Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1909-08-31

WF' n
nothing away. lie would laugh at the
mere suggestion that 1t is his duty to
give away money. or that he holds
his money in trust for the people OF
for society at large. what he would
cry MY money is mine! / made II,
or inherited Il. II Is mine, mine, my
very own! To do with as like!' And
everybody would agree with him. No
one in Europe would suggest that
millions entail a duty to society. Yet
here such a notion is quite prevalent
1t is even put forth gravely by mil
lionaires themselves. Mr.. Carnegie
expounded to me this very theory,
which to a European sounds so ex'
traordinary. that the community at
large has an absolute right to share
in a mans millions-that he is mere.
| ly a trustee of his wealth.
in Europe, as | said, millionaires
do not give away their money. Al
least not while they are alive. When
they die they may have a trifiing sum
to charity; and the general public
will exclaim: How generous!' In
| England this is not so much so as on
the continent, for the British aristoc
racy, whose wealth is largely inner
tied from long generations, has always
been taught and has always recog
nized that it has certain duties to so
ciety at large. This is not so on the
continent. / can think OF only one
millionaire in Europe who is public
spirited in his munifcence, and this
one is the French Baron Rothschild
In America your millionaires give
away vast sums. but do not believe
that even they give altogether because
they love giving No millionaire
likes to give up his money!"
A broad. quizzical laugh put the ex
clamation point at the close OF this
sentence.
The Fundamental Difference.
But! Although your millionairei
are restrained in so many ways, yol
allow them to do some things which
J we would never allow them to do II
Europe. You allow them to found uni
versities! You allow them to devot,
their millions to founding and support
ing vast establishments in which tn,
youth of the nation is to acquire III
ideals. If the millionaires themselves
cannot teach the rising generation thu
ideals they would like them to ac
qiure, they can at least select the mel
who are to teach them. May ther,
not be some method in this kind o
giving?"
why do you say that a millionair,
could not found a university in Eu
roper" asked the writer.
The state would not allow IT,!
came the reply, like shot frcm a rapid
fire gun. IF a millionaire started I,
do anything of that sort the stat
would instantly step in and say L
him: No, my dear sir; do what yo
like with your money, but leave tn
training of our youth to me. |, tn
state, have charge OF that II is 70
me alone TO say how the young me
and women are to be brought up;
will place before them the ideals tha
| think they should have. | will allo'
of no interference on your part Sue
an institution as Chicago universit
is unimaginable in any country of III
rope 1t would not be tolerated fc
one moment. IL is a beautiful plac
9 was glad to lecture there. but | coul
4 not help thinking what a peril
) America il might become. what sil
I lister possibilities are latent within |
!. Mr.. Rockefeller, | understand, doe
g not interfere at all In the manag
1 ment of that university, he does nj
e dictate the professors who shall le
ture there nor the curriculum thf
shall be followed; and from what
!, have been able to learn TO him | don
( think he ever will But some succe
y sor to his millions might choose
; WELD the power which Mr.. Rockefe
s Ter has thus far let alone. Think {
g the power such a man would have
8 he wanted TO exercise IT, Think {
e the ideals that might be set before th
s youth OF America by an unscrupulou
o millionaire controlling universit
Q through his donations 1t is too gres
a power to be permitted to any MAJ
8 and / am amazed that In Amerie