The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-09-09
ROCKEFELLER'S GREAT GIFT.
Opinions Of Public Men on Oil Kings
Foundation Schems.

Foundation Schems.
In response to impressions of the
gigantic philanthrophy outlined in the
plans of the John ID. Rockefeller foun-
dation the following public men, among
a number, gave their views:
Nathan Straus. the noted phi!an-
thropist Of New York
feel that the establishment OF the
Rockefeller foundation is the most i'm
portant single step ever taken in human
progress from primitive simplicity to
highly developed civilization.
Hitherto the means and measures that
have resulted in human progress have
been sporadic, incomplete and unsystem-
attic. 1t has remained for Mr.. Rookie
Teller to conceive the stupendous plan and
provide the resources to marshal, co-or-
dinate and organize the forces of prog
ress. The vast work that he has been
doing for humanity and that has been
too little appreciated is completely out
done and overshadowed by this new crea-
ton of his philanthropic heart and BRAIN
which, / believe, will be found to be the
greatest manifestation of his genius for
constructive organization and will rank
in history as the most remarkable exam
pie of farseeing craftsmanship.
The measure of the Rockefeller founda-
ton will not be only the millions that he
will devote to the work but the breadth
of its scope and its perfect adaptation to
the yet unknown needs of future genera
lions. To give requires merely money: to
plan for humanity as Mr.. Rockefeller
has done betokens inspiration born of
profound and sympathetic study of hu-
man needs.
DR.. Emil G.. Hirsch. the noted Jew
ish leader of Chicago:
Here are some suggestions to Mr.. Rookie
Teller: Teach the poor how to live, teach
wives how to cook, establish an endow-
ment fund for young couples who want
to get married. We are overeducated.
Let this education be along material rath-
er than spiritual lines. No one can cal
culate the harm done to the race by I'M
taught, poor young mothers. l would es-
tablish funds to educate them. both before
and after the birth of children, so that
the next generation will grow up strong
and well.
President Emeritus Charles W.
Eliot of Harvard:
Whether this new plan of Incorporating
all charities and educational gifts now
supported by the Rockefeller millions will
prove a beneficial advance over the pres
ent methods l cannot say. A great deal
depends on the person or persons who
administer this vast fund.
1t Is just as possible to throw money
away in this manner as In any other,
and many undeserving charities may i'm
pose on Mr.. Rockefelers agents. i am
not in favor of applying the principles of
incorporation to such an undertaking. for
in my mind that Is to commercialize the
matter too much. There is also another
matter to be considered. 1t Is possible for
such corporation to discriminate uncon-
sciously against many deserving charities.
Such a vast scheme OF charities as pro-
posed by Mr.. Rockefeller may also have
the effect OF paralyzing gifts from other
persons who may consider all charitable
and educational wants to be filed by the
foundation. With these re-
strictions and comments 1 believe that
the Rockefeller foundation will be a great
benefit to all humanity.