Evening star., 1909-06-17
A United Front for Washington.

A United Front for Washington.
All Washingtonians who are interested
in the capitals development as an edu-
cational center, as well as the alumni and
friends of George Washington Univer-
sity, are naturally deeply concerned at
the recent attacks upon this university.
tending to cripple or destroy it. Wheth-
er one approves OF disapproves the poll
cies of the university in the recent past,
whether or not one sympathizes with this
or that teacher as unjuStly or 1ncon-
siderately treated in the process of re-
trenchment. the present conditions of
hostile outside assault tend to drive into
harmonious cooperation in the univer-
sity's and Washingtons interest all
George Washingtonians, all Columbians
and all true Washingtonans.'
1t is understood that Mr.. Carnegie and
the Rockefeller organization for educa-
tional advancement are opposed to the
development of real university doing
undergraduate as well graduate work
in Washington. feeling that Johns Hop
kins and the University of Virginia
should cover the university field in this
section
Washingtonians, on the contrary, are
convinced that there SHOULD be at the
capital such an institution. profiting by
the city's wealth of educational material
in the governments libraries, museums
and laboratories and by the capitals ma
tional and patriotic Inspiration to Ameri-
can youth. That the people of Washing
ton need such institution is clear
to the point OF demonstration. Such a
in noI if.- ayic CT 6
here, collecting within it's walls fine
body of over 1,50O students, with edu-
cationaI standards heretofore conceded to
be high and with purposes and aspra-
tions heretofore acknowledged to be
worthy and commendable. To destroy
this institution would be to check the
capitals development national edu-
cational center. TO deprive many of the
youth of Washington of small means of
the discipline and preparation for self
support which such an institution, prop
erly utilized, will give, and to strike
down a most promising, unobjectionable
because smokeless) industry at the cap
ital, which already lacks conspicuous
ly such means of local employment and
local self-support.
No university ever maintains itself from
the fees of students alone. Endowment
by state or church or individuals is abso-
lutely essential. The expansion of this uni
versity on broader lines, with wider op-
portunities and in some respects higher
standards, and the coordination of its
hitherto scattered branches have been
undertaken primarily, for the purpose OF
deserving, attracting and securing this
necessary endowment.
This development has been accomplish
ed. a real university has been created.
But the endowment that was hoped for
and expected has not been secured
If neither Mr.. Carnegie nor Mr. Rookie
feller will recognize and improve the
grand opportunity for honoring himself.
for patriotically promoting the welfare of
the National Capital and for advancing
the cause of higher education in the
United States, by following the precedent
set by George Washington himself of en-
dewing a great institution of learning at
the National Capital, some other patriotic.
publicspirited benefactor among Ameri-
cas- men of wealth must be found to
grasp enthusiastically the chance to con-
meet sfis name honorably and conspicu-
ously with an educational project of the
greatest conceivable national interest and
Importance. There is no educational pro-
motion trust. There is no monopoly In
these noble benefactions.
Somewhere in the United States is THE
man who should endow this university
preserve it on its present high standards
hold together its army Of American youth
bless Washington and honor the nation
with the great institution of which
George Washington dreamed Nav this
man soon be revealed,
Meanwhile there is a present duty
pressing upon all interested in the uni
versity and, indeed upon all Washing
tonians. The jealousies and prejudices OF
outside institutions and interests are
very hard under any circumstances foi
Washington. as a developing educationa
center, to resist and overcome, this con-
dtion should not be aggravated BY
wranglings among ourselves. If We wish
the university to live and prosper we
must not in the reckless Excitement OF
controversy join with the enemies OF
Washington as an educational center to
belittle and discredit unduly local in
structors and instruction or local stand
ards, purposes and aspirations. This il
not time TO indulge freely in internal
dissensions and in bitter reeriminations
On the contrary, il is the season fol
mutual forbearances among Washing
tonians for cooperation, for the sinking
Of personal differences and for loyal self
and OF Washington as an educationa
center.
"a hat he iI-a nf a n1Tnf