Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-03-17
POINTS TO DANCER
IN CHARITY TRUST
Hisgen Opposed to Granting
Rockefeller Foundation I'm
limited Power.

Springfield Mass. March l3.--"The
granting of a perpetual federal charter
to the Rockefeller foundation by our ma
uona government, along the lines pre-
scented to the public. would be the great
est economic blunder made by the legis
lative body of any great nation within
the memory Of those now living" said
Thomas l., Hisgen of West Sprir g.ield
yesterday when he announced that II no
one else appears at Washington hostile
to the grant OF a federal charter to the
Rockefeller foundation. his protest will
be placed before the federal government.
Mr. Hisgen gave the following statement
10 the press
The very nature OF its broad lines
with unlimited power Is ono IT its dan.
gers. 1t is proposed | understand it,
to make this corporation absolutely the
Judge of the purpose for which its own
funds shall be expended, whether to re-
lieve IN soma great national calamity,
whether for the purpose OF bolsterins up
a wavering stock market or indeed. for
any purpose good or Ill. for which the
men In control desire to use H. 4 char
ter upon such broad lines creates a COR
poration superior to the national govern
ment itself
"A charter granted by the national
government Is perpetual Under the laws
II cannot be revoked or changed. The
corporation SO long as it conducts its az
fairs on the lines OF its charter under
our constitution. can BE interfered with
no m re than II II was an Independent
sovereignty. In other words within the
limits rS-a a has
Il federal charter this Rockefeller toun-
dalton is supreme. Its officers, II their
power il unlimited as to holding or dis
posing of funds. may snap their fingers
a. the United States government, itself.
AS TO AMENDING THIS CHA RTER.
In the famous case OF Dartmouth Cob
lege Vs. Woodward. the argument OF
which Is regarded az the masterpiece OF
Daniel Webster and which Is acknowl-
edged still to be law of this country, the
Supreme Court decided that a corporation
holding an unlimited charter can not
have its charter changed without Its own
consent
The Rockefeller foundation asks for
unlimited power on the plea that great
emergencies may arise which 1t will not
| be possible 10 lorSee, lu1t as In the earl
| lest pages of history we read that mon
archial governments are necessary be-
cause OF the necessity of having at the
head OF affairs someone who could act IN
emergencies.
| III the Rockefeller foundation Is Ia
have unlimited power to hold and act
and a perpetual franchise from our gov
eminent. 1t will be the first time in history
that modern civilized government has
surrendered ia private individuals such
kingly prerogatives.
In the newspapers OF this morning is
a statement that the LEGISLATORS at Wash
| ington are disposed to regard II even as
unnecessary to insist that some OF the
board OF trustees Of the founda ton
should be public officials. In other words
! II is apparently the intention of at least
some of the lawmakers to grant to the
| Rockefeller foundation the right to elect
it's own board Of trsutccs and 20 confer
upon them an amount OF power not pos
sessed by any corporate body In the world
controlled by private interests.
CONTROL VITALITY IMPORTANT.
1T will be noted that the proposed
plans Of the Rockefeller foundation are