The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-29
RooKEFELLER's Discomfort.

1t is said that Mr. Rockefeller, an.
gered at the delay in granting his ap-
plication for a charter for his pro-
posed humanitarian Foundation. and in
dignant Mt the lack of enthusiasm over
bis offer TO endow such an institution,
is about TO withdraw his application
for the national incorporation of The
Rockefeller Foundation.
There has been, it is true, a note.
worthy lack OF enthusiasm and, we
might say. even of appreciation, of
Mr.. Rookefeller's apparently splendid
offer. This is partly by reason of the
experience of history with respect TO
vast accumulations such as he pro
poses to perpetuate in his offer to de-
vote his wealth to human welfare, the
same 10 be held in perpetuity It has
been found that by reason of the acces.
slons that come TO such holdings, and
by reason of their gradual growth until
which they are founded, sapping the
life Of the people and the vitality of
the Government, they become exceed.
lngly dangerous. Confscation or pro.
ceedings to end the trust is the usual
outcome of such accumuations and
holdings. No matter how pure and
altruistic they may be for time, there
rreeps in corruption, ambition, and n
desire to exercise the power which the
vast interest held confcrs. If such ac.
could be held stationary,
the income constantly used for the
benefit of humanity, and management
after generation wholly wise
and disinterested. and the original sum
never extended but the income used
as had, then there would be less criti-
ism of The Rockefeller Foundation and
III other charitable or beneficial accu
which arc meant for perma-
leut holdings, But unfortunately it is
impossible to reckon upon succession
# pure and altrustic administrators
The ex"ericnce of mankind is that
there is. oppression and in
ustice.
Mr.. Rockefeller ought to understand
his as well as anyone. He is An intell |
'ent man, and doubtless knows what
MS Foundation would almost surely re.
ult in. He has no reason, therefore,
o display resentment because the pub
ic does not receive his offer with the
which he would like. It'll
annot be forgotten, either, that Mr. |
rockefeller s vast fortune has been ac. |
uircd through rapacity, crimlually ac
uired monopolies. and ruthless prac
ices put into effect against competitors
ntil a corrupting predominance was
btalned, which has yielded more
honey TO few men than any other |
ever established on earth
70 that both by reason Of the taint
u the Rockefeller fortune, and by rea.
on of the inevitable expressions
which it would impose upon future
enerations, he should not be surprised
I the GOODNESS of the public toward his
roffer
Neither will it help the matter if
e seeks, as he is reported to be seek
no, to incorporate in the State of New
'ork, or in any other State The re-
ults will be the same, the GOODNESS
f the public will still be manifest and
he threatening imposItious which it is
ure to make upon future generations
'ill still be a dark cloud. 1t is proba-
lie, 10 be sure, that Mr.. Rockefeller
ill find somo way of incorporating and
citing in motion his great thought of
Foundation for the benefit of hu,
lanity; but it still remains true thnt
houghtful humanity will see in these
pparent benefits the proba bility of
rcat exactions and load that future
Will find 1t impossible TO
oar