Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-04
FOR A GREATER SCOPE
Plans for George Washington
University.
BILL BEFORE CONGRESS
PRESIDENT NEEDHAM MAKES Elk
TENDED EXPLANATION.
What It is Expected to Accomplish and
the General Benefits to
Be Derived.
BILL BEFORE CONGRESS

| Congress was asked yesterday to make
amendments to the existing charter of
| George Washington University, which
| would have the effect of making that insti-
| tuition one of the greatest educational or
CARNATIONS in the world. The scheme out
lined in the proposed amendment provides
| for the organization of a central university
| body in this city on broad, comprehensive
lines, which Will have authority to enter
| into affiliating agreements with institutions
| of learning, both in the District and in the
country at large, to enable it to give to
| such students may have passed through
the various undergraduate departments
| the benefits of the graduate study that is
to be obtained through the medium of the
various university departments, primarily,
and in the extensive laboratories, libraries
and scientific departments maintained by
the government in this city. indirectly
| The charter of the George Washington
| University is an amendment to the act of
| Congress of February 8, 1921. incorporating
| the Columbian College, and the amendments
asked by the trustees of the institution yes
| terday will be amendments to the old law.
1t is regarded as particularly fitting that
| such action should be taken at this time
| of the year. so near the eighty-fourth an
niversary of the founding of the institution
So broad are the lines that are laid down
| in the proposed action of Congress that
| the facilities and extent of the new institu-
| ton will be almost limitlesS. Only at OK
| ford and Cambridge in England is there
| to be found anything like a prototype of
| the seat of learning it is proposed to estab-
iIsh here, and even in those old universities
the system does not include the utilization
! OF colleges in other sections of the country.
According to the plans that have been pre-
pared, and it might be said that these plans
combine the best of theory with the essence
nf onfi T.; It..
the center of number of educational insti-
tutfons located in different parts of the
country and in the District. Here the stu
dents will come for their degrees and to
pursue their graduate studies and here they
Will carry on Investigations and formulate
theories which will have the effect of carry
ing on, under the best auspices the pro-
gress of arts and sciences.
Provisions Of Amendments.
The amendments introduced in Congress
yesterday provide first that the number of
trustees of the George Washington Uni
Verslty can be increased from time to time
by two-thirds vote of the existing board
provided certificate of such action is filed
with the recorder of deeds of the District
at the time of such action. This change
is for the purpose of including in the board
representatives of such institutions as
might be brought into close relations with
~ uiii'SiSilS proper. II is further nrO
Vlded that, with the consent of the univer-
slty, colleges may be organized for the
purpose of carrying on, in connection with
the university, special lines of educational
work In arts, sciences and liberal and
technical knowledge, such colleges to be
educationally part of the system of the
university, but independent financially
Five or more persons DESTROYS of asso-
c1atlng themselves for the purpose of es-
tablishing a college may do SO under the
terms OF the proposed amendments, by fl
ing the proper certificate with the re-
corder of deeds of the District showing tba
consent of the university to the proposed
organization, in writing. The certificate
snail also contain the name and title of
tne college; the names of the trustees con-
shutting the first board; the manner of
nominating and electing such trustees;
the branch of arts, sciences, ETC., proposed
to be taught: that all degrees shall be
college, and that all financial responsibility
shall rest with the college and not the
university. The filing of such certificate
gives the trustees of such college all the
privileges of corporation under the pres
ent Interpretation of the law except so far
as its domination by the university in
educational matters is concerned.
Financial Matters.
All financial matters relating to the col
lege, endowments, ETC., shall gemain the
absolute property of the college, Under
the third and last section of the proposed
amendment the university is authorized to
enter into affiliating agreements with any
institutions of learning outside the Dis
trict for the purpose of giving to the stu
dents of such institutions the educational
facilities of the university, and of the de-
partmentS of the government in this city
which are by law open to students upon
such terms as may be mutually agreed
upon by the university and tn, institutions
in question.
1t may be said that negotiations are al
ready under way looking to the affiliation
of at least one college out of the District
with the university and others are expected
TO follow.
The growth of the university during the
past few years is regarded as remarkable
by educators throughout the country. The
institution is now larger than Princeton I'm
iversity and carried on it's rolls about 1000
students. 1t has inits administrati tive de-
partment and the corps of professors and
instructors more than 200 persons, and this
corps is being increased rapidly, as the
needs therefor develop.
President Needham Explains.
In explanation of the bill just introduced
in Congress President Needham of the
university made the following statement to-
day to a Star reporter:
1.-The George Washington University has
adopted a policy for it's development that
ought to be understood and carefully
studied by all who are interested in the
establishment of great university at the
national capital. First, the university has
been made a non-sectarian, graduate insti-
tuition. All the educational work carried on
by the university board will be graduate
studies. including the professional depart