Evening star., 1902-01-06
The Washington Memorial University.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:

The Washington Memorial University.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
1 have read with extreme interest the
letter of Mr. Edwin c. Clark on 1.-The Ma
tiona1 University in The Star of December
81 If any sincere attempt is to be made
to carry out the idea Of Washington rela-
tive to the establishment of national in
stitution of learning, the work should be
planned and executed upon scale worthy
Of its great originator and of the great ma
tion of which he was the founder.
Not only Mr.. Clark, but all other friends
of true university, ought to be interested
In the plan outlined by Capt. w. c. Penn
witt of Virginia in memorial to Con-
gress presented by Senator Cullom on the
18th day of February, 1899. This paper
was printed as Senate Document No 152,
Fifty-ffth Congress, third session. 1t con-
tains the following suggestions:
ID The restoration to national jurisdic-
tion of portion of that part Of the origi-
nal District of Columbia which occupies
the high ground south of the Potomac
river Jurisdiction over this territory was
in 1876. ceded back to Virginia because the
statesmen of that period were unable to
comprehend the possibility Of the national
capital ever growing to such proportions
as would make it desirable to retain this
territory as a part Of the permanent seat
of government.
20 The foundation upon such reacquired
territory of a city to be dedicated to the
sacred cause of learning 'the educational
metropolis of the great republic, the homo
of learning, a Mecca, Mount Olympus,
for the scholars, the thinkers, the artists.
the philosophers of the whole world;
. the model city of the planet we in
habit, in which utility and elegance shall
each wait upon and eXalt the other; the
great court city of the only genuine aris-
toeraey on -earth-that of intellect and cul-
ture."
(3) The location in the midst of this
hoo, sf,,1 - =
universities, the crown and elimination of
| our American system of education
| tablishment of higher rank, of wider
range, of broader base and Of deeper in
tegrity than any other institution of learn
| ing ever founded earth."
a. The acquisition by the United States
| Of the title to all the land within the limits
! Of the proposed city, the setting aside of
an ample area (say a thousand acres) as
a seat for the university, liberal allow
ances for streets, parks, ETC., and the hold
| ing of the remainder forever in trust for
| the joint benefit of the university and city.
| No part of this land should ever be sold,
| but system of leases is suggested as pro-
| ductive of the best possible financial re-
| suits and affording "a more effective
| troll over the sanitary and moral conditions
within the direct environment of the uni
versity than would be possible under the
| ordinary system of land tenure"
| 20 Anticipation of the revenues from
rents by the issue of bonds the proceeds to
| be expended in the preliminary work OF
both university and city. (Mr. Carnegic's
| assistance would, however, go far to rem
| der the bond issue Unnecessary
The peculiar merit of this plan is that it
| creates self-sustainng university; does
| not require congressional appropriations,
| and is not dependent for its success upon
donations from wealthy citizens. 1t would
| be the most independent educational es-
| tablishment in the world. absolutely free
| from domination by politicians or others.
! All this is to be accomplished through the
| operation of one of the best-known laws of
| economics. The immense increase of land
values which everywhere necessarily ac-
companies the increase of population. in
stead Of being surrendered to spectators
! as their legitimate spoils, is to be promptly
! appropriated to the benefit of the city and
| university. The ethical principle under
| lying the project Is conciseIy set forth in
| these words:
| 1.-THE immediate effect Of the establish
ment of the university and the founding of
| the city would be an enormous increase in
| the value of this ground Inasmuch as
| this enhancement Of values would be
caused wholly and directly by these insti-
| tutions, the entire benefit thereof should
| inure to the university and the city. No
| other interest could sustain any claim, or
| shadow Of claim, to a share therein. In
| all equity and good conscience, the total Of
| this Increment of values should go unin-
| paired and unquestioned to the benefit of
| the institutions that create IT..
| If this be sound ethics (and who will
question ftO then it must also be sound
economics, for there be no conflict
here Mr.. Carnegie will find his opportun-
| ity in purchasing the proposed bonds and
| donating them to the university. Ten mill
| lions invested thus at this time will some
| day, possibly not distant, yield an annual
| revenue equal to the original Investment
| w. D. BURBAGE.