In 1889 the late great Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of the famed New York World, established a scholarship fund for poor boys. Mr. Pulitzer's plan horrified practical citizens. Chauncey Depew predicted that Mr. Pulitzer's pampered scholars would end as paupers.
Since then, ten or twelve penniless New York City boys have been chosen (by examinations) each year for the scholarships—$250 a year for four years (plus free tuition if they go to Columbia University). All told, 551 boys (mostly sons of immigrants) were chosen. In these boys a round $1,000,000 was invested. A Columbia Pulitzer Scholar, Harry Schwartz,, having investigated to see what 50 years of the Pulitzer scholarships had produced, now shows that Chauncey Depew talked through his top hat. Having tracked down 268 of the 366 living Pulitzer graduates, he reported:
> Among them are 52 engineers, 36 lawyers, 31 doctors, 31 college professors, 27 schoolteachers, 16 businessmen, twelve scientists, nine journalists.
> Pulitzer scholars have written 91 books.
> One scholar, a prosecutor, sent Gangster "Legs" Diamond to jail.
> One scholar built several of the biggest U. S. hydroelectric plants.
> Only two have been indicted for crime (crimes: mismanaging a bank, evading sales taxes).
> Only seven have been divorced, but one of these remarried the same wife.
> Some famed scholars: Timesman Simeon Strunsky, New York City School Superintendent William E. Grady, former U. S. Attorney George Z. Medalie, the late Yale Professor Edward Sapir, the late New York City Civil Service Reformer Felix Fuld, the late Realtor Fred F. French.
> Of 249 living Pulitzer men whose salaries are known, 54 get $10,000 or more a year; average salary is over $5,000.