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

fcult any adequate expression Of appre-
citation.
The great problem Of those having the
interest OF The Foundation at heart has
been to maintain interest on the part
of the community during the period Of
waiting for substantial funds subject to
administration by the trustees Of The
Foundation. 1t is always difficult to cen
ter and maintain attention upon an idea
however worthy 1t may be. All Of US
naturally require constant stimulation by
concrete facts.
1T is not to be wondered that at times
there has been almost a sense OF discour-
agement on the part OF some Of us who
were waiting for some outstanding gift
for The Foundation, which would enable
the trustees to begin their work and
would bring the whole project into the
realm Of the present.
SEEMS TOO GOOD
TO BE TRUE
Now Mr. Pettis has given us this won
derfuI beginning, far beyond our wild
est hopes or fondest dreams. 1t seems
to be too good to be true.
"I can only say at this time that, a.
one Of the trustees of the INDIANAPOLIS
Foundation, / am profoundly grateful for
this splendid gift"
]. X. Lilly. president Of the Eli Lilly
Company, and chairman of the board Of
trustees Of the Indianapolis Foundation,
when told Of the Pettis' gift, said it
seemed too good to be true
Splendid Wonderful! Is 1t really
true?" he asked. Then he said, soberly.
but does not this gift bring with 1t
something Of Gliding to the rest of us,
ought 1t not make US a little ashamed to
know that it is one who has long been
living abroad and who, of necessity, has
been out of. touch with the day-by day
life Of our community, who has done this
great thing for us folk at home? II Is,
indeed, like good news from a far coun-
try Like a legacy from far removed
and distant relative from whom we had
not really been expecting anything, and
from whom we had no right to expect re-
membrance. But even though there be
this sense Of Gliding, yet none the less
our hearts are filled with gratitude and
appreciation.
THINKS HE
SEES MOTIVE.
81 cannot help but wonder why Mr..
Pettis did this big thing for indianapolis
and In thinking 1t over l believe 1 have
caught his motive.
n Adl &c part VI AhLs CLtlo AOILuhV
came in the growth in values which the
development of the community brought
to his property. l believe he felt this
fact keenly and with 1t a sense of OBJ
legation to return to the community a
substantial part of what that community
had brought to him. And this is a very
noble and right feeling. More and more
people must accept the truth which this
act of Mr.. Pettis teaches, that no man
has a right to draw his wealth out Of
the community life and keep 1t selflshly
to himself. The community has conferred
his wealth upon him and there is an
obligation of return.
"a pretty good lesson for all of us
at this season of the year, is 1t notf"
BENNETT ADVISES
EXTREME CAUTION.
Henry W. Bennett, president of the
State Life Insurance Company, and since
the beginning of the foundation, one of
the trustees under appointment of Judge
Anderson said:
"Of course, | share with all the trustee
the great delight and surprise of Mr..
Pettis gift. 1t is most gratifying
thing and I am sure it is a good omen
for the future of the foundation. How
ever, / cannot but be anxious as to the
wise disposition of the fund which will
now come under the direction of the
trustees. There will be such a multitude
of demands and so many opportunities
for acting hastily and ill-advisedly that
I cannot help but feel grave solicitude
until we see our way little further and
have found wise ways of disposition
do not want this thought, in the least,
to detract from our deep appreciation of
Mr.. Pettis' wonderful gift and I only
suggest 1t in order that the public may
not expect hasty action before time for
mature consideration has been given
LEVEY ADDS WORD
OF APPRECIATION.
Louis H. Levey, a trustee of the
Foundation, appointed by Judge Ander-
eca snia That wh1le he hid no cxtcndnd