Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-29

New York. Oct 2s.-A gilt of $1,000
900 by John D. Rockefeller to fight the
Hook worm" disease was announced
at the offices of the Standard Oil Co.
here late today. A dozen wellknown
educators and scientists, selected in
large part from institutions Of learning
in the South, where the parasite l.;
prevalent We're called in conference
with Mr.. Rockefeller's representative
at the Standard Oil Cos. offices at 26
broadway last Tuesday and at that
meeting Mr.. Rockefeller's desire to Or
ganize a commission to carry on "a cam
paign against the malady was discuss
cd. AS a result of this discussion of the
situation the Rockefeller commission
for the eradication of the "Hook worm
disease was organized.
The members of this commission. as
selected by Mr. Rockefeller, are: Dr..
William WEIGH, professor of pathology
in Johns Hopkins University, president
of the American Medical Association;
DR.. Simon FleXner, director of Rock
efeller Institute for Medical Research,
DR.. Charles w Stiles, chief of the di-
vision of zoology. United States Pub
lie Health and Marine Hospital Ser
vice, and discovery of the American
species of hook worm and the prevail
ance of the disease in America; DR..
Edwin A. Alderman. president of the
University of Virginia.; DR.. David f.
Houston. chancellor of Washington
University of ST Louis, Mo; Prof. P.
=. Claxton. professor of education In
the University of Tennessee: }. Y. Joy
npr. state superintendent of education
in North Carolina, and president OF the
National Educational Association;
Walter II. Page, editor of '"The World
Work.; DR.. Fl. B. Frizzel, principal of
Hampton Institute; Frederick I.
Gates. one of Mr., Rockefeller's bust
ness managers: starr Murphy Mr..
| Rockateller's counsel in benevolent
matters; John d. Rockefeller. Jr.
An but Prof Claxton and Mr.. JOY
ner were at the meeting Thursday ana
| thew have both since accepted places
on the board selected to carry out Mir
Rockefeller's plans.
In calling these gentlemen together
| for Tuesdays conference, Mr. Rookie
| Teller addre sSed to each letter reclt'
| ing his interest in relieving the suffer
| ing caused by the "hook worm para
site as follows:
| "For many months my representa-
tihes have been inGuiring into the ma
| turc and prevalence of hook worm
disease" and considering plans fo'
mitigating its evils. / have delayed &C
ton in this matter only until the fact
as to The extent of the disease coult
| he verified and the effectiveness OF IL
cure and prevention demonstrated.
| "J'he wide distribution and serious
effects Of this malady particularly II
the rural districts of our Southern
states, first pointed out by DR.. Charlie
| WardeIl stiles of the United State
Public Health and Marine Hospita
Service, have now been confirmed b,
indapendent observations of other dis
| tingushcd investigators and ply
sicians as well as by educators ant
public men of the South
knowing your interest in all tina
pertains to the well being OF your fel
| low men and your acquaintance wit
this subject. l have invited you to
conference in the hope that it ma
| lead TO the adoption of Well-conSidere
Mans for a cooperative movement G
the medical profession, public healt
i officials boards of trade, churche:
schools. the press and other agencie
for the cure and prevention of thi
disease.
EFF YOU deem it wise to undertake
this commission | shall be glad to b
i permitted to work with you to that On
ana YOU may call upon me from tim
i To time for such sums as may be need
ed during the next five years for cal
rvinp on an aggressive campaign, u
10 q total of one million dollars Isl
O0n. 000).
"While 1t would be privilege to az
in any movement which offers assur
ance of relieving human suffering
is peculiar pleasure to me to fe'
that the principal activities of you
board will he among the people of ou
Southern states. 1t has been my pleas
ure of late to spend portion of eac
year in the South and I have com
to know ana to respect greatly tha
part of our country and to enjoy tn
society and friendship of many of II
warm-hearted people. 1t will there
fore he an added qualification to me,
in this way I may in some measur
express my appreciation of their man
kindnesses and Inequalities.
Very truly,
L JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER"
The reply was signed by all til
members of the commission and wa
as follows
''Your generous offer to pay such sum
as may be needed during the next fiv
years up to total of 81 100000 to carry
scientific and popular campaign fo
! graduating the "hook worm disease" ma
our heartiest approval and we acceI