The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-05-28

Prof. Edmund j. James, President Q
the University Of Illinois, endorsing
the effort being made 10 establish
national university in Washington. Tai
letter was addressed to the trustees o
the George Washington University, wh'
are working to the eni that their in
s,itution may fill this niche, thus car
ying out the wishes OF the first Presi
dent OF the United States as contained
in his last win, Prof. James believes
that the presence Of university herr
would work immense good In the puri
fieation Of national politics.
In addition, the Illinois educator sees
in such an institution Of learning q
means for the upbnilding Of trained
ana efficient consular service, thus rails
ing the prestige OF the United States
abroad and insuring this country even
a greater measure Of the worlds trade
The George Washington University es'
tablished department Of this kind IN
June 1893, which was formally opened
in November Of that year. II is known
as the department Of politics and diplo'
macy and number Of its graduates
are already holding important positions
abroad under the government
With reference to the effect Of a
national university upon Congress, Prof
James says.
Another great advantage Of such Q
school as this, located in the capital
would be its powerful influence on Con
gress as whole in the direction Of
scientific treatment Of an political and
economic questions. Such school, with
faculty consisting OF able experts in
all the different lines Of government
policy and administration, would In
eyitable exert an immediate and help-
full influence upon the country aud
upon the attitude Of our Congressmen
and our government as a whole.
Washington Is the natural place fol
such a center Of scientific investigation
There, also, is the center from which
the most important influences may BE-
most Immediately expected upon politi.
clans and statesmen alike and raise
the level Of their thinking and their
action.
In the struggle for commercial su'
premacy among the great nations Of the
world, President James realizes to its
full the great advantage suca school
would lend. Not alone in the foreign
service Is this true, but in all OF the
various branches of government. In his
letter he says:
A great school Of this kind would
prepare men for the public service as at
present no men are prepared In the
United States. The existence Of such
school and the preparation which its
graduates would have call the attention
Of the Federal Administration to the
fact that it could obtain competent
men for any administrative, position
within its gift, and the supply Of men
with such training, would create a
their services.
This is Just now the stragetic mo.
ment, owing to the fact that a law has
been passed recognizing, reforming
and, in many respects, putting upon a
sounder basis the consular service of the
United States. The present law will
inevitable work in the direction of
providing trained consular service
but to carry this idea out to an ad.
equate and desirable extent it viii be
necessary to have some center where
these men may be properly trained. At
present no such center exists in this
country. In such school of politics
and diplomacy, located in Washington,
would be found the ideal place TO ac.
.quire this particular training.
1t would appear at first glance taat
Prof. James ia visionary in entertain.
ing the belief that the university would
have such decided effort upon Con.
gfess and the Administration. promi.
nent educators and number Of states.
men, however, point out that already
The George Washington University II
SO closely affiliated with the govern.
ment by reason Of the fact tilat IL
counts as members Of it's faculty a
large number OF government scientists
that 1t has demonstrated It's useful.
ness to the Administration. This use.
fulness Is seen most plainly in the adop.
tion by the government of scientific
discoveries made in the university
Laboratories and In the development Of