South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-27
J. D. IS DEFENDED
BY SON ON STAND
Has Spent Quarter of Billion in
PhiIanthrOpieS Says Witness
His Money Helps to Re-
duCe the Death Rate.

NEW YORK, Jan. 81 John D.
Rockefeller, jr.. Tuesday made a dra-
matte plea for his fathers right to
place in the sun.
There was a percentage of rs
deaths in a hundred from cerebro
spinal meningitis" he said, when the
institute for medical research took up
the study Of the disease. The discov-
cry Of a cure reduced this TO an aver
age Of % per cent in the 500 cases
that were treated. Isn't ii fair TO say
that there were 500 lives saved that
otherwise would have been lost
Later the cure was turned over for
the general use of the public.
MY father thought he was making
a worthy contribution to the welfare
of the world at large"
The young millionaire's voice trem-
bled as he made this statement in re-
ply TO a question put by Chairman
Walsh of the federal industrial COM
mission, before which Rockefeller was
again a witness throughout the day.
So quiet was il in the board of esti-
mate chamber in city hall that one
could hear the ticking Of a watch.
The big crowd bent forward as the
witness, in earnest tones, continued to
outline the motives which inspired his
father to establish the great founda-
tons Of wealth which were under at
tack.
What is the total amount to date
Of your fathers benefactions?" asked
Chairman Walsh.
He Kept No Record.
Fathers philanthropies have ex-
tended over a period since his early
boyhood," said young Rockefeller.
mo record has been kept of them.
But if | might hazard a guess they
would approximate a quarter OF a
billion Of dollars"
He enumerated several of the
larger items in this staggering total.
To the Rockefeller foundation $780,
100000 has been given. To the gen.
eral education board S34,0OO,000. To
the Institute for Medical Research
s1O,00O,O0O; TO the University of Chi
cago S34 100000.
do you think asked Walsh. that
there has been more public service
through these foundations than there
would have been if Mr.. Rockefeller
had given these sums in the develop
ment of the industries in which he
has interests"
my father" was the reply, "be-
lieves that one of the best forms of
investment is in the building up of
the productive industries; but that at
the same time there are other results
which can best be accomplished by
giving sums TO educational and SIM
liar Institutions"
but if the money had been given
in increased wages to workingmen
and in improving the conditions of la
Dor In the industries in which he has
made his profits urged Walsh.
Founded Education Board
my father carried on his philan-
thropies," said the son, long before
he established these foundations
But as his desire and his ability to en-
large his contributions to education
and humanity at large grew, he felt
1t would be desirable to crystalline in
these institutions the several activities
he had been carrying on himself
Thus the general education board
was founded. His desire and pur-
pose was to bring into council with
him for distributing the funds as
consider the questions as might be
brought together.
At the morning and afternoon ses-
sions which were marked by constant
" increasing crowds, Walsh carried
the witness through a minute eXami-
nation as to his views on the reSpon-
sibilities OF directors for conditions In
the industries which they represent
and he brought out a series of damag
ing disclosures as to specific cOndi-
tions in the plant of the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Co. in which the Rock
efellers have a controlling interest.
Upon all these points Mr.. Rookie
Teller proved as elusive a witness as
on the day before. Walsh repeated
questions five times over without be
ing able to pin the witness down TO
a definite reply. He took up Rookie
feller's request OF the day before that
the commission inform him as TO
matters il had discovered, which he
promised to have Investigated.
Just what do you want from the
?" demanded Walsh.
"I should hardly venture 10 sug-
gest to this important body the form
in which this information may come"
was the suave reply. 81 shall ap-
preciate ii in whatever form. L
thought you might inform me of GER
tain specific things which could be
taken up at an early date and thus
help to improve conditions"