Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/359

 CHAPTER XII FURTHER EXPANSION The history of the University may almost be written in the history of its expansion. In describing the successive steps in enlargement the historian tells very largely the University's story. In the earlier half of the first quarter-century, this was particularly true. During the first twelve years these enlargements were con- tinuous and costly. They were for the most part made in advance of adequate provision for their financial support. This policy was pursued, partly because of the difficulty of making in advance accurate estimates of the cost of plans that were continually enlarging, or accurate estimates of receipts; partly because of the increasing public interest, expectation, and financial response; partly because the need and demand for enlarged facilities were ever increasing; partly because new opportunities for great educa- tional service were ever opening; partly, perhaps in main part, because President Harper had an abiding and a well-founded con- viction that Mr. Rockefeller, when necessary, would not fail to provide for current expenses, and eventually, by permanent endow- ment, for every necessary or desirable enlargement. The current expenses increased annually by leaps and bounds. But President Harper's faith was regularly justified by new gifts from Chicago friends, and by new and greater gifts from the Founder, both for the enlarged current expenses and for the endowment necessary to furnish permanent support for them. Although Mr. Rocke- feller had been cheerfully meeting the ever-enlarging demands upon him, by 1903 the time had arrived when all concerned, the Trustees no less than Mr. Rockefeller, had come to feel that the permanent interests of the University required a more conserva- tive financial policy. It was therefore, as already related, deter- mined unanimously in December, 1903, that thereafter the annual budget could and should be strictly adhered to and no additional financial commitments should be made, for which funds were 315