Letters, Sep. 27, 1937

Fosdicks

Sirs:

As an attendant of Riverside Church in New York City, of which my wife is a member and as an ardent admirer of its minister, Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick, I was startled and amused to have her point out his picture to me on p. 69 of the Sept. 6 issue of TIME over the subtitle "Rockefeller Foundation's Fosdick, Money for brains, money for balloons, money for broadcasting." . . . Inasmuch as you have already inadvertently brought Harry Emerson Fosdick along with Raymond Elaine Fosdick onto the pages of your excellent magazine, I cannot resist telling you something about the father of this illustrious family, Frank Sheldon Fosdick. He was for over 25 years the principal of Masten Park High School* which both my wife and I attended in Buffalo, and was one of the wisest as well as the most lovable educators and leaders of youth that that city has ever known. In his last years as principal his former students, usually well over a thousand of them, were accustomed to banquet annually on his birthday in the big ballroom of Buffalo's Hotel Statler, and either one or both of his sons, as well as his daughter Edith would come up from New York City on these occasions to assist in doing him honor.

"Pop" Fosdick. as he was affectionately called by his "boys and girls" was one of the grandest men I have ever known. He left the firm imprint of his character on all who were privileged to come under his influence, and no matter to what heights his sons may rise, they will have difficulty in surpassing their father!

OTTO M. BUERGER

New York City

TIME regrets shuffling the Brothers Fosdick, herewith sets them photographically straight (see cuts).—ED.

Sirs: I never was particularly pleased with my face and am quite willing anyone should claim it that wants to. I am fond of my brother, however, and am sorry to have it wished on him. The picture which appeared in TIME, purporting to represent Raymond Elaine Fosdick, unquestionably represents me instead. That is hard on my brother. He really is much better looking than that.

HARRY EMERSON FOSDICK

Boothbay Harbor, Me.

P.S. I am, too!

Money for Meharry

Sirs:

Congratulations on your excellent article! "Fosdick's First" is almost perfect. May I add one factor that, perhaps, would make your write-up more complete? I make this suggestion believing it is due the Rockefellers to mention this interest of theirs. I refer to their very generous appropriations over a period of years to Negro education, which work your splendid article did not mention.

I know that if it were not for their generous contributions, both to the building of Meharry's new $2,000,000 medical plant, and also, their very substantial appropriation; towards the maintenance of Meharry Medical College annually, over a period of many years, we simply could not have kept open, this, the only medical college for the training of Negro youth in the vast area west of the Allegheny Mountains and south of the Mason and Dixon Line. . . .

Besides this, they have given to me many thousands of dollars for postgraduate training of selected young Negro medical men, who have returned to Meharry Medical College to teach and help train other young Negroes.