Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-19
PLAN KNOWLEDGE
CLEARING HOUSE
Great Institution to Be Built at the
National Capital, Where Youths
Of the Land May Be
Educated
Special to The Herald.

| Special to The Herald
! WASHINGTON, March 1S-Looking
down from the wall of the office of
President Needham of George Wash
ington university is crisp five-dollar
bill inclosed in a golden frame. The
bank note has the distinction of being
the first actual cash paid into the
endowment fund which is to make the
university a great national educational
institution.
Although more than $115,OOO has been
pledged within the last few davs for
the purpose of buying a site for tha
university buildings it remained for a
washington citizen to make the first
actual contribution of real money.
AN appeal to the citizens of Wash
inston and statement of facts about
the university has been made public
py the executive committee of the
organization of students, alumni and
cltlzens. which has been formed to
raise the $4OOO0O necessary for the
purchase OF the college site. -
me collection of this sum is pro-
oe o1euins rapidly and 1t is the intention
eventually to appeal to the country
generally to assist in the establish.
menu or what is intended to be a
typical american university. In ex-
plalnlng the movement the document
says: "iiioh'
All May Assist
generally, therefore, the reasons of
this movement are: That there is ana
since the foundation of the povern-
ment has been. a recognized need
wnlcn was clearly felt and pointed out
py washington of great university
tai,, az lhe national capital to fulfill GER
tS .aih great and beneficent functions in
the life of the people of the whole
country, which are now more mr. iess
clearly understood and which can hv
uelloeration be formulated; and that
Ine george Washington university is
ntted to be that university.
Generally also, therefore. the oh
Jects or this movement are to deveIon
and establish the George Washin eton
university by the private benefactions
OF the people of the whole country. es
university to fulfill these benefcent
aunctions which Washington and his
associates would have wished such a
university to fulfill and to meet this
recognized end.'
In explanation of the above if nnipht
be said that George Washineton in
his last will and testament. made nuh-
lie In 1899, urged the foundation of a
university which would be national in
character and clearing house for the
knowledge of the whole country, with
out regard either to political faiths,
religious creeds or sectional differ.
ences.
1t was the dream of the first pres-
ident of the United States to see the
foundation stones laid for such an in
stltutlon, but he died before his wish
was realized. --
No Aid from Congress
In order to carry out the idea or
the father of his country to it's fullest
degree the George Washington univer-
sity authorities will not ask any as
slstance at the hands of congress. No
appropriations Will either be sought or
accepted If proffered and in this wav
the university can keep absolutely
clear of all political entanglements.
This refusal to accept federal as
slstance, of course, will be waived in
the case of appropriations made gen
orally for the establishment of special
courses for the benefit of the country
at large, such as the establishment OF
a chair of agriculture. This, however
Is the only exception that the univer-
sity authorities will recognize.
> The cosmopolitan character of the
local work under way to assist the
building fund was seen at a mass
meeting TINS week held in the Shore
ham hotel, at which speakers of almost
every race, creed and political belief
addressed the gathering. Rabbi Abram
Simon, who was one of the principal
speakers said
"The movement is one that COM
mands the admiration of the nation.
There should be established in WASH
ington a university that can be looked
upon with pride by other nations. II
was George Washington's desire To
have here established a national uni
versity, and now that this admirable
movement has been launched l pray
that 1t may be forced to successful
termination"