Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-22
AMERICAS GREAT END0WMENTS.
The Proposed Rockefeller Foundation.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

If Congress decides TO incorporate
the proposed Rockefeller Foundation II
will represent the greatest single en-
dowment in the history of the world.
That il will be incorporated seems prob
BILE. since practically every objection
that was urged against the original bill
has been met in the new one. and II
now stands on one of the House calen-
dars with a favorable report behind il.
and awaiting only the time when the
House can get around to il.
II is proposed by Mr.. Rockefeller that
the funds OF the foundation shall not
exceed hundred million dollars at any
one time. OF course, the total funds
which he may give may even exceed
that since the charter provision is that
IL shall not hold more than that amount
at any one time. The foundation may
ind places 10 use the principal in some
measure. and the terms would allow
this to be made up again, The hundred
million dollar limit was set because
some members of Congress thought 1t
would be dangerous not to do SO.
The objects OF the proposed founda-
tion are broad and calculated to pro-
mote the. wellbeing of the human race.
The objects of the Smithsonian inStltu-
tion were stated broadly TO be for the
among mem. those of the Rockefeller
Foundation are for the acquisition and
GisSem nation of knowledge. the pre-
vention and relief of suffering. the pro-
motion of eleemosyndry and phiiaa-
fhropic means of any and all the ele
nentS of human progress.
No charter ever drawn up has been
more careful to safeguard the rights of
the government than that of the pro-
posed foundation. The methods by
which the work of the foundation is to
he done are limited 10 eleemo NARY
and philanthropic means. and Congress
is 10 retain the right at any time TO
place whatever limitations ii may see
fit upon the foundation. Furthermore.
amendment. or repeal at the pleasure
Of Congress.
The powers of the trustees of the
foundation. subject to the wishes of
Congress are
Trustees Are Given very broad
Very Broad Powers. ,ion msr va 90
tablish maintain and endow insti-
buttons and other agencies for carry
ing out the objects of the foundation.
or aid others 10 do so. whether indi-
Tiduals. associations, or corporations
There are the usual provisions 70 the
~ buildings. TIE corporation may col
lect statistics and information, publish
and distr butte books etc.
The membership Of the corporation is
10 consist Of not less than nine nor more
tan twenty-five members. with three
year term OF service. third OF the MEM
ners being elected each year. The mem
bers in the future are TO be elected by
those in Office subject 10 the veto power
Of al electoral board made up Of the
President o fthe United States the Chief
Justice Of the Supreme Court Of the
rited States. the President Of the Sen
ate, the Speaker OF the House and the
presidents of Harvard, Vale. Columbia
and Chicago universities. a ma jority
vote preventing any person from exer-
ciSing the prerogs tives OF a member OF
the corporation. The principal Offices Of
'he foundation. like those of the Carnegie
Institution. the Smithsonian Institution
and the Carnegie Foundation. 10 be
located In Washington.
Mr., Rockefeller recognizes the question
Of how the foundation is 10 spend its
money as legitimate one. especially
m the light Of forebodings in some quar-
ters lest II might be seeking the protec-
lion OF a federal charter for private rath-
or than for public ends. The question
is answered by pointing 70 the unequix o.
cal language of the charter. " hich efYec-
tusFy dedicates il TO charitable and hui
nanltarian objects. and also to the con-
crete instances OF the Rockefeller sani-
tary commission. the Institute of Medical
Research and the general education
hoard u is stated that one of the first
things that will have the attention of
the foundation. once its charter is grant
ed. IS the encoura cement of far-reachiny
measures for the promotion of the pub
lie health. both along educational and
medical lines.
To some il seems that the education
Of the public at large on the possibilities
of prevent
Education of Public, : i've medicine
Considered Important. No S moss
important work that can be done by
philanthropy today. The late DR. Walter