The Washington times., 1909-09-09
Prospects Bright for Record
Breaking Enrolment
This Year.
WILL RENEW FIGHT
BEFORE CONGRESS
Despite Opposition, the University
Will Seek Share Of Morrill,
Act Funds.

! With present prospects indicating that |
| the enrolment will exceed the 1,500 4
/ mark reached last year, and that the I
next Congress will act favorably upon \
/ the so-called Gallingher bill, which has /
/ already passed the Senate. amending /
/ the Morrill, act so that the university 1
! can share in appropriations by the Gov ]
| ernment. George Washington University /
will throw open its doors September y. /
Officials OF the university are busy
/ registering applicants for admission. /
/ Secretary Davis said this afternoon that !
there would be an increased attendance |
at the beginning Of the fan term. and {
other officials are equally as optimistic
over the financial outlook.
Opposition Unheaded
Despite the opposition that has de-
veloped in some quarters. headed by Or.
Edmund J. James, president of the Uni
versity OF Illinois, who objects to any
1 District institution sharing in the Nor
rill act funds which are annually appro-
priated for the benefit Of State institu-
tions. the George Washington Univer-
sity, having won a partial victory. will
confidently redouble its efforts before
j Congress in December.
The argument set out by the univer
sity. an UNDERGRADUATE and post-gradU-
ate institution. is that the people Of
government taxes. are entitled 70 share
under the Morrill, act. as well as the
forty-odd States and Territories Of the
Union.
DR.. James Letter.
DR.. James, who states in a letter TO
The Times that he is opposed TO the
principle Of any privabte institution be-
coming a beneficiary under the Morrill,
act. has written a letter TO the various
) state university presidents throughout
the country. urging their cooperation
in defeating the Gallinger az lendments,
, which passed the Senate in the closing
days Of the last regular session. DR..
James also has addressed a letter 20
, the members Of Congress from his
/ State and suggests a similar action on
the part Of other university heads.
With a view 10 ascertaiTing DR.
James reasons for taking a step that
= those connected with the George Wash
ington University regard as being a
p. directly hostile act toward the Washing
ton institutions and the George Wash
I | Times communicated with Dr.. James
and he has furnished this paper with a
D summary of his reasons and also with
r. copy OF his letter 10 o-educators.
: Campaign Started.
II was learned today that, becoming
aware Of DR.. James efforts, one OF the
D prominent officials OF George Washing
2 ton University had started a campaign
+, to counteract that Of the Illinois edu-
Gator among the State university presi-
e dents and that he has received assur-
?. ances from several Of the latter that
: they will not oppose the District sharing
=. in the Morriall act benefits. Should tile
bill pass both houses Of the next session
! II would amount to an appropriation of
4 about $4,000.
\ Or. James. in hts letter TO this paper.
denies any special antagonism toward
z the George washington University. In
e part, he says:
Personally. however I have felt that
+ Washington ought 10 be a great center
d or higher education. one Of the great
G centers Of the world. and 1 think il is
] in fair way of becoming such The
e admirable work done by the George
~ Washington. the Catholic UNIVERSITY
y by Georgetown University, and the
d work which will ultiuGately be done by
the American University, not yet open
ed, viii. I am certain. be Of assistance
N in accomplishing this end.
y Has No Doubts.
But after all. II Washington Is ever
90 become really great center Of high
" er learning, it must be, as I believe. as
p the result Of Federal endowment Of
Q national university. I have no doubt
that this will ultimately be done
Greatly as 7 am interested in the
welfare OF the George Washington Uni
z versity. and fir mas is my belief I'm the
< successful future Of the important
N church and private institutions now at
h. work in the District OF Columbia. as an
= American citizen, ] am absolutely OPP
AZ posed to the Congress Of the United
=. states apprOpTiatinE money 10 a Meth
II Odist, Baptist. Catholic or auv other
. form OF sectarian or private university.
Such a policy would have very serious
n and unfavOrable influence upon the gem
" erai educational interests Of the COun-
n, try at large.
m $50 far from being oppoqsd TO the
10 interests Of George Washington Univer-
l. sity I'm any way, I have done eevrything
could 10 interest certain private par
- tles IN giving money 70 George Wash
~ ingtOn. / feel myself that it has used
y the money already given 10 II well, and
II / Il would use other money given TO Il
we'll but ! also feel that as . private
- institution II should not receive sup
port from the Federal Treasury"
University's Side
Controverting this theory, .he George
y Washington University makes the fol-
loving argument to Congress:
Neither now. nor at any future time.
= would the bin take away a penny from
% the other institutions already being aid
II ed out Of the annual Morrill, appropria-
a ton.
Is The bill would simply make II pos
70 eible for the District Of Columbia. as
an important. separate and integral por-
tion OF the country, 10 get its equitabie
= snare in the fund which the Federal
z Government under existing laws now
distributes annually TO each of the
forty-eight States and territories for
D. the purpose Of bringing the special
forms OF education contemplated by the
70 Continued on Eleventh P@ge)
Stewards recipe for longevity is