The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-01-01
JOHN D'S VIEWS
ON PHILANTHROPY
Says Addition Of Carnegie to Mem
bership of Education Boara is "a
Real Slip in Advance"
By Associated Press

BY Associated Press
New York, Dec. 29.-eIf combination
to do business is effective in saving waste
and getting better results, why is not
combination far more important in phil
anthropic work. In this question is set
forth the text Of an article by John D.
Rockefeller, head Of the Standard Oil in
terests, published IN the current issue Of
the Worlds Work The general subject
Of Mr. Rockefeler's article is The Value
Of the Cooperative Principle in Giving
/ Mr.. Rockefeller expresses the belief that
the general idea Of cooperation in giving
for education scored a real step in ad-
vance when Mr.. Andrew Carnegie con
sented TO become member Of the
General Education Board for in accept
ing a position in this directory he has.
il seems to me stamped with his approval
this vital principle of cooperation in aid
ing the educational Institutions Of our
country"
lie goes on TO describe in some detail
the work Of the General Education Board
which he SAID has made, or is making
a careful study Of the location, aims
work, resources, administration and edu-
cational value, present and prospective
Of the institutions Of higher learning IN
the United States The board, he says
makes its contributions averaging some
thing like S2.000000 Il year or the most
careful comparative study IL the needs
and opportunities throughout the country
Its records are open to an Many bene-
factors Of education are availins them
selves Of these disinterested inauiries,and
lie Is hoped that more will do So"
Some interesting general remarks ou
the subject 81 bsnevoIence illuminate Mr.
Rockefellcr,s point OF view. For instance
he says
"To help on inefficient ill-locatea I'M
necessary school is a waste am toldby
those who have given most careful study
to this problem that il is highly probable
that enough money has been squandered
on unwise educational projects TO have
built up a national system VI higher edu-
cation adequate to our need i the money
had been properly directed TO that end.
OF Roman Catholic methods Mr. Rookie
feller said that he has seen the organl-
zation Of the Roman church secure better
results with a given SUN Of money than
other church organizations are acclss-
toned TO secure from the same expendi-
ture. Il is unnecessary 10 dwell upon the
centuries Of experience which the Church
Of Rome has gone through to perfect a
great power Of organization
Commenting on the great mass of ap-
peaIing letters received. Mr. Rockefellec
says that four-ffths of them are requests
for money for personal use with no other
title to consideration ihan that the writer
would be gratified TO have il"
Mr.. Rockefeller pays warm tribute TO
the memory Of the late Dr. William R.
Harper. president Of the University Of
Chicago, and makes. without qualification
the statement which VIII be surprising
TO many persons, that during the entire
period Of his precidency Of the University
Of Chicago. he never once either wrote me
a letter or asked me personally for a dol
lar Of money for the university lie goes
on 70 explain that IN this as well as in
an other cases. the gifts 10 the university
we're the result Of the presentation Of its
needs, made in writing by the officers Of
the university. whose special duty il is 70
prepare It's budgets and superintend iis
finances Il Is not personal interviews
and impassioned appeals, but sound and
iustifying worth that should attract and
secure the funds Of philanthropy. The
people II great numbers who are con
stantly imporunine me for personal
interviews in behalf Of iavonte causes err
in supposing that the interview. were It
possible. is the best way or even a good
way. Of securing what they want
In the course Of bis article Mr.. Rocke-
feller says Of himself Criticism that IS
deliberate sober and fair is always valu-
able, and il should be welcomed By all
who desire progress. ! have had my
share Of adverse criticism. but can truly
say that il has not embittered me. nor
left with me any harsh feeling against a
living soul Nor do wish to be critical
Of those whose conscientious judgment.
frankly expressed, differs with my 0wn
No matter how noisy the pessimists may
be.we know that the world is getting better
steadily and rapidly, and ,hat il is eooa
thing 70 remember In our moments Of de
preston and humiliation.