The Washington times., 1914-11-02
THE ROCKEFELLER
FUNDS.

A few years ago Congress was
asked to incorporate, as a national
establishment, the Rockefeller Foun-
dation. Mr.. Rockefeller stood ready
to endow it for social and humanitar-
ian work, with the magnificent sum
of $100,000,O0O. The plan of organi-
zation seemed to insure a Federal
participation in the management of
the great work, that could not fail
to give it a truly national character
and direction.
But there was protest in Con-
gress, based on the theory that the
Foundation might grow so big, pow
erful, rich, and influential that it
would one day overshadow or at
least corrupt the Government! Odd
ly enough, it was pointed out that
this was the precise objection
raised, two generations ago, against
the Federal incorporation of the
Smithsonian Institution. It seems
laughable, in the light of present
knowledge and a long experience,
that that institution should have
been feared as a corrupter and poi
soner of national thought and ideals;
but it was, and there was bitter hos
tility to the idea Of giving it Fed
eral charter.
Curious as was this parallel be-
tween the Smithsonian and the
Rockefeller endowments, the event
proved that such arguments were
more potent in the present than they
were in the days Of James Smithson;
and it finally proved impossible to
pass the Rockefeller Foundation
measure. So the effort was aban-
doned, and the New York legislature
was given the opportunity to pro-
vide, in the Empire State, a corpor-
ate home for the great philanthropy.
Today's news dispatches tell of
the latest effort of this wicked octe-
pus of money and corporate power
to corrupt our institutions and break
down our Government. 1t is going
to spend millions of its funds in pro-
viding relief for the suffering peo-
pie of Belgium!
On Tuesday the first shipload of
supplies will sail for Europe, and it
will be followed by others as fast as
they can be equipped and as the ne
cessities Of the situation demand!
Prior to this depraved and vicious
enterprise, the most noted and
notable effort of the Foundation was
its worldwide campaign for the
eradication of hookworm; a cam
paign which was organized on the
big theory Of redeeming the tropics
from what is now widely regarded as
their chief pest, the greatest menace
Of industry and civilization in the
torrid and semi-torrid countries!
1t is at least an interesting COM
mentary Of the extremes to which
fear of aggregated wealth and high
ly organized enterprise may be pro-
jected. Today, it is a matter of
pride and satisfaction to every
American, and of rejoicing to all civ
ilization, that there is an instrument
tality in existence, rich and power
full enough thus to extend the strong
hand of support and succor to pros
trate and suffering nation. The need
of Belgium is such that, seemingly,
it could be met in no other way. The
nations of Europe, facing the huge
demands that the war imposes upon
them, cannot and will not permit any
of their foods and supplies to be sent
to Belgium. Money will not buy
them, generosity cannot give them.
The British government will not per-
NIT food to be sent from that coun-
try because there is always the
danger that Britain herself may need
it; also, because Of the fear that it
may fall into the hands of Britain's
enemies. These are perfectly legiti-
mate and proper reasons of war and
state; but they operate to leave the
seven millions of Belgium's people in
a condition Of utter hopelessness.
Ninety thousand tons of cereal
foods per month, for an indefinite