The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-21

natural TO retain those who we're thor
Cughly in harmony with the general
plans and development Of the univer-
sity.
The action of the Carnegie Foundation
in assuming that the university had no
option, but could retire only those ell
gibe who voluntarily sought retire.
ment, seems to be contrary to the usual
construction of pension systems. Waiy-
ing this point, however, their action in
our case was hasty and arbitrary AS
the secretary sought to give the widest
possible publicity TO the injury done
the university by giving their letter 70
the press, / give my letter in reply.
which states the facts regarding the
procedure.
Gives Letter
1T reads as follows:
June Il, 1909.
DR.. Henry S. Pritchett. President the
Carnegie Foundation for tie Ad-
vancement of Teaching.
Dear Sir. Your letter of June Z was
received while ne were in the midst of
commencement week, and for that Tea-
son the answer has been delayd. I'M
mediatey upon the receipt of your COM
munlca ton IL was presented to a special
meeting of the board of trustees.
1t is a matter Of sincere regret on
the part Of every one who has read
tie letter that your organization, with
| its high aims for the advancement of
all true efforts in educational work.
any notice to the university and with
out giving II any opportunity to be
heard upon ne real and apparent rea-
son for your action, as shown by your
letter That an institution of learning,
with 1,5O0 students, should be struck
sue a blow without warning or Oppor-
tunity to correct any defects in its adj
mlnlstEation that might be shown IS
difficult 20 comprehend, and, as ex-
pressed by others than myself, ainost
( impossible to believe.
Ner an earat
day morning, the ID instant, and was
shown every courtesy that could be
according 10 him. Our deans, who have
/ the immediate charge OF the educa-
| tiOpal work, although in the midst OF
| examinations, gave up their time and
showed him every consideration.
Came to Office.
AT the end of the examination he
came to my office and expressed in the
most hearty and gentleman.y way his
appreciation of the attention that had
I been shown him by the secretary of the
/ university and by the deans. ! asked
/ him to make any criticisms that he
/ desired TO make to me, and assured
him that we should be glad to correct
/ any defects in our system that could
/ be corrected. He made a few remarks
/ regarding some OF the work, part Of
/ them complimentary and part in friend
/ ~ criticism, but there was 10 intima-
/ ZION lnat IL was contemplated or that
/ the investigation was with a view 70
! terminate the relation between the
! foundation and this university.
Since the action has been taken it
/ has been stated b. DIT. Sterrett that
/ the agent spent two hours with him and
part Of the time with DR.. Gore regard
/ ling the matter Of their retirement What
! they said, of course, / do not. know
/ Had there been a fair investigation OF
/ that question with a view to taking ac-
! ton regarding it, / respectfully submit
/ that the other side of the question
/ should have been heard. 10 assume
/ that there is but one side to an issue
! is not only unfair. but tends 10 create
: the impression that il is desired to hear
/ only one side.
Since coming here in 1902. 1 have had
bat one aim, anu that is gradually to
make the institution a true university,
| serving this community In all possible
/ lines of higher educatiOn-a community
/ that has pressing needs for such ad-
vantages
% From my acquaintance with you
| can but believe that upon mature re-
Election you will see the injustice that
has been done, and viii accord a hear
I ing TO the university.
With very great respect, I am, sin
- CHARLES ". NEEDHAM.'
The Finances.
"Fifteenth-In reference to the f1nan-
ciaI conditions of the university, the
treasurer has handed me a comparative
statement of the assets Of the university
in 1900 and the assets at the close of the
fiscal year 1905 which shows that in 1900
the gross assets of the university, in
Gliding everything. were $905. 9.45. and
the liabilities were 1925, 1851, leaving the
net assets S579,559.SA In 1908, the total
I S4S9, 004.24. leaving the net asse S $780,
49S. 80. The increase In the indeb edness
during the last period was occs stoned
by the completion OF the new medical
school building and the hospital in 1912,
and Indebtedness created to meet def
ciencies in current expenses.
/ 'Of the foregoing assets tie produc-
tive investments in 1900 were 6Zz3, 500. %.
In 1903 they were 1927, 40 q. This change
I in the productive assets was caused by
/ the drain upon the funds OCCasiOned by
the increase in the cost of maintaining
the university The contributions toward
! the current expenses were insufficient to
/ meet the annual deficit and thus funds
| which were properly applicable, had to
be used TO pay the salaries and current
expenses, OF close the doors TO progress.
Always Had Deficit
1T must be borne in mind that the
university has always had a deficit. It's
productive funds have never been suf-
hcient to meet its expenses. In round
figures, $I23, 600 OF the Indebtedness in
"
accumulated deficits. Since the new
policy went into effect the annual def
cts nave necessarily been larger than
they were before, and have been incur
red with the authority of the board Of
/ trustees, in the belief that the improve
ment Of the educational standards and
work. with the increased number OF
students coming in upon higher en-
trance requirements, would SO demon
/ strate the needs Of such a university in
this District that predetermined and he
ueficent men would come to its aid and
/ support the movement It had been
| demonstrated by numerous efforts that
/ no money could be obtained for the old
| university. No successful effort for en-
dOwment is possible, except for true
university doing high-grade work.
I'VE need to secure for the expenses
| next year, 1909-1O, $50 GOO, 10 keep the uni
| versity going on its present plans. This
budget has been approved by the board
and if the money is not provided. it will
/ again have to be paid out OF existing
/ assets II is apparent that this process
| of meeting annual deficits out of the
| assets cannot go on very long