The evening times., 1896-04-06
CONTEST IS N PROGRESS
Obstacles in the Way Of Uncle
Sans University.
REPORTS ARE DELAYED
Majority of the Senate Committee
Strongly Favor the Project-Bishop
Hurst Leads the Opposition for the
Methodists-Argum for and
Against Legislnt ion on the Subject.

An interesting contest is in progress over
the proposition to establish the University
OF the United States. On one side are Sena-
tor Kyle and all OF his committee. cxcept
two. together with ex-Gov. John ". Hoyt
OF No. Iowa Circle. and the good wishes
and words OF most or the leading educators
OF this country. On the other. most active is
Bishop John F. Hurst of No. 1901 Massa-
cbusetts avenue northwest, with Senators
Walthall and Nelson of the committee and
a considerable folio wing in the Methodist
church.
The report of ma jorit v of the committee,
strongly urging the need of the uui, ersity.
has been in the hands Of the Public Prinfer
about three weeks. but for some reason has
not yet been published.
1t was understood that it would be given
precedence because OF q desire 20 get The
subject before Congress, but some delay
has occurred not yet explained. 4 week
ago friends OF the measure were told that
the report was in type, the forms locked, and
the printing would be done at once.
The minority report which senator Wal
tball indicated he would make is about com
p!eted and ready for the printer. 1t will be
quite full and is expected to show some OF
the rea sons that have for a number Of years
stood III the way of the consuniniation OF the
plan of the great first President to give
the country an institution that would make
opportunities for higher learning. and rem
der more fruitful the great national cullec-
tiODs of books and material for study.
ASSISTED BY THE BISHOP.
Senator Walthall has direct charge OF
the preparation of the report. He Is be
ing assisted by Bishop Hurst. To a Times
reporter last night Senator Waithali said
he could not now give an outline uf the argu-
"a.
school. AS the reporter left he cncOun-
tered Bishop Hurst going in.
THE opposition Of Bishop Hurst and so
many OF his associates in the Methodist
Church as have actively taken up his cf
fort to establish a great Methodist school
here is based upon he fact that their pro
posed Institution has adopted the name
American University. At tue same time
complete control of it il retained by tie
Methodisis, and upon a guarantee of this
subscriptions are sought for IL at their
great church gatherings and III private.
At a general conference OF the church a
years ago the idea that this school could
be at once Methodist and national was car
ricd so far that 1t was mistakenly stated
that tn!s was the first effort ever made
to establish q national university.
Another element that enters into the
fight for and against the University OF the
United States is the effect upon real es-
tate values. owners OF lands 1T the site
OF the Methodist school are expecting 10
reap great profit from the rapid develop
mcnt OF ii.
Some have made purchases there based
upon tine expectation that the school would
soon be running and the settlement or in
Structors and students III he vicinity would
greatly advance prices of ground. That
new school should now come in and offer
advantages that might draw some support
FROM this American University j. objection
able.
THE OTHER SIDE.
The friends of the University of the I nited
States claim that this j. all mistake
They propose to deal only with graduates
persons whose religious views are already
settled and who wish to pursue independent
Investigations
Thesc students. they claim, would not in
any case 20 to Il dcnUminatiuual institl-
tion as long as Harvard. sle University OF
Michigan and other great schools opened
their doors.
They simply would not come TO Washing
ton at all unless the University Of the Uni
tel States were here to attract them
Again, there are persons with real cs-
tate TO sell who are satisfied that the great
national school will one day be built. and
think they have the site for it. They do not
beJieye. however. that If the bill should
now pass they could induce the men in con-
troll to see as they see.
No site has been agreed upon among the
advocates OF the bill, but it is understood a
ma aiority of them favor location out>idrof
the city and at some distance from other
schools existing or in prospect.
An argument which 1t is understood has
had weight in securing the minority report
is that some other ienominational schoo! il
needed here to offset the influence of the
Catholic University, and that the Methodist
school has the most hopSni outlook.