The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-16
Foundations and Social Progress

Perhaps the greatest novelty in our social scheme
today is the great foundations with capital of more
than billion dollars They give away TO supposedly
excellent causes some $5s,55900o yearly. What kind
Of movements and programs do they support9 Are
they an asset to American society? Do they con-
tribute to progress social inertia?
The basis for an intelligent answer to these ques
tons Is supplied by Clark in his careful and
fair analysis Of the nature and activities Of these
foundations In the New York Times.
The greatest donation made by the foundation is,
beyond all reasonable comparison, the gifts to ed-
catonal enterprise. Here it must be said that the
some s305O0O0G given to education is spent in ways
designed to foster conservatism and safety. The
overwhelming majority Of the benefactons go TO con-
ventional educational activities.
There is nothing for the Rand School of Social
Science the Brookwood Labor college, or even the
New School for Social Research-he latter certainly
not an especially radical institution, though it is one
OF the most interesting experiments in the history OIL
higher education
No sensible person would ask the foundations to
finance radical proletarian education exclusively
Yet the workers make up more than SO per cent OF
the population. Any agency which pretends TO serve
the body polite should have something to give to the
majority.
Next in order of expenditure comes research But
how much Of this Is In any way likely TO prove SUD
vsrsve Of the present order? In the field of social
sciences where we most need courageous research
the dice certainly are loaded against originality and
independence.
There no doubt is honesty In gathering the 1actS'
h,t the research projects either emnently safe
or else interpretations and opinions are suppressed
carefully.
The research in the field of medicine is the one
tyue of subsidized investigation in which all stand
10 gain by the discoveries Yet here the benefits
will not be distributed evenly.
The wealthy are much more capable OF oenenVng
by the advances in medicine and surgery buV mere
again the foundations also have done their "o0V
equitable work. They are financing research into the
costs of medical care which may help TO democrauEe
medicine
Take the question of civil liberties Here is place
whers we would expect patriots to pour their money
From Jefferson to Lincoln great statesmen nave
commended that this country was conceived 1n' ana
dedicated to liberty. What could be nooier IMAM 70
support its continued existence?
Yet not a. single great foundation has given cent
In s,uport civil liberties in the United States 4he
American Civil Liberties Union is supported primarily
b private subscriptions Only the American Fund 1or
Public Seryce-a sort of foundation by default from
the heritage of an eccentric young mionaire-giVeS
the union any money.
The foundations give millions for research INTO So
cal and economic conditions and for promotion OF So
cal work and charity How many support the Dirtn
control movement probably the most important single
social program in the United States today? Not a
one. save the tiny American Fund for Public Service
If this is not millions for charity, but not one cent
for prevention then the writer does not know the
meaning of words.
The foundations and their work necessarily reflect
their donors and the society out of which they are oe
rived The givers entitled to order the expenol-
lures they approve. The writer is willing to concede
that the net result of the foundations is as yet
benefit to the United States.
But this is something quite different from agree
ing that they reflect democratic ideals or do their
utmost to promote social progress They are damned
far more by their sins of omission than by those of
commission.