The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-06-24
George Washington Does
Not Tend to Under
mine Morality"
SAYS INTELLIGENT
MEN WON'T BE HURT
Other Educators Also Contend
That Universities Do Not
Teach immortality.

DR.. Charles w. Needham, presi-
dent of the George Washington
University, this morning denied the
charge made by Bishop James A.
McFaul, of Trenton, n. j., who
twice within the past few days de
clared that several of the best
known universities of the country
Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Harvard,
George Washington and others-are
teachers of immortality.
Most of the leading institutions of
this country" said Bishop McFaul, in
an address at the annual commence
ment Of tee College Of St. FrarSis Xa-
vier, New York, are worthy of the
greatest censure BY reason OF their posi-
tive and negative teachings, which tend
TO undermine Christianity and moral
ity"
Bishop McFaul said also that send
ing a boy to one OF these universities
'is comparable with committing his
soul TO hell"
George Washington University does
morality" declared President Needham
this morning. we do rot teach subjects
which viii produce such an effect.
I'VE DC teach sociology and ecOnO-
mics, for We expect the student to un-
derstand social questions. We want
them 70 look upon both sides OF ques-
tions. They study the best thinkers in
sociology and l do not believe those
thinkers teach immortality. The stu
dents are given a knowledge, through
81 "a
Time For Teaching.
Y DO not believe In teaching sociology
to students before their last years IN
college. During the last year, or prob
ably the last two years. and during
their graduate studies sociology can be
taught. I believe, with broadening OF
the mind 1t IS a subject for scholarly
men. and should not be taught tcO
early since It is still in the course Of
construction
IN some small institutions directed
by religious bodies. ] believe the study
Of the modern subjects is not cOunteu-
anced. In larger Institutions, however,
they are taught and we believe in in
Etructing ia sociology and economy II
there were any immortality in teaching
such subjects I would certainly be op-
posed 10 them. but there is none so
FAR as / can see.
Bishop McFaul based his assertions.
he told a reporter at his Trenton home,
on an article IN a magazine. Since ne
made his first speech at the commence
9nen1 he has received numerous letters
IN reply, all OF which, ne says, either
beg The issue or merely call upon him
tor proof.
Says It's Duty.
"As custodian of the faith and morals
OF the people Of my parish" said the
bishop. iii is my duty to do my best
10 prevent their sending their sons TO
FnEf5ffgFEonE
four years course is the upbuilding OF a
cynicism and intimacy with immoral
ideas mat actual experience In the
Workaday world would never produce.
Il have no fault to find with the
young men. They are, as rule, clean
and strong, and bright. and the best
material out of which 20 make useful,
God-fearing ciLizens-when they enter
college. II is not their fault that on
graduation they are still worthy II is
against the men who preside over these
Institutions that my attack Is directed.
The executives who shape the curricu-
lum and who are responsible for the
lines Of study AFFORDED the student are
the men to blame.
THE information on which the
charges are based was gathered by the
estigaIOrs attending lectures in these
institutions. from interviews with mem
bers OF their faculties. and by consult
ng the typewriter or printed records Of
what Is taught there
And what was found in every cass7
The multiple issues OF morality. the
vitally important problems Of political
economy. marriage, divorce. the home,
religion and democracy-sll these sacred
principles OF the good mans life-sub-
-ljected TO a merciless analysis, as IL
they were fossils. gasJrOpods Verte-
brates, equations. chemical elements. or
chimeras
.'Refutatiou Of each individual count
IS simple enough. If IL is possible There
is need for me 10 say no more now. L
have asked for proof from the heads Of
these universities that their curricula
include only upbuilding healthfuI
Christian studies. Ignoring my request
eVaQing II on slim preteNtS attempt
ing 10 bef0E the issue By demanding
pro0f-none Of these methods will avail
Unless proof of the falsitv of these
charges is forthcoming ] shall instruct
every Catholic whom / can reach that
20 send a son TO one OF these universi-
ties is comparable only to committing
- soul 70 hell"