Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1909-09-04

nothing away. He would laugh at the
mere suggestion that it is his duty to
give away money, or that he holds
his money in trust for the people or
for society at large. What he would
cry, My money is mine, l made it,
or 1 inherited it. 1t is mine, mine, my
very owni 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 mans millions-that he is mere
ly trustee of his wealth.
"In Europe, as 1 said, millionaires
do not give away their money. At
least not while they are alive. When
they die they may have a trifiing sum
to charity; and the general public
will excIaim: 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
OSSh taught has dlW ISSoS-
nized that it has certain duties to So
ciety at large. This is not so on the
continent. 1 can think of only one
millionaire in Europe who is public
spirited in his munificence, and this
one is the French Baron Rothschild.
In America your millionaires give
away vast sums, but l 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 millionaires
are restrained in so many ways, you
allow them to do some things which
we would never allow them to do in
Europe You allow them to found uni
versitieS, You allow them to devote
their millions to founding and support
ing vast establishments in which the
youth Of the nation is to acquire its
ideals. If the millionaires themselves
cannot teach the rising generation the
ideals they would like them to ac-
qiure, they can at least select the men
who are to teach them. May there
not be some method in this kind of
giving?''
why do you say that a millionaire
could not found a university in Eu-
roper" asked the writer.
THE state would not allow it,
| came the reply, like shot from a rapid
| fire gun. IF a millionaire started to
do anything of that sort the state
would instantly step in and say to
him: No, my dear sir; do what you
like with your money, but leave the
| training of our youth to me. 1, the
| state, have charge of that. 1t is for
me alone to say how the young men
| and women are to be brought up;
! will place before them the ideals that
/ think they should have. I will allow
| of no interference on your part Such
| an institution as Chicago university
is unimaginable in any country of Eu-
| rope. 1t would not be tolerated for
| one moment 1t is a beautiful place
1 was glad to lecture there, but could
! not help thinking what a peril to
America it might become, what sin
! lister possibilities are latent within it
/ Mr.. Rockefeller, 1 understand does
not interfere at all in the manage
| ment of that university; he does not
| dictate the professors who shall lee
! ture there nor the curriculum that
| shall be followed; and from what
have been able to learn 70 him DOM
| think he ever will But some success
sor to his millions might choose te
| WELD the power which Mr. Rockefel
Ter has thus far let alone. Think Of
| the power such a man would have il
he wanted to exercise it. Think O.
| the ideals that might be set before the
youth of America by an INSCRIPTION.
millionaire. controlling a universit,
through his donations It is too grea
a power to be permitted to any man
and l am amazed that in America