Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-28
FOUNDATION FOR
|. CHARITY IS PLAN
NOW SUGGESTED
Honolulu Businessman Points
Out Advantages of Making
BeneVoIenCe BusineSStIke

Suggesting that the benevolent and
charitable work of Honolulu he syste-
matized through a "fOundatiOn' along
the lines of the noted Sage fOunda-
tions. a well-knOwn business man OF
Honolulu sets forth his idea in the
communication published below.
Those with whom he has talked over
, the plan are much impressed with its
practicality. His communication fol
lows:
Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin,
Sir: 1t is gratifying to see that the
matter of systematized philanthropy
is to be taken up thoughtfully and
definitely by Honolulu, as it is one OF
the few features of public welfare that
has been so far neglected here. Not
for a moment that the efforts OF the
, benevolent institutions and individuals
! of Honolulu have not been Of high
! order but so long as distribution from
so many sources takes place the high
est efficiency can not be looked, for
Moreover. effects mainly are reached
, by this method, rarely causes.
! Many plans of congratulations have
been and will be suggested which have
merit. The only plans that would be
of permanent benefit and efficiency
would be those looking to a large en-
dowment fund rather than those which
would only collect and disburse cur
rent donations. the income from the
former would be stable. from the lat
ter highly variable.
Most of the estates and many in
dividuals here expend stated amounts
ANNUALLY for benevolent purposes
There is no reason why foundation
could not be formed on somewhat sim
| lar lines as the large foundations OF
! the eastern states. If each giver here
would give to such foundation a sum
equivalent to the capital the income
from which represents their benevo-
lent expenditures annually and turn
| over to the institution the manage
ment of it, the donors could designate
If need be their preference as to the
! channels their donations should take
as far as possible and in that way
not interrupt any project already un-
| dertaken. The foundation to be adj
ministered by FIVE trustees. more IL
need be, this number would be ad-
visable as large boards are prone to
be unwieldly The active manage
ment to be placed entirely in the
! hands of a man trained and expert
enced in philanthropic work on a large
scale. Such man could be easily
/ secured from any of, the eastern foun-
dations. ..~
There is no apparent reason why a
| fundation with an endowment OF 81.
/ 100000 could not be organized here
4 on these general lines. Should such
an institution exist there is little doubt
but that it would be substantially add
l ed to by legacies left as memorials,
a record of which to be kept, These
and other donations would swell the
fund continually and by adding to the
/ principal would create a permanent
| increase in income.
| One of the many advantages of cen
! tralized control would be that large
amounts could be concentrated on GER
tain work for certain periods and in
| finiteiy more good than smaller
amounts covering longer periods. Tu'
berculosis is a case in point. A few
earnest and public spirited people are
making valient fight against it, but
are hampered in a great measure by
lack of funds. In addition to the
funds available if they could have the
assistance of large sums for even a
short period it would give them a
Roadway and advantage that years OF
patient effort in a small way could
mot accomplish.
The many advantages Of plan Of
this kind are patent as is evidenced by
the success of the large foundations Of
the east, conceived and founded by
. men of matchless business acumer
and foresight Honolulu could hardly
do better than follow the trail these
men have blaZed.
Thanking you for your valued space
Very truly yours, B.