Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-27
COLUMBIAN ALUMNI
Annual Dinner at Rauscher's
Saturday Night.
ELOQUENT ADDRESSES
ALL HAD ONE UNDERLYING
THOUGHT IN THEM.
A Greater Columbian University as
Practical Institution for Edu-
eating Young Men.

Columbian as represented by the members
of the Alumni Association during the an
nual dinner of that organization given
Saturday night at Rauscher's. The uni
versity as a practical institution for the
education Of the youth of the country. the
university in its relation to American citi-
zenship and the university in its relations
to the great business machinery of the
government were the three great topics
touched upon by the principal speakers, and
the members of the Alumni Association
were urged to help make their alma mater
greater in it's scope, greater In Its reputa-
ton and greater in the results 1t obtains
That the District of Columbia is the ideal
location for the great university of the
future each Of the five speakers who ad
dressed the association agreed. No matter
from what point the subject was approach
ed, every thought and every argument led
to that one thought. The advantages OF
location and Of environment for study ano
a broader intellectually were brought out
and the need for greater effort to make the
university here the great university of the
country, one, as President Needham eX-
pressed it, which would be worthy to be
called the George Washington University,
was presented in argument In which were
massed every fact that history interpreted
by eloquence could bring to bear.
The Dinner.
The new banquet hall at Rauscher's. with
its soft tints and glowing incandescent
lights, needed little in the way Of decora-
ton to set off the great horseshoe-shapcd
table that occupied the center Of the room
and about which gathered hundred or
more of the most prominent among the
graduates of Columbian, men VINO nave al.
tanned high mark in almost every walk OF
professional life At the toe OF the shoe,
lr,nly ic oil To
the toastmaster and president of the asso-
citation, Mr.. A. 8. Worthington, while about
him were grouped the more distinguished
guests. Pink-shaded candles shed sou
light over the white napery and reflected
hundred brilliant flashes of fire in the cut
glass and silver, relieved only by the dainty
pink and red and green of the wild Money
suckle blossoms which were strewn at IN
tervals about the board. AT one END OF
the room q mandolin orchestra played
sweetly a program of popular airs as the
dinner was served, while In the balcony
above a score or more of handsomely gown
ed women. the wives and daughters of the
members of the association ana thelI
guests, looked down upon the scene ano
added zest to the occasion. The menu
was all that could be desired and the serV-
ice prompt and attentive After the dinner
had been disposed of and blue rings OF
smoke were ascending from the fragrant
cigars the satisfied and contented members
of the association were smoking, college
songs were sung to bring back memories OF
college days, and a. college giee club sang
the old melodies college glee clubs haze
been singing since there was glee club.
Toastmaster Worthington.
When Mr.. Worthington called the assem-
hIaee to order after 1t had Joined in a
rousing invitation to the landlord to come
fill the flowing bowl for 1T would merry,
merry be-" he told them of his first visit
to Washington in 1865 and of his introduce
Tniv cit a
commencement exercises of the class of
that year held in old Metzerott Hall 1t was
then that he realized that a young man
working in Washington could obtain an
education while working and could en-
ter any of the learned professions he might
choose. Since that time the speaker had
gone through the university and had been
graduated and the university had grown
and expanded. The speaker then told of
dream he had the night before in which
he had seen vision of great national
university here in Washington. This Is the
place for it. he said. and the opportunity Is
ripe What the university needs Is a man
to push it. In introducing President Charles
W. Needham, Mr.. Worthington said he be-
lieved the university had found in him the
right man to increase the scope and i'm
portance of the university and build for
Columbian the greatest educational instt-
tuition in the country.
President Needham.
HTSSlueIt NSSoilSIA lOSS " SpSesh diIliO
the cheers of the alumni. He thanked
them for their greeting and said, in part:
columbian University is among the old
est institutions in the country. It's charter
granted by Congress, bears date February
8, 1921. 1t has had long and honorable
career The age of an institution has much
to do in determining It's standing and in
fuence. An institution is not enfeebled by
age; like wine, 1t is better for the flavor
and aroma of years Whenever larger sue
cess comes its age gives color and emphasis
to it ALL The new condition and It's age are
mingled and we think of it as always ex
listing in It's improved state. Eighty-three
years are q priceless heritage to Columbian.
It's life has not only been long, but 1t has
been good and splendid men have gone out
from her tuition to make for themselves
and for the institution splendid character
and reputation. Many of these men are
here tonight and l greet you as honored
and honor-givng alumni Of Columbian.
THE things that are around the uni
versity will determine In large degree the
subjects it can best treat What have we
then at the national capital to supplement
the university? Here a nation is being
builded. maintained and administered. Here
all questions of government, political,
social, industrial, economic commercial,
national and international are not only dis
cussed but are settled. Here, then, is the
place Of all others to build a great institu-
ton of learning to teach the great subjects
of law, Jurisprudence political science,
economies, commerce, trade, diplomacy, ad-
ministration and cfvics in all its phases
With strong men at the head Of these sub
jects. professors and assistant professors to
do the regular classroom work, and sup
plementing or enlargtng 1t all by calling
into the class room at proper times the
men in public life. scientific men from the
governmental DEPARTMENTS laboratories
and libraries, we can give wider more
profound and more accurate knowledge Of
these sciences than can be taught in any
other city in the United States.
Columbian has erected in the last year a
fine medical school building and beside 1t
splendid hospital. Our medical department
has men of professional distinction in its
faculty. The government medical museums
and the stores of knowledge constantly
flowing in through channels reaching to
every part of the globe. upon all questions
Of health, sanitation. the cure of diseas Sc
and the saving of life are here for the
students in this department.
I'm Washington, also, the law student can
receive each week the latest oral, as well as
written, utterance upon the law. The men
who make the law and the men who inter-
pref it are here. The student is inspired
and instructed by these men who are MAX