Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-05
ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION TO
BE OF VARIED AND UNLlM-
TIED SCOPE.
CHARITY AND PHILANTHROPY
ON AN IMMENSE SCALE
Rockefeller Prefer. to Sec to plans For
Distribution Of Immense Wealth
- Charity Can Be Withdrawn if
Found to DO MisappIied.


zation of the ne wRockefeller founda-
ton, John D. Rockefeller had in mind
the purpose Of perpetuating a gigantic
structure to aid in the advancement of
the human race. 1t can give of the
countless Rockefeller millions to any
cause, educational, medical or what not,
as long as money is needed or there is
good use for it, The foundation, hun
dreds of years from now, will be able to
contribute to uplifting cases and in
stitutionS herhaps never conceived of at
presentfl It can NEE any condition or
emergency.
simultaneously with the first explicit
statement of the scope and purpose Of
the gigantic corporation came the an
nouncement of John D. Rockefeller, Jr.,
that he had retired from the directorate
of the Standard Oil Company to devote
all his time to the management Of his
fathers benefactions.
Frederick T. Gates, John D. Rookie
feller's chief adviser in matter of
benevolence. has revealed the oil man.
plans and purposes.
'"The plan by which Mr.. Rockefeller
hopes to benefit humanity thru all
coming time, has been under consider
alton during two years." said Mr..
aGtes.
He and his advisers have learned
something from experience and some
thing from observation about the guild
ance of large gifts to philanthropy by a
dead hand. When a man bequeaths a
large sum for this or that object, spec
flying just how it shall be used, it is
likely to happen, as it has happened so
many times in this country, Italy,
France, England. and elsewhere, that in
half century or less one of two things
may have taken place. The charity or
philanthropy to which the money has
been given will not need it, or not de-
serve it, but it has the money still. with
nothing to do with it for the benefit of
humanity. or is abusing it and the
original giver's purpose
t'Much Of the time Of the British
parliament is taken up with the undo
ing Of just such requests, but in this
country there is no remedy. Mr.. Rookie
Teller has endeavcred to avoid such a
situation by giving his money, what
ever sum 1t may be, to the keeping Of a
-perpetuating corporation, which
shall have power to use 1t for
whatever advances the human race 1t
can give to any cause and 1t can take
it away.
Foundation Scheme New.
Mr.. Gates explained that this was a
subject upon which Mr.. Rockefeller had
been thinking for many months, and
the outcome was that the foundation
would be something absolutely new in
philanthrophy. He stated that if the
newspapers made generally known the
scheme of the foundation and its man
agement, it would set wealthy men to
thinking on the subject and might do
god in revolutionizing the character of
large requests to public enterprises.
Mr.. Gates gave an illustration OF the
flexibility of the foundations powers.
Suppose" said he, there is a great
earthquake somewhere, with tens of
thousands Of persons suffering. The di-
rectors of the foundation could vote
any sum thought necessary for the re-
lief of the afflicted and continue this
help as long as required, withdrawing
it when not needed. This could not be
done with an ordinary gift or bequest."