The Washington times., 1894-07-19
In FAVOR OF APPLICATION
Unity of University interests Smiled
On by Rockefeller.
EDUCATIONAL LEADERS TALK
Proposition to Establish High Grade Insti.
tuition Of Learning in Washington 0ener.
ally Approved 0f-some Think ths Plan hot
Feasable-co Columbian Won't Lose Prestige.

A number Of gentlemen who are promi-
nently identified with educational institutions
in this city gave expression to their opinion
yesterday upon the proposed union Of
Columbian University Of Washington with the
University Of Chicago. Tho proposition to
establish high grade university In Wishing
ton meets with great favor, although some
do not belieye such an institution
should be in any sense controlled by reli-
gious denomination, but should bs of broader
gauge, to which students of every creed and
faith will be attracted It is believed by
others that the proposed affiliation OF the two
universities will fail OF complete success for
the reason that one executive head cannot do
justice to both. The opinions Of few are
given below:
GREATEST EDUCATIONAL MOVE OF THE TINE.
E. B. HAY, No. 1889 Corcoran street north
west: sit is the greatest educational move Of
the times. Several years ago the trustees Of
Columbian University conceived the idea of
extending its scope. and at the time Mr..
Rockefeller was canvassing for an institution
upon which to confer the benefit of bis mill
ions Columbian sought the endowment.
Mr.. Rockefeller was for quite time unde.
cided. He wanted to do rs Mr. Stanford did,
endow an institution that needed aid, and
yet have the money iudiciousiy invested. Co
lumbian had good record. There are many
Washingtonians who would be surprised to
know that in a single year the university had
over 1000 students upon its roll and
more than 100 professors. 1t was in a
position to make an extension with great adj
vantage. and of course with promise Of
greater future usefulness. Mr.. Rockefeller,
however, concluded to place his money in
Chicago, and Columbian considered other
plans. Later on the idea Of extension was
revived ard discussed and the agitation has
eliminated in the proposition to affiliate
the University of Chicago and Columbian
University. The intention Is to make the
Chicago institution the greatest in
the West and Columbian the greatest
in the East.
TO BE DIRECTED LIKE AN ARMY.
president Harper can spend six months OF
the year in Chicago and six months in Wash
ington, and oversee the interests Of both, ss
a general would direct the routine of an army.
Under the new system both the universities
affiliating will be made TO rank with
Oxford University in England and each will
compete with the most advanced institutions
in this country. The plan will succeed; it
will have the important requisite Of ample
funds behind it, and the ambition OF those
who will have it in charge will be TO place
the two universities in the front rank.
ROCKEFELLER SMILES on THE PROJECT.
''Mr. Rockefeller smiles upon the project,
and when he smiles 1t means something more.
II notice that some people seem to fear that
Columbian will become a sectarian insti-
tuition. 1t will do nothing Of the kind The
ology is not pressed upon the students now.
and will not be under the new ar
rangements. Those who attend the
university will meet with no sectarian bias,
nor will the Baptist idea of theology be made
apparent. Yes, 1 believe that in the very
early future the combined universities will be
operating under the same executive control,
and. repeat. it is the greatest educational
move of the times"
W. b. POWELL. superintendent OF public in
struction. Nc. 1410 street northwest: at is
a splendid plan for the establishment of
great university by the Baptist church. Wash
inton is the best city in the Union for such an
institution. The city itself is great uni
versity, and the college that can
avail itself OF the superior advantages
afforded here will discover that they are worth
more than millions OF endowment Think OF
the many institutions here that can be en-
Union possesses SO many advantages. hope
to see established here great educational
enterprise like thar proposed"
THINKS IT NOT FEASIBLE.
THOMAS WILSON, No. 1918 Connecticut ave.
nue. northwest: Il do not believe the afiliat-
ing relation which it is proposed to establish
between the two universities will prove to be
feasible. apply the rule laid down. n the
Scriptures, 'Ye cannot serve two masters
The man who might become president OF the
affiliated institutions would find it to be i'm
possible TO serve both with fidelity TO each.
Either Chicago or Washington would be neg
lected. 1t is understood that in matter of
that kind one of the colleges wants
something that the other possesses. Now,
suppose the president to be chosen will
be Prof. Harper. Naturally he would be dis
posed to favor Chicago, and then there would
be charge OF injustice. So it would be with
president whose preference would be exer-
cised in favor OF Washington. For
that and other reasons / do not
think the plan feasible There is
No doubt, however OF the demand for great
national university here. Such an acquisi-
tion would be very desirable. But the plan
proposed is not the one. in my Judgment,
that promises the best results"
H. o. CLAUGHroS. No. 1740 P street north
west: The time will come. and hope to
live to see it. when there will be. in the true
ton. do not believe that any religious sect
sort of an institution that the first President
of the republic had in his mind when he
spoke of the future national university"
Naval Orders.
n T T. I, L.o f-1x H.