Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-27
WON BY COLUMBIAN
INTERCOLLEGIATE DEBATE OVER
SHIP SUBSIDY.
Great Enthusiasm Displayed at the Ma
tiona1 Theater Last Night-F1rsc
Defeat for Georgetown

The question whether or not 1t Is expe-
dent for the United States government TO
substitute its merchant marine was debated
by teams representing Columbian and
Georgetown universities at the National
Theater last night and decided Affirmative
ly by the judges of the discussion. BY g.
vote of to / Columbian, holding the af-
firmative, was declared the victor. The sue
cessful debaters were Messrs Leslie G.
Fuller, Thomas Price Littlepage and Sam
uel Edelstein. The representatives OF
Georgetown, although defeated, were not
without glory and ample commendation.
They were Messrs. Harry 1. Quinn, Leon
ard Ericsson and that veteran of the grid
iron, Alexander /. Rorke. Mr.. julius T..
Baldwin of Columbian presided, and the
judges were Robert J. Tracewell, the con-
troller of the treasury; Arthur w. Cooley,
United States civil service commissioner,
and Col. James G.. Payne, auditor for the
Supreme Court OF the District of Columbia
Japan as Model
Perhaps the most novel feature of the de-
bate was the presentation by Columbian Of
the progress and development of Japan as
an example which the United States would
do well to follow. 1t apparently was
new sensation to the auditors to have this
tiny island empire of the east held up as a
model to sovereign America, but the
why's" and 'wherefores'' were SO ably and
so clearly expounded that in addition to
being converted to the eXpediency of sub
sidy, the auditors looked upon Japan with
far more admiring eyes. 1t was pointed
out by the orange and blue debaters that
the marked progress of Japan was due.
to a great extent, to the encouragement
given to her merchant marine.
Eloquence was interspersed with sta
tistics, and numerous figures were mar
shaded to support the arguments of the
debaters. Pay rolls and expense accounts
We're analysed and results proclaimed
which were convincing. Certain figures
were held by one side to mean one thing
and by the other side to mean another
thing, and the choice lay with the judges
Protective tariff, free trade, unrestricted
registry, free ships, unaided private en-
terprfse and every other phase and detail
of national policy and legislation were
discussed by these collegiate orators, and
which pleased those. present and ELECTED
almost continuous applause.
Much Enthusiasm Displayed.
The evening lacked not in completeness
for whenever an opportunity afforded the
walls of the playhouse were made to echo
and re-echo with the yells of the college
rooters. Fair ladies in the boxes waved
blue and gray or orange and blue, as the
SpiIlt mONcQ tHcIn, anu cries OF COM
mendation furnished a complete harmony
In so far as the noise was concerned.
The right side of the theater was drap-
ed with the colors of Columbian, and the
seats on the right side were filled by Co
lumbar students, their friends and SYM
pathizers. Over on the left was George
town. with it's blue and gray banners and
flags and bunting, and the enthusiasm
displayed was equally as great as that of
Columbian. Any one present who was
not in sympathy with one of the two
sides was certainly fish out of water"
for 1t is the manifest college spirit which
contributes so much to the enjoyment of
these debates.
The presentation Of the question from
both points of view was highly COM
mendable, according to the sentiment
generally expressed in the audience and
by the judges themselves In six contests
this is the first victory for Columbian
The success last night has given its
friends renewed courage, and today they
are not only congratulating themselves
over last nights result but are rejoicing
over the prospects for the future