New-York tribune., 1907-10-05
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY.
DESIRE OF WASHINGTON.
Scope of Work for the Advancement
of Higher Education.

r,- Richard D Harlan. the special representative
NJ what is known the George Washington Uni
,,orsity movement outlined to Tribune reporter
iest night the scope Of the work being done for
,ie realization OF the desire of George Washington
,hat q national university be established in the
canital of the country. It is desired to have
srhoo! that shall have advantages for graduate
work in the sciences such as cannot be found else
where in the country. and for college OF political
sciences. which shall not only result IN raising the
standard Of our consular and diplomatic service but
sban also increase the standards of individual
craftsmanship and patriotism.
Dr. Harlan. who is of Justice Harlan OF
the United States Supreme Court. has been in the
,,ty for a few days his way back 10 Washington
rom q visit 10 the Paris Ecole des Sciences Po-
uuuues and the London School of Economies and
finance, where he went to get ideas for the de-
velopment Of the College OF Political Sciences of
tbe George Washington University.
Speaking of the university, DR.. Harlan said
1T is the cid Columbian University. of Washing
ton reborn, with new and comprehensive char
tsr new aim and a new name. Those who
,-srted the work committed themselves to an effort
n carry out the essential features of plan for
,anonal university at Washington which George
washington outlined IN his will and for which he
left So 900 in stock in commercial enterprise The
isea Of the national government controlling such
,,n,versitv did not meet with favor, and the plan
vas never carried out The stock became worth
less when the commercial enterprise went TO the
vail Washington wrote in his will 1T has been
my ardent desire 10 plan devised on lib
.ral scale, which would have a tendency to spread
systeuatio ideas through all parts OF this rising
cunIre thereby TO do away with local attachments
and state prejudces from our national councils
sshington's private letters in the last decade OF
his life show how this plan was TO his heart
II Is standing reproach to American patriotism
that a plan that much in Washingtons
hand and heart should thus have remained in prac-
tirsI oblivion for more than a century.
"oR account OF the change in educational con-
dtons since Washington's time the present move
uent differs from his plan in two important par
ticuIars. First the George Washington Univer-
Eity is 10 be almost entirely for graduate work.
It's chief function will be TO supplement and com.
Element the work Of older institutions. and chiefly
along two important lines, for whicn there are
unparalleled advantages 10 be found at the ma
tiOnal capital namely. the applied sciences esPe-
eialy in their bearing upon American agriculture
and commerce. and the political sciences"
Regarding the department Of applied sciences.
DR.. Harlan referred 10 the fact that the govern
Tnent spending 100000 in Washington alone
in connection with its great scientific and technical
bureaus and laboratories. The work is being car
ried on by large body Of able scientific men, but
the result Of their work is largely hidden away
IN government reports and bulletins.
While the university should have large labora-
toriAs of its own said Dr. Harlan, 'it could and
would be managed 5 10 cooperate with the
government laboratories and bureaus, sending out
each year into agriculture and commerce men who.
after getting their preliminary training in various
institutions throughout the country, could perfect
themselves in Washington better than anywhere
else. An annual output Of hundred such men
would be worth more than million bulletins. in
valuable as they are II some patriotic American
would give. say 500 900 for a chemical laboratory
for graduate work would seek the advice and
cooperation OF the .eading agricultural colleges
in planning our building and offer the very oppor-
rNTfn l.nzr haar Va arfr
asking Congress 10 provide at public expense
What Dr. Harlan considers the leading depart
nent Of the university. the one that will make the
most instant appeal TO the entire American people,
VIII be its College Of Political Sciences OF IL DR..
Harlan said:
For obvious reasons we shall be compelled in
this case 10 depart from the principle Of making
the university one for t-graduate work. Other
institutions have admirable in the various
political sciences, but the needs of the public ser
vice require the development the capital of the
nation of & special college for this purpose alone
Many students, having in view the public service
as career now in institutions less well equipped
for these purposes. and particularly mature young
men who have not been to college at all but de-
sire 10 fit themselves for the public service thether
civil. diplomatic consUlar) or may wish to
qualify themselves for administrative positions in
large corporations will doubtless come to such
school as We propose 10 develop. We should
have at least eight full professorships in such
q college: Jurisprudence diplomacy economics
finance public and corporate administration the
living Oriental languages and a chair Of leglsa-
ton For the endowment of such a College Of
Political Sciences we ought TO have between $780,
600 and 100000"
Dr.. Harlan spoke Of the great success of similar
schools OF political science in Paris and London
ana told what they had done for the advancement
OF efficiency in public service well as in private
Enterprises. One thing the George Washington Uni
Sersity will accomplish, Dr. Harlan believes is
tne increase of a wholesome national spirIt
ehd Deepen the American sense Of unity. brought
eoout By the mingiing Of graduate students from
all parts OF the country. He also sees advance
Inent toward the time of universal peace in the
coming Of young men from other nations 10 study
"a" and liberty and civic righteousness in the at
shosphere Of the American Republic.
me chief fundamental difference between George
"asningtons original plan and the present move
Inent Is tha: the George Washington University is
70 be endowed by private benefactions from al
p~Fs OF the country representing instead of being
supported and controlled by. the government. The
present plan has great advantage" said Dr.
fa7flah IN the fact that the nucleus around which
We confidently expect in time TO realize George
"ashngton's splendid vision is furnished by an in
sUlduon with eighty-hve years OF honorable his
.OiE. IL has thirteen hundred students, nearly two
-.NiiuIso teachers and clear equity OF 100000 in
's present ground and buildings. 1t has 100000 in
oash ana good subscriptions toward the purchase
ol new ana splendid site. For the large sum that
VIZ De needed for buildings and especially for the
endowment Of an institution worthy the name Of
george Washington, shall have to appeal to
the country at large"