A word to grand stand specialists
Subject(s): Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919, Charity, Charity organization, Libraries, Philanthropists, Rockefeller, John D. (John Davison), 1839-1937
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Puck tugs at the coat-tails of Andrew Carnegie, as he and John D. Rockefeller, Junior, pile money bags around the base of a statue labeled “Fame,” which they seek by endowing libraries and universities. Puck is suggesting that they could do more good for society by endowing places like a “Home for Consumptives.” Caption: Puck — You have qualified thoroughly as modern philanthropists, now why not do some good?
Comments and Context
When Puck Magazine had opinions, they usually were expressed in written editorials or, in cartoons, through the character of its mascot-figure Puck. Here he suggests to the nation’s two greatest benefactors of the day, that their largesse might better be directed to the sick and poor than to libraries and universities.
It is rather harsh criticism of the moguls, especially since the implication is that their donations are partly motivated by self-promotion. Carnegie Free Libraries still exist, as do universities and foundations funded by various Rockefellers. But as America was growing more prosperous, so was its underclass increasing.
Consumption — tuberculosis — was a persistent problem, easily spread and with no cures. Routinely, patients were sent to high elevations like the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina; or to dry climates like the Arizona or Southern California deserts… to die.
Collection
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Creation Date
1903-06-03
Creator(s)
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937
Period
U.S. President – 1st Term (September 1901-February 1905)
Repository
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Page Count
1
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
A word to grand stand specialists. [June 3, 1903]. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277284. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937. A word to grand stand specialists. [3 Jun. 1903]. Image.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277284.
APA:
Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937., [1903, June 3]. A word to grand stand specialists.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o277284.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. March 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
APA:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-prints-and-photographs.
