The evening times., 1899-03-17
money POURING In
FROM ALL SECTIONS
Progress of the American Uni
yersity Project.
Collection System to Be lnaugurated
at Once.
Prospect That Two New Buildings
VIII Soon He in Course
of Erection.

The work of securing subscriptions 1or
the erection of the American University
buildings is progressing most favoraply.
For several months past deep interest In
the plans and progress of the University
movement has made itself apparent In all
sections OF the country. Letters of in
quiry from all sections of the United States
have been received at the office of the Sec
retary OF the institution, 1925 New York
Avenue.
Secretary Martin stated to Times re-
porter today that the deep and general in
terest developed recently has been mat
ter of surprise to the promoters OF the
movement. He said that many large con-
tributions have been made voluntarily and
have come from parts of the country
where it was thought there was no
knowledge of the project
The donations are coming from men OF
all creeds and denominations. One of the
largest contributors to the funds from the
State of West Virginia is a Jew OF the
fund of S250,000 being raised in Pennsylva-
mia for the erection of the Hall CT Admin
istration $50, 600 has already been secured.
This amount has all been raised wi b n
two months
Raising Funds.
The movement to secure $500, 600 for the
erection of the College of Government from
the people of Ohio was started two months
ago. There is already on hand for the
purpose S35, ,060. Less than a month ago
an endowment fund was started in West
Virginia 1t was desired to raise $100. 600
and $4,000 Of that sum is now in the hands
OF the secretary.
Steps will be taken Immediately to start
the collection funds in various parts of the
country and the system will be extended
as rapidly as practicable.
The American University when completed
will be the largest and best equipped in the
country. The projectors are OF the opinion
that it will require at least $5,000,000 to
carry out the plans determined upon. 1t
| is not their intention to begin courses OF
! instruction until several more buildings
have been erected. Three years it is
! thought will suffice for the construction of
/ the desired number of buildings. 1t has
! been definitely decided TO get buildings and
| money first, after which students and
| teachers can be readily secured.
The university as planned will be, when
completed, not only an addition TO pict-
uresque Washington, but be a mighty fac
| tor in educational, and intellectual circles
| of the District. Local educators have re-
peatedly expressed the belief that the com
| pletion of this university will mark the
| substantial beginning of the Capitalization
| in Washington of the nation S educational
| interests.
Magnificent Plans.
The institution has been planned on the
grandest lines. A tract of forty-fye acres
of land located on the Heights OF George
town, facing Nebraska Avenue, which has
been in the hands of the trustees for some
time. 1t is admirably situated on one of
the highest points in Washington and from
it is to be had the finest view obtainable in
the District. The location is considered
the best for such an institution TO be
found anywhere within radius of many
miles.
One building has already been erected.
The plans call for total of twenty-five.
The structure already on the ground is
called the Hall of History. 1t was COM
pleted last fall at cost of $1,000 The
architecture is classical. The roof of the
portico which extends across the greater
part of the front of the building is sup
ported by massive Ionic columns. The
best Rutland marble the finest produced
in the world, is the material of which this
imposing structure is built.
Work on New Buildings.
1t is expected, although it has not yet
been definitely decided, that work on the
College of Government. provided for by
the people of Ohio which is to be situated
not far from the southern side Of the
grounds and work on the Hall of Admin
istration, by the people of Pennsylvania, 10
be placed near the centre of the grounds.
will be commenced in the near future.
sufficient amount of money is now in hand
| 10 -iya
steps will probably be taken when Bishop
Hurst, who is chancellor of the Univer-
sity, returns to the city.
During the past winter $4,000 was spent
in improving a small portion of the land
owned by the University Tree shrubs
were planted. lawns and walks and drive:
laid out. The portion of the campus thu:
improved presents beautiful appearance
| 1t is intended to build the various halls
and colleges facing on two large quadran-
gular spaces. one extending north anC
south and the other east and west which
intersect one another near the southeast
ern corner of the grounds
Athletic Facilities.
Within the arms of the right angle form.
ed by the meeting of the two quadrangles
will be the gymnasium and the football
: baseball, tennis. and other Fairgrounds
AS soon as possible the work OF further i'm
proving the grounds will be undertaken
The authorities of the university are
very desirous that this shall be the mos
heavily endowed institution of learning il
America. They have placed their mark al
500, 900, 900, and, judging from the way il
which contributions are now coming in
their desire will probably be realized
The officers of the university express
themselves as being more than satisfied
with the progress during the past five
months. They say that they recognize the
: gigantic proportions of their work and are
not becoming impatient to open the grea
| institution.
A Faulty British Cruiser.
Portsmouth, England. March 17.-At tn,
| inquiry into the death of the stoker of th
cruiser Terrible killed by boiler explo
| sion 1t developed that five steam pipe
burst, and that the fires had to be drawn