Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-21
DIR. NEEDHAM SPEAKS
DISCOURSE BEFORE SONS OF
AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Says Country Should Have More Fed
eral Laws to Hold Corporate
Greed in Check.

Dr. Charles w. Needham, president OF
George Washington University, in an ad-
dress before a large number OF members
of the District of~Columbia Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution last even
ing at Rauschers spoke at length regard
ing the proposed greater George Washing
ton University, to be located upon the
heights of this city and fulfill the plans OF
the father of his country" The speaker
also declared that the country should have
more federal laws to hold in check cor
porate greed, which, the speaker, asserted,
works much injury to society.
Dr. Needham was introduced by President
Marsh, who said "You have heard much
of the movement for a greater George
Washington University, and 1 know that
II the good wishes of this organization
could be coined into dollars, all the money
necessary would be raised in short time
Rise Of Thought.
81 know no better way to connect my ad-
dress with this organization than to go
back to the early days of this country and
note the rise of a thought in which desire
YOU to be particularly interested" DR..
Needham said I'm the convention which
framed the Constitution of the United
States. the plan introduced as basis of
action by Charles Pinckney, and which was
used as the original draft of the Constltu-
ton provided for university at the seat
of government as an independent Item
The committee which reported the Constr
tuition in it's first form omitted the item,
and Madison. in the convention, moved 10
restore it, The Constitution was again re-
ferred to committee, and was reported
hack with the item omitted, but with the
provision giving Congress exclusive power
in the federal district. Again the question
was brought before the convention 6y the
resolution referred to, introduced by Pinck-
ney and Madison and seconded by Wilson,
authorizing the establishment of non-sec-
tartan university, and proposing TO insert
the provision among the specifications or
the powers granted to Congress as the ma
tional legislature. GouVerneur Morris op-
posed the resolution, saying 1T Is not neces.
sary. The exclusive power at the seat or
government will reach the object. The con-
yention accepted his view, thus adopting
the principle that the university to be es-
tablished at the national capital should De
organized by Congress as corporation or
the District of Columbia, under its powers
as the legislature of the District and not
under its powers as the national legislature.
Washington Pressed the Matter.
washington, following the thought of
the convention pressed the matter of
university upon the consideration of Con-
gress and upon the people through private
correspondence. and finally sought to plant
II by giving $25, 600 in his will as the begin
ming Of the private benefcence which was
to establish a university organized by Con-
gress
THE strong reason for the existence of
a university at the national capital is the
rare opportunities afforded the student in
political science, economics, American his
tory, International law and diplomacy.
These subjects are vital and sound govern
ment depends upon this knowledge. Let US
observe two questions illustrating this fact.
There are two great questions before the
people of this country today which require
the careful and dspassionate consideration
of scholars and practical men of affairs.
The first is the equal use and privilege of
all citizens of public utilities. The time
was In the history of this country when
the railroads were looked upon almost
wholly as private property. Contracts were
made with them by shippers upon this
theory 1t resulted In the growth of one
Of the greatest evils that exist today-the