The Washington times., 1909-06-11
G. v. j. WILL ASK
A RECONSIDERATION
Intends Striving TO Regain
Favor With Carnegie
Foundation.
DISMISSAL OF MEN
BLAMED FOR ACTION
Letter to Prof. Sterrett Gave In
formation Concerning Discon-
tinuance of Pension Benefits.

George Washington University, con-
fronted with the sudden and unexpected
notice from the Carnegie Foundation for
the Advancement of Teaching that it
had been removed from the list of bene-
fictaries. viii take immediate steps 10
obtain reconsideration of the decision.
President Needham, OF the university,
has laid before the trustees the letter
received from the Carnegie Foundation
announcing that if has withdrawn its
support and viii not pension teachers
who may be retired by the Washington
school.
Responsible for this action. the trus-
tees understand, is mainly the recent
removal of Prof. J. Mcbride Sterrett
and Prof. James Howard Gore. although
the unexpected notice sets out that the
educational policy of the university is
responsible.
Announcement is made today by a rep
resentative of the board of trustees
that the present financial difficulties I'M
der which the university is laboring in
no wise caused the action Of the Car
negie Foundation, as that institution
does not concern itself with the financial
status Of any college upon its pension
rolls.
Notice Came Saturday.
President Needham said this afternoon
that notice OF withdrawal came on Sat
urday last The school authorities have
not as yet replied 70 the letter. When
a reply is made a reconsideration will be
asked, and the educational policy of the
institution. as well as the circumstances
responsible for the removal of Prof
Sterrett and Prof. Gore. viii be fully
outlined.
These two men have been placed upon
the pension rolls of the Carnegie Foun-
dalton. although Prof Sterrett was ad-
vised that technicality had to be
waived IN his case, and that this I'M
usual action was taken because Of the
unfortunate manner in which he severed
his connections with the George Wash
ington University.
The withdrawal of the support be-
came known through the contents of a
letter from the executive committee to
Prof. Sterrett. which informed him that
the monthly pension would be paid 10
him direct instead Of through the uni
versity, as is usual in such cases. The
letter from the New York headquarters
OF the Foundation is as follows:
The Sterrett Letter.
New York. June 9. 1903
Dear Prof. Sterrett: I beg 80 inform
you that at meeting of the executive
committee. held on June 4. the recon-
mendation of the president of George
Washington University for a retiring al
lowanee in your case. together with the
statement that your service in the uni
fFsrA aH 1cfrf
der the rules, a teacher Is not entitled
10 count service in a theological institu-
F ton, but In view of the difficult expert
ence through which YOU have been com
PEELED to 60. the executive committee
waived this technicality and voted a re-
firing allowance on the basis OF your
twenty-seven years of service.
In making this concession the eX-
ecutive committee desires 10 express its
appreciation of your work as a teacher.
ana its regret al the Uncomfortab Bile
manner IN which your service has Deen
closed
This retiring allowance viii be sent
you IN monthly check. directly TO
your own address inaswuch ss the rela-
ton Of the George Washington Univer-
sity as an accepted institution has been
terminated by action of the executive
committee Very sincerely yours,
HENRY 5. PRITCHETT."
Needham Explains.
President Needham this afternoon
said that fl was evident that the
action Of the Carnegie Foundation
had been hssty and prejudiced There
had been no changes IN the university,
he said. since the Institution was plac-
ed on the pension list that wouId Jug
tify a later withdrawal Of support
It is evident that the school trus-
tees believe that If it had not been
for the dismissal Of Prof. Sterrett and
Prof. Gore the support would never
rave been withdrawn.
President Needham's explanation Of
the matter is as follows:
- received the communication from
the Carnegie Foundation. and on the
same day laid II before the hoard Of
trustees. II was apparent TO all WHO
read the letter that the action had been
taken hastily, and as the direct result
Of the controversies which have arisen
through the working out Of necessary
economies in our work.
''The university Was placed upon tho
Foundation after careful examination.
and report, and its work today is bet
ter than 81 was at the time 10 was aG-
mitted. Like ali other institutions, iJ
has its special problems growing out Of
the peculiarities OF some part of the
student body il serves.
Problems Different.
Many Of our students come up from
The South. where there are few high
schools and the deans In enforcing en-
france requirements have 10 take into
consideration the work Of preparatory
school OF a different kind than the
Fan Ynu See This GIa9TIv ?