The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-07-26

WASHINGTON, July 25.--Following
the action taken at the recent convention
of the National Etucational Associa-
tion, which adjourned last week at Los
Angeles, Congress IL preparing itself for
another threatened raid on the nationaa
treasury. This Ii III The form OF prop.
osition ttnt the government establish
and maintain here at the national capi-
tai university that will symbolic the
essence, so to speak, Of American intel
lectual life. The plan il to have Con-
gress appropriate the funds necessary
for starting The institution, equipping It
with buildings and providing 1t with a
first class faculty, and then making APP
popriations Tor III maintenance regu-
lar feature.
IL Is likely that the three members
Of the committee appointed by the con
yention to present the petition to Con-
gress will find themselves set to q
IIercuIcanean task. The sparsely set
tied states, or thoae far removed from
Washington, scarcely win look with
favor on the proposal TO devote public
money to a project that viii rebound
to the benefit Of the densely populated
and more accessible commemorative
There win be pretty fight; this Il
prophesied plainly BY those who know
the temper Of Congress.
Another feature that will block The
plans oil the committee Il to be found
In the movement undertaken by George
Washington University to accomplish
just exactly what the National Eluca-
tional Association has contemplated
This Institution was established in 1921
and has Of recent years risen to com
mandiDg position among American seatI
Of learning. II Is distinctly and irreyo'
cably opposed to the acceptance Of an.
government funds Id aiding it to at
tain the position il aspires to occupy
Its funds, both for the purpose Of erect.
| ing new buildings and OF establishing I
suitable endowment fund. are, coming
| from contributions from patriots
Americans. Thus, the creation OF such |
national institution does not fall heavil,
on the taxpayers Of the country, /
small proportion Of whom would prob
tabiiy be in position to avail them.
selves Of the opportunity to send theil
children To such school
| Although the government Is giving ne
financial aid to the George Washington
University movement, it is contributing
to the success Of the institution in an.
other manner. On the faculties of the
various branches of the university are
to be found men Of science, statesmen
and iurists in the employ of the govern
ment, DR.. Harvey w. Wiley holds a
chair, as do Associate justices of the
Supreme Court Harlan and Brewer; John
Osborne, chief of the Bureau of Trade
Relations Of the State Department;
John Foster, secretary of state under
President Harrison, and number OF
Others actively engaged in government
work and know by reason of their work
throughout the world. Uncle Sam has
a faculty of getting the best men to be
found, and he appears to be acting as a
tleeruiting agent for the classrooms OF
the local university.
simultaneously with the announce
ment that the National Educational As
sociation had named the national
university" committee, a report has
sprung up in Washington that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will be asked to take
charge Of such q university. il the plan
should find favor He has been reported
as the next head of his alma mater,
Harvard and other rumors have had him
consigned to the presidency Of other
universities. 1t is almost certain that
there is no grain Of truth in any of the
stories. Mr.. Roosevelt has his eyes on
a seat in the Senate. His aspirations
are all set that way,