Evening star., 1901-12-10
new institution Is known nothing can be
definitely determined.
Undetermined Features.

Undetermined Features.
The natural irquiry of those who have
long desired such an institution for Wash
irgton now Is whether this endowment will
result in a physical establishment, a sepa-
rate institution, or will be merely an as
semblage of specialists who shall guide
students in the of the various facilities
for education here to be found There Is as
yet nothing definite on which this question
car be answered. The logical assumption,
however, is that there will be some form of
establishment from which the work of the
university Will be administered, perhaps in
course of time series of buildings for the
accommodation of the students 1t Is as
sumed that the letter of Mr.. Carnegie will
clearly indicate the manner of institution
he desires, with full suggestions of the scope
of the work. 1t is understood that those
closely identified with the project are some
what disturbed over the premature an
nouncement of the gift, as they had hoped
that Mr.. Carnegies letter to the President
would be the first medium of the announce
ment, thus preventing much unnecessary
speculation and many misstatements.
The best understanding of the case is
that Mr.. Carnegie proposes that the fund
shall be administered by the United States
in much the same manner as is that which
founded the Smithsonian Institution, with
a board of regents in charge of the actual
supervision over the finances and the gen.
eral policies of the establishment.
Favored at the Capitol.
Mr.. Carnegie's proposition is favorably
received by senators and representatives,
and no doubt is expressed in relation to the
attitude of Congress toward this PROPOSE
ton in the form in which it has been an
nounced. If 1t involves no expense for the
government, and only calls for trustee
ship on the part of the government, it is
improbable that any question will arise of
any consequence in regard to the accept
ance of the donation. Not only is this the
prevailing opinion of prominent senators
and representatives, but the proposition is
very timely in view of the fact that the
park commission has in its very extensive
plan reserved space as especially appro-
pirate for such a semi-public institution.
This space is regarded as admirably adapted
to such a great university, as it is centrally
located and has ample room for admins
tration buildings, which are all that would
be needed, it is understood, in carrying out
the plan contemplated.
A Site Contemplated.
This area is located south of the square
which the Corcoran Art Gallery Is built
and is between 18th and 18th and and D
streets northwest. 1t is $50 feet by about
1,JC0 feet deep. 1t would give a magnificent
opportunity for any architectural display
that might be contemplated in the conStruc-
tion of the buildings, for the reason that at
present public parks exist both east and
south of this site, and 1t is understood that
the plans of the park commission contem-
plate additional parking space west of this
tract of ground.
A further advantage of such a site would
be enjoyed in the possession of surround
ings particularly appropriate for such
great institution, which, in the course of a
reasonable time, it is believed, would ac-
commodate at least LOCO students. These
would be young men, probably from
twenty-four to thirty years of age, and they
would find several hundred yards to the
south of the proposed site for the university
a gymnasium and a bathing beach, if they
desire to use them, and provided the plans
of the park commission are carried out.
Much Discussion Probable.
1t is thought likely that the acceptance
of this donation by Congress will prove
the source of a great deal of discussion in
relation to the management of such great
university. 1t is understood that the terms
on which this proposition has been ap-
proved by the presidents of the great uni
versities of the United States is that it
shall have it's courses so arranged that
their graduating students can take advan-
tage of them and then return to the uni
versity from which they entered the great
university at Washington, in order to re-
ceive their degrees. In other words, the
students in going to the University of the
United States from Harvard, Yale, Prince
ton or any of the other great schools would
not lose their connection with the univer-
One of the most important features Of
this proposed university of the United
States would be it's close alliance with all
the scientific departments of the United
States government, which would, in fact,
form one of the most helpful educational
features connected with the institution.
There dozen or more of these depart
ments or bureas in this city, and it is likely
that the establishment of an university of
the United States here would be of mate
rial assistance in the development of these
scientific bureaus of the government. The
StandardiZiGg bureau, the coast and geo.
detic survey. the army engineers school,
the geological survey, the Library of Con-
gress. the scientific bureaus of the Depart
ment of Agriculture, the bureau of educa-
tion and others would form valuable ad-
juncts to this university.
The Amount of the Endowment.
While s1O,O00OO0 is a very large sum of
money, yet those who are acquainted with
the great educational institutions of this
country do not regard 1T as at all sufficient
to- establish such an institution on a basis
that will give it worldwide standing 1t
has been stated that this sum of money is
equal to the endowment of Harvard Uni
versity, for instance. While that is true
yet Harvard. it is said, in it's buildings and
grounds used by the institution, has prop
erty in itself worth probably $4,000 600. In
addition to that Harvard University has
about 1000 students, and each of these stu
versity. This gives an enormous income
so that it is probable that the $10,0O0,OOO
donated by Mr.. Carnegie for this purpose
would have to be supplemented in order to
make the great university to be founded by
him adequate to the great educational re-
quirements that would be expected from it.
But this fact is not regarded as of any con-
siderable consequence by those who are
friendly to the suggestion, as there is a
very firm feeling that the remainder of the
assistance that the university will need will
be readily forthcoming in the course of
time.
Project Long Urged.
The establishment of university Of the
United States has SO long been discussed in
Congress that it Is well understood in all
its salient features. The project has been
reported upon favorably by committees in
several Congresses and it has been strongly
urged as a measure that ought to be adopt
ed because of the national pride of a great
nation which has to send its advanced stu
dents to foreign countries in order to secure
educational facilities that are not available
within the United States The committee
to establish the university of the United
States, of which Senator Kyle was chair