Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-24

Continued From Page One.)
the living, to those who from time to
time are in touch with current needs, TO
determine how the fund may be best
expended TO promote the we'll being or
the community.
The gift. by its very magnitude, is
inspiring. but even more of inspiration is
to be found in the object for which
1t is given. can not but feel that this
will be the quickening Of many other
gifts. both large and small.
WILL BE TOKEN
OF COMMENTATOR.
1T will come also as a fine word of
commendation to many of our citizens
who already have made provisions in
their wills for the Foundation. and they
will rejoice to know that their gifts are
TO take Their places alongside Of this
splendid gift from Mr.. Pettis, and that
other funds win Join hands with his in
promoting the future well-being of the
citizens Of Indianapolis"
Way back in the ages Of faith, good
Saint Nicholas threw purses of gold
into the windows Of dowerless maidens
and We have since believed In Santa
Claus" said Mgr. Francis Gavisk, a menu
ter of the Foundation board
PREDICTS CITY
WILL GASP
"IndianapolI will give a gasp. as I
did, when it learns that Santa Claus has
come to the city in the person Of Pettis,
bringing an astonishing gift to the In
dianapolis Foundation of $500 600
1.-THE Indianapolis Foundation, an or
ganization to provide a perpetual fund
for welfare work in the city, .has been,
up to this time, only an idea, a dream
If you will, of some wise we'll wishers
Of Indianapolis. But ideas take form
and sometimes dreams come true, as
they now have, through the muniflcence
of Mr.. Pettis. The foundation had rea-
sonable expectations of future legacies
under wills, for many persons have rec
ognized the wisdom of leaving funds
for welfare purposes under the plans of
the foundation and have so provided in
their wills.
DECLARES WILLS
ARE UNCERTAIN.
But wills are as uncertain as the
moods of their makers; legacies may be
revoked or plans of benevolence may be
altered by the testator. Never before
has Indianapolis been treated to such
surprise as the gift of Mr.. Pettis.
Most men do not like to give up a sub
bldut1dl part VI tutlI lOILuuS " u CduBe
during their lifetime, but prefer to
control the same entirely while they live.
One must commend the wisdom Of Mr..
Pettis In starting his gift on its use
full may while he is still with us. He
is privileged to see 1t perform its work
of benevolence and helpfulness.
''It is understood that a large part
Of the wealth accumulated by Mr.. Pettis
was made in business in indianapolis.
He acknowledged this and had long
thought of doing something for the city.
How refreshing to find man who pos
sesses this sense Of obligation to the
city which ministered to his financial
success! The city of Florence became
great because SO many of its citizens had
patriotic pride in Florence. They loved
1t and praised it; they lavished gifts
upon it in life and provided for its
future In their Wills.
SAYS GIFT SHOWS
RECOGNITION.
aside from the astonishing value of
his gift, the donation of Mr.. Pettis to
the indianapolis Foundation is great as
an example of the recognition of the
value of the city to it's citizens. Christ
mas of 1921 win be memorable in the
annals of Indianapolis as that good day
when a citizen made a great gift to be
devoted In perpetuity to the welfare OF
its people. May Mr.. Pettis have many
imitators"
G. A. Efroymson Of Wasson's, and
member of the board Of trustees of The
indianapolis Foundation, who long has
been identified with and interested in
charitable matters in Indianapolis, when
asked for an expression relative to the
Pettis gift. said:
DECLARES GIFT
Is STARTLING.
THE news Of Mr.. Pettis' gift is SO
startling and unexrected as to make dif