Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-15
AIMED AT TRUSTEE PLAN
Says Self. Perpetuating Board Might
Lead to Grave Consequences.
CAN DO ANYTHING WITH FUND
All Right So Long as Mr. Rockefel-
Ter Lives, But Has Fear
for the Future.

Cornell University severely criticised the
rovisions of the Rockefeller foundation
bill. while commencing highly the spirit
on Mr.. Rockefeller's part which MADE
the bill possible. In an address before the
annual meeting of the National Associa-
ton of State Universities in the Snore-
ham Hotel this morning.
Dr. Schurmans attack WAS directed
altogether at the proposed self-perpetuat-
ing board of trustees for the fund, as
provided for in the bill presented 10 Con-
gress last session. In view of the pro-
posed self-perpetuating board. DR.. Schur-
man further attacked the indehniteness
of the announced purposes OF the foun-
dalton.
Because OF his great faith in Mr.. Rookie
feller's high ideals and administrative
ability. DR.. Schurman said he would be
perfectly willing to see the foundation
administered by self-appointed board
during Mr.. Rockefeller's lifetime, and
the lifetime Of those Mr.. Rockefeller. In
the bin. had proposed to associate with
himself on the board of trustees. The In
duence of the founder removed by an en-
tire generation, however. DR.. Schurman
thought, might lead to grave consequences
in the application and distribution OF the
hugh income the foundation would com
mand.
Provisions in Charter.
The proposed charter of the founda-
ton sets down its object as follows:
That the object of the said incor-
poration shall be to promote the we'll
being and to advance the civilization
Of the peoples of the United States and
it's territories and possess ons and of
foreign lands in the acquisition and
dissemination of knowledge; in the
prevention and relief OF suffering. and
in the promotion OF any and all OF the
elements OF human progress"
Under the terms OF this broad
charter" said DIR. Schurman, there is
scarcely anything which concerns the
tions in which the Rockefeller Founda-
ton would not be authorized to par
ticipate. AS the safety OF the state
is the supreme condition of national
civilization, the foundation might in
time of war use its income or its en-
tire principal for the defense of the
republic. In time of peace it might
use it's funds to effect economic and
political reforms which the trustees
deemed essential to the vitality and
ton might become the champion of
free trade or protection, of trusts or
of the competing concerns out Of which
they grow, of socialism or individual
party or the program of the demo-
cratic party.
at m gait endow the clergy Of all
religious denominations or 1t might
subsidize any existing or any new re.
might be the champion Of the Christian
religion and a hundred years hence fur
nish, an endowment for the introduce
ton Of Buddhism into the United
States. 1t might build tenement houses
for the poor in New York ty or carry
! the results of science to enrich the ex-
hausted soils of the east or the arid
tracts of the west. 1t might set up an
| art gallery in every city of the United
would rival the great universities OF
the west.
These may not be likely objects for the
application of the funds of the Rookie
Teller foundation. I am not, however. at
tempting to forecast its wo. k. but to
| understand its CT a ter. And as far as |
can see, the proposed charter would au-
thorize all of these and multitude OF
similar activities.
Danger Lies in Future.
Although these are large powers, / for
one SuOuiu udNC HO uCSllot.OH iu uSt-
ing Mr.. Rockefeller with them. The ex-
perence We have had Of his philanthropy
shows that he would use them wisely.
Vast and comprehensive. therefore. as
the scope Of this foundation is, I would
not in any way limit or restrict it so
long as it was In cha ge OF Mr.. Rookie
Teller or even OF his son and his expert
coadjutors.
"After they have passed away. how
| nryar 10 al fryo "a
changed. We know nothing about the
kind Of men who may succeed him. And
the objects of the foundation remain
they sre am Decidedly Of the opinion
that the public should have q right
to voice in the selection of the board
after Mr.. Rockefeller's direct in
q Dr s aas nassea said that sef.per
things Of the past in all large institu-
lions and that almost no college or
tirely by a board so selected.
1.-THE plan of a self-perpetuating board
for the Rockefeller foundation Is at once
contrary to the general practice of our
great universities and, as 1t seems to me.
our country. A self-perpetuating and ir-
responsible board, welding enorm us
powers, is. from the point of view of eff
fici ency. a blunder, and. from the point
not, indeed, a defiance"
Favors Governing Board.
DR.. Schurman favored a governing
board, selected somewhat as In the case
Of the Smithsonian Institution, which Is
conducted by a board of regents COM
posed Of the Vice President, the Chief
Justice Of the United States, three men,
bers of the Senate and three members of
the House. togther with six other per-
sons other than members of Congress.
two of whom shall be resident In WASH
ington and the other four Inhabitants of
some state, but no two # the same state
Dr. Schurman's address had been
looked forward to by the half hundred
university executives assembled fer t. Q
convention, and commanded close atten-
ton. The informal discussions after Dr.
Schurman finished his paper showed that
the sentiment Of the other educators was
practically the same.