to spend
portion of each year in the south and
have came 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 qualification to
me II in this way 1 may in some meas
ure express my appreciation OF their
many kindnesses and Inequalities.
Very truly.
JOHN d. ROCKEFELLER"
The reply. signed by all the members
OF the commission. was as follows:
New York. October 26, l9Oe-Mr. John
d. Rockefeller. New York City-Dear Sir:
Your generous offer TO pay such sums
as may be needed during the next five
years up to a total OF ST. 100000. TO carry
on a scientific and popular campaign for
/ Graduating hook worm disease has our
heartiest appreciation; and we accent
your invitation to administer this trust
with a keen appreciation OF the oppor-
| tunity that you give US to do a great
public good.
I'VE have today taken steps for or
ganization and incorporated for practi-
cal work, and have named this board
The Rockefeller Commission for the
Eradication OF Hook Worm Diseases
The hook worm parasites often so
lower the vitality of those who are af-
fected as to retard their physical and
mental development, render them more
susceptible to other diseases, make labor
less efficient, and, In the sections where
the malady is most prevalent, greatly in
crease the death rate from consumption,
pneumonia, typhoid fever and malaria
II has been shown that the lowered vi