Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-07
COMMITTEES REPORT
Views Respecting the Establishment
of National University.
PLANS FOR RESEARCH BY STUDENTS
Smithsonian Institution Utilized for
Educational Purposes.
PROPOSITIONS CONSIDERED

The subcommittee of the committee of the
National Educational Associa ton which
| met in this city in November last to con-
| slider the plan of establishing a national
university has completed its report. The
| committee was composed of President Har-
| per of Chicago University and Prof Nicho-
| las Butler of Columbia College. This re-
port will be considered at a meeting of the
general committee to be held in this city
| some time during the coming spring.
The report states that owing to the fact
| that the full committee appointed by the
National Educational Association decided at
| its meeting here in November that the gov
eminent was not obligated to maintain a
| university in the accepted meaning of that
term, the subcommittee merely submits a
report giving a detailed plan whereby stu
dents who have taken a baccalaureate de-
gree or who have equivalent training
may use the scientific and other collections
of the government for investigation and re-
search. The report states that Congress
has signifed its willingness to permit the
| use of the national laboratories and libra
ries by students.
The Lines Considered.
Two lines were considered by the subcom
| mittee. neither of which appeared to it suf-
ficiently broad One that was proposed at
the meeting in November met by
numerous objections. 1t proposed that the
course be carried on under the auspices of
the regents of the Smithsonian Institution.
In addition to the lack of scope it was urged
that it was doubtful whether Congress had
power to appropriate money raised by tax
alton for the purpose of education.
In spite of this, however, resolution was
prepared asking Congress to provide for an
assistant secretary of research" in con-
nection with the Smithsonian Institution,
who shall make known the facilities for re-
search in the government departments, and
arrange rules and regulations governing the
use of the collections.
In order to supplement this scheme, or
even to substitute it, the subcommittee
proposes an alternative plan. 1t suggests
that this new branch of scientific work be
made department of the bureau of educa-
ton under the charge of an assistant COM
missioner of education. Definite recommen-
dations were made in the case of each
plan.
Regarding the Smithsonian.
Following is the suggestion in regard to
the Smithsonian Institution:
Il. That the regents of the Smithsonian
Institution be requested to ask the Con-
gress of the United States for special APP
preparation for the work Of research and
investigation to be conducted under their
supervision by persons properly qualified
therefor. Such work to be so conducted as
to utilize the libraries, scientific collections,
apparatus and Laboratories owned by the
United States and in charge of officers of
the United States. for investigations and re-
searches under regulations to be prescribed
by the said regents, and as far as shall be
mutually agreed upon between the said
regents and the heads of the several eXecu-
tive departments of the government, the
librarian of Congress, commissioner of la
Dor, commissioner of fish and fisheries and
the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
with a view of carving the DOlicV of
Congress, declared in the joint resolution of
April IL. 1892.
80 That the regents be requested to ask
the general public for gifts of money, to be
used in providing buildings laboratories
equipment and endowments. for the pur-
poses of instruction, such instruction to be
limited to students who are graduates of
properly accredited institutions, or those
who are otherwise properly qualified, 1t be-
ing understood that it shall not be the pur-
pose of the Smithsonian Institution to con-
fer degrees of any kind in connection with
such instruction.
''3. That the regents be requested to for
mulate a plan for the appointment of an
advisory board. the members of said board
to represent the leading educational insti-
tutions Of the country, with a view TO Sc
curing the active cooperation of the col
leges and universities of the country in
carrying on this undertaking"
subcommittee Suggestion.
The subcommittee says that in case the
bureau of education Is decided to be the
best instrument for carrying on the work,
1t then recommends the following meas
ures:
Il. That the Congress of the United States
be requested to erect the bureau of educa-
ton into an Independent department. on a
plane with the department of labor and to
provide salary of not less than 5000 for
the commissioner of education.
'2. That Congress be requested to provide
assistant ffa 6n
at salary Of not less than 1000. whose
duty II shall be to ascertain and make
known what facilities for research exist in
the government departments and collections
at Washington: to formulate, In connection
with heads of the several departments and
officers in charge of government collections
rules and regulations under which suitably
qualified persons may undertake research
IN those departments and collections with
view to carrying out the policy Of Con-
gress as declared in the joint resolution, ap-
proved April II, 1892; and to exercise gem
eral supervision over the persons permitted
to undertake such research.
j. That the department Of education, so
organized. be requested to formulate plan
for the appointment Of an advisory board
representing the colleges and universities
Of the country which receive aid from the
government which have not fewer than
twenty-five resident graduate students in
any one year. with a view to securing the
active cooperation of such colleges and
universities in organizing and maintaining
the work Of research at Washington.
Il That in accordance with a plan to be
prepared and adopted by the department Of
education in consultation with such atlvis-
DRY board or its executive committed the
colleges and universities Of the country be
asked to give credit toward the require
ments for their higher degrees for research
carried on at Washington. under the super
vision of the department of education"
The subcommittee on the proposed diplo-
matte and consular school, consisting of
President Schurman and DIR. ]. H. Canfield
reported that as the consular service is at
present made up there is no field for grad
yates of school maintained on lines SINH
lar to West Point and Annapolis. The SUBJ
committee recommends therefore that the
project be dropped.
INFORMAL RECEPTION