The Washington times., 1904-03-17
COLLEGE MERGER
VERY UNCERTAIN
No Enthusiasm Over Union
of Universities.
PROJECT OF THE COLUMBIAN
American and National Corporations
Regard the Proposition as One
of Doubtful Utility.
PROJECT OF THE COLUMBIAN

Washington members Of the corpora
tions OF the American and National
Universities express surprise over the
publication. few days ago Of the re-
port that these two institutions are
soon to be merged with Columbian Uni
versity the scheme being TO form a sin
gle great university OF national scope.
Charles F. Carusi. of the firm OF Ca
rusi & Sons. 416 Fifth Street northwest,
who is secretary of the board OF truss
tees Of the National University, said:
mo communication about this matter
has ever been addressed to us / have
heard some talk among the students of
the possibilities Of a union with Column
bian but that is the only way in which
il has ever been brought to my atten-
ton. and the plan was certainly never
suggested to US in an official way.
Whether a consolidation OF the universe
ties would be feasible, am not pre-
pared to say. OF course. it stands to
reason that if a very advantageous Of
fer were made it would have some
chance Of acceptance. At present the
university has a fun complement Of
buildings and is in excellent condition"
With Less Favor.
WITH the American University officials
the scheme is spoken of with even less
favor Bishop NcCabe, the chancellor Of
the Institution. does not reside in the
city. and the Rev. WilbIr Davidson. the
secretary, IS away. but the Rev. Albert
Osborn. the registrar, expresses the
opinion that the scheme for a consolida-
ton is ''chimerical." He also says that
the plan has never been considered in
an official way by the trustees. though
father" Of the combination scheme. is
said 10 have had a brief conference with
Bishop McCabe at the close of the trus-
tees meeting here this fall
Methodist Institution.
It is pointed out by one familiar with
the affairs Of the American University,
that this institution is in reality gov
erned by the Methodist Episcopal
Church. from which most OF its contrI-
buttons have been received. It is believ-'
ed that the complications involved in
these gifts in the past would be an al
most insuperabIe obstacle to wiping out
the old charter OF the university and
changing its entire complexion The
endowment. mostly from secIariah
sources. already amounts TO SZ.OOO 900
Bishop Hurst. the former head Of the
American University. stanchly believed
that the college should be a Methodist
institution first of all. Bishop McCabe
is also inclined 10 this view.
Columbian Favorable.
The Columbian University alone can
be said to be outspoken favorable TO
the plan OF a merger. but even this in
stitutiOn by no means has in mind the
REIMBURSEMENT of any Of Its privileges
The proposition is looked upon favor
ably by them only so long as the Column
bian charter can be retained. One Of
the strongest obstacles to the realiza-
ton of the plan would undoubtedly be
the strong rival spirit between the three
universities and only the smOothest
manipulation could straighten out the
tangle Of rival interests which would be
represented in a joint meeting Of the
trustees.
Changing It's Charter.
One feature which has given new hope
10 the advocates of the great national
university scheme and which has served
to- revive old stories as to its near at
tainment, is the fact that Columbian
University is obtaining from Congress
an amendment Of its charter permit
ting it to change its name. Further.
the university has given up formally
its sectdrian character. II was former
~ strongly under Baptist influence.
President Needham. the new head of
the institution, Is an advocate OF the
rational plan, and has already taken
INTO Columbian the medical and dental
schools Of the National University. This
val of talk among the students that q
freraer was about be made.