The Washington times., 1901-12-12
CARNEGIE GIFT
NOT A MENACE.
Methodist Plan for UniVGr-
Sity UndiSturbGd,
BOARD OF TRUSTEES In SESSION.
Conclude That Millionaire's Tender
of Money for Educational Pur-
poses Does Not Balk Project
Will Prove Benefit Rather Than
Hindrance.

Hindrance.
The promoters OF the Methodist Uni
yersity project, at first fearful that the
Carnegie gift Of ten millions of dollars
would balk their plans and defeat their
aims, have. upon careful consideration Of
I the subject. come to the conclusion that
instead, Mr.. Carnegie's generosity will
work to the infinite advantage Of the un-
dertaking of the Methodists.
The matter was talked of yesterday at
the semi-annual meeting o. the board Of
trustees of the American University.
| which met at the Offices of the university.
A Large Attendance.
An unusually large number were pres
1 ent. including Bishops Charles II. Fow-
Ter, c. c. McCabe and John F. Hurst. Mr.
John Farson, Chicago; +. +. Robinson
Rock Island. III: Dr. d. II. Carroll, Balti-
more; Charles Scott. Philadelphia: DR.. J.
J W. Hill. Harrisburg, Pa; Dr.. c. W Bald
win. Baltimore: A. B. Browne. b. f.
Leighton 4 b Duvall, Judge W NJ.
Springer, Charles c. Glover. John q. Her
rell. and Thomas ". Smith. all OF Wash
ington. Others present were DR.. W. /.
Davidson. Secretary; DR.. John \. Guth-
eridge, Financial Secretary; Rev Albert
Osborn. Registrar. and Or. Royal Cope
land, of the medical department Of The
university at Ann Arbor, Mich.
in the absence Of President John Z.
Andrus. who was detained by important
business MIR. John Farson. Of Chicago, Of
the well known stock firm of Leech. Far
son d Co. New York and Chicago. was
elected president Of the meeting.
Methodist Projectors Reussured.
While the exact purport OF Mr.. Car
negie's proposition is not definitely
known. looking at it from tho interpreta-
tion and explanation made in The Times
by Ron. Carroll d. Wright. the projectors
Of the Methodist University believe that
il viii be Of immense aid to their insti-
tuition.
Some CT them were at first inclined TO
be somewhat discouraged. fc.ring that
after their long years Of labjr to bring
about so vast an undertaking. and the
efforts put forth TO secure sufficient funds.
and found an Institution which would
completely oyershadow their owa. would
compel the abandonment OF The Methodist
University plan After yesterdays meet
ing the board took exactly the opposite
view Of the matter. and is more encoUr-
aged than ever with the outlook.
Bishop Hurst's Understanding.
Bishop Hurst said last night that as he
now understood Mr. Carnegie's plan. it
was not proposed to erect at great cost a
group OF buildings, but rather 10 aid ad-
Yanced students in pronting by the OK
perimcnts and researches OF the Govern
ment. and to have easy and free access 20
the vast stock OF knowledge ami informa-
tion which the Government has been ac-
cumulating for a hundred years.
The Government could not take up any
sectarian matters. he said. For instance.
it could not take up the study OF com
parative religion. and the Carnegie
project would thus leave a wide field for
such institutions as the Methodist Uni
verify, and at the same time enable its
students TO have the advantage OF re-
search, investigations, experiments. and
tests which a private institution could not
provide He said that after carefully
considering the matter from what infor-
nation has already been made public that
he thought the Methodist University
would be aided and benefited instead OF
injured By the carrying ont OF Mr.. Car
negie's plan.
i Seat of Learning.
He added further that Il would mean
that Washington would not only become
the greatest scat Of learning in the
United States, but one or the greatest If
not actually the greatest in the world
At the meeting OF the board the re-
ports made by the officers Of the univer-
sity for the year just closing we're full
Of very great encouragement. The hnan-
cial side Of the years work was most
gratifying. showing a decided gain over
any recent year. The large holdings
which the university has in stocks and
bonds wss-s. .aye been given for build
ings and endowments, are yielding fine
rcturns
The laying Of u c foundation Of the Nc
kinney Memorial Ohio College OF Govern
ment which is now in progress. is uun-
ing afresh the thought Of the people 20
this enterprise. Il had been expected to
lay the cornerstone OF this memorial
building during the meeting OF she irus-
fees. but the necessary delay in the ,s'rk.
and the uncertainty u the weather at this
time Of year. prompted the delaying Of
tbs, iIrDTcssive service untn the days Cf
carly spring. at which time the fcunda
lion will be fully completed. and much
Of the grading which is contemplated On
the university site shall have been I'm
isECd
subscriptions Coming In.
Subscriptions are being received for the
Mckinley Memorial Ohio College of Gov
crnmeut In tie lifetime Of the mar
tyred President this memorial was con-
teniplated. and his tragic death has
! given new interest to the perpetuation CT
his name and fame at the nations Cap
| ital.
Large and wise plans were laid for the
accumulation Of s.. .0O0. coo. more than half
Of which Is already in hand, 80 that the
doors OF the university may be opened for
| pogt graduate work and original inyesti-
cation. utilizing as has been contemplated
since the organization OF this university,
| the rare and unparalleled scientific col
lections provided by the Government in
| the city OF Washington.
Mr.. Carnegie Praised.
Many kindly references were made by
the trustees to the princely gift which
Mr.. Carnegie has just proposed for edu
cational work In Washington. AS the eK
act conditions surrounding the gift have
not yet been made public, no definite
action. Of course. could be taken, but IL