Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/190

1 62 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO informed of the result of the visit. From the station, just as he was leaving Cleveland, Dr. Harper sent both these gentlemen the following thrilling message, "One million, seven years, no condi- tions." He had reached Mr. Rockefeller's house at 2:00 P.M. on September 4. The first afternoon and evening were spent socially, there being other guests. In writing to Mr. Goodspeed on Sep- tember 6, Dr. Harper says: Friday morning we drove out and remained away all forenoon. The whole ground was canvassed thoroughly. Gates's representation had made a strong effect upon him, but there were a good many things which he could not see through that had to be straightened out. He was still determined not to make a gift which would interfere with his general plan of giving, viz., by instalments. He was still determined to make it conditional. He did not appreciate the importance of having the money on hand at the beginning. The second point [i.e., making the gift conditional] I overcame; the first I modified; in reference to the third I could not accomplish anything. We got back to the house about one o'clock without his making any decision. Immediately after dinner he took me out again, and we went off into the woods, and after an hour's talk and a little figuring, he said to me, "I will give a million dollars payable in seven years." I argued then for money with which to begin. He figured the thing out and decided that the sixty or seventy thousand dollars which would be needed would be a mere bagatelle, and that this could be had by borrowing if in no other way. As I telegraphed, there are no conditions. This letter makes it evident that Dr. Harper did not have to ask for the million dollars. The representations from Mr. Gates had prepared Mr. Rockefeller to give that great sum and only details remained to be arranged. Mr. Rockefeller wished to spread the payments over ten years. Dr. Harper urged that it be paid within three or five years. After a little consideration and "fig- uring" Mr. Rockefeller proposed seven years and could not be moved from this position. He wished to condition his subscription on the raising of additional funds for the initial expenses for build- ings, equipment, and other necessities of the enlarged institution. Against this Dr. Harper urged that all the friends of the enterprise were just entering on the payment of their subscriptions made to meet his first conditional pledge and could not yet be approached for new and additional ones. He, at the same time, promised that at the earliest practicable moment a movement would be made