New-York tribune., 1902-01-03
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
GRAFTON OF CONGRESS AND

Mr.. CARNEGIE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: 1t was with much pleasure that read in
The Tribune of December 26 Mr.. Pumpelly's letter
calling the attention of Mr.. Carnegie to memorial
relating to the National University proposition pre-
sented in the United States Senate by Senator Cul-
lom in 1888 The plan outlined in this admirable
paper is certainly well worthy of serious and care
ful consideration by Congress, Mr.. Carnegie and
the intelligent public.
The District of Columbia, originally formed
comprised one hundred square miles of territory
about one-third of which lay on the south side OF
the Potomac River. The statesmen of fftv-Nva
years ago, unable TO into the future but blind
ly assuming that the time would never come when
this territory would be needed by the United States
for any purpose. ceded back Virginia Jurisdiction
over the same Since then the population of the
capital city has been quadrupled. and it does nor
now require a prophet to tell that the time is
near at hand when there will be a crying demand
for more room at the seat of government.
The scheme presented in that memorial is wonder
fully comprehensive. though very simple 1t pro-
vides a. for the resumption of Federal Jurisdiction
a portion of the territory south of the Po-
tomac which originally belonged to the District;
~ for the acquisition by United States of the
title all the land embraced in the reacQuired
territory: (8) for laying and founding on this
territory a city TO he dedicated TO the cause of
learning and a. for the establishment within
that city Of the most magnificent institution of
Not half Of Mr.. Carnegies donation would
be needed TO compensate the owners of the land.
After setting apart 1000 TO be used seat
for the great university and after making the
liberal allowances for streets and parks, Mr.. Penn
witt the memoriast estimates that there would re-
main than 30O@oo00 square feet of ground
available for building purposes. At the present
erage price of ground in Washington. this would
make a value thirty times as great as Mr.. Carne-
gies offer II is not the intention. however, that
that be held forever by the United States in
for the Joint bene1t Of the university and city.
A system OF leasing is suggested. and II is held
that in this way better financial results would be
obtained than could he secured from sales. 1t is
also claimed that more effective control could
conditions within the direct environment Of the
versty than would be possible under the ordinary
system of land tenure
Nj. Carnegie is reported to have said that more
money is made from the increase of land values
than from all other causes combined. No doubt he
be practicable. prominent real estate dealer
of Washington recently stated that land values in
Washington had increased $4,000 600 in fifteen years
Mr.. Pennwitts proposition is simply to take over
for the benefit of the projected university and city
the immense Of values that will certainly
its the pockets of real estate spectators
I am that any one familiar with that
branch Of economics which treats of land values
and land rents cities has attempted to controvert
his arguments criticse adversely his estimates
of probable results. This scheme will, think. bear
Congress nor Mr.. Carnegie will dismiss the subject
without having first carefully inquired into its
merits W. w. LONtI.