The Washington herald., 1909-06-25

Pleading eIoQuently and earnestly FOR
a reawakening Of civic interest in higher
education. and the permanent endow-
ment by Congress Of national university
OF the broadest scope. OF which Georse
Washington University shall form the
nucleus, Dr. :. 5. Laws. one Of the most
widely known and successful educators
and business managers OF universities. was
enthusiastically appIauded by the George
Washington University alumni last nigae
at the New Willard HcteL
DR.. Laws. while NOT an aIumnus OF
George Washington University. was pres
ent by invitation He spoke al the con-
clusion OF a business meeting Of the
alumni OF Columbian College and George
Washington University. called 10 con-
slider the financial condition OF the uni
versity. He said that as one Of the old
est educators II this country, a citizen
OF the District OF Columbia. with that
interest IN the upbunding OF every in
terest in the city Of Washington that
would make II the most beautiful and
greatest city from an educational view
point. he had watched with interest and
alarm the financial condition OF the in
stitution.
Solid Foundation.
'To successfully conduct any coHeze o.
university a solid foundation must be
laid with permanent endowment fund.
whose priAcipsl must be held sacred, and
only the income used for the maintenance
Of needs. Whenever a university fnds
Il necessary 10 use any part OF its endow-
nent fund for current expenses. 4 IS
entering upon dangerous ground. ana
faces a preciplce Over which Il VII
tumble 70 disaster and ruin Il not
promptly checked I understand. from
published reports OF the business conduct
Of your university. that Il has become
necessary 20 use IIberaIly the PRINCIPAL OF
your endowment fund This policy, Il
persisted in, VIII bankrupt you. and
place your university In history as ore
OF the former universities OF our land.
You are facing a precipiee OF the most
dangerous character. and unless some
means are devised 10 stop the use OF
your endowment fund. which is nothing
short Of misapprOpriation OF q sacred
trust. the end Is not far away.
I have given this matter the deepest
study. not that 7 am al alumni OF your
university, but as a veteran educator and
citizen and taxpayer IN your city. 7 sec
one solution OF the matter. and I purpose
70 take the liberty 10 suggest Il 10 YOU.
as have neves seen It brought forward
in the consideration OF the troubles OF
your alma mater.
Let me caH 10 your mind the historic
fact, that when Gen George Washington
died he left fifty shares OF the Potomac
Canal Company stock. then worth 800
or a total par value Of S25000, 20 be de-
voted 10 the establishment Of a national
university of learning IN Washington.
Those bonds were guaranteed by the na-
tiOnal government The legacy devised
BY Gen Washington has never been ap-
Piled nor paid and while ~ this distant
6ay IL cannot be said there exists a legal
obligation or the part OF the Federal gov
eminent 20 pay this S25.O00. with interest.
yet there does exist a moral Obligation
that should be promptly met
I appeal 10 you. individually and col
~
with one mighty effort bring % bear upon
Congress and other governmental infiu-
ence, your influence that shall seek the
enactment Of legislation By Congress ap-
propriating the principaI and interest OF
This fund which shall be applied 70 the
erection and endowment OF a national
university Of rhe broadest type. of which
your alma mater shall form the basis
II this can be accomplished, you viii
have from that little insignificant sum
left by Gen washington. due 10 ac-
cumulated interest. between S50e0.o0o and
S4.olo,000 10 make Washington the home
OF the greatest university in the land"
Country Is Interested
DIT. Laws concluded by saying that the
whole country is interested in the estab-
ushment Of such a university; and while
the Federal government maintained only
two schools. West Point and Annapolis.
il should be. and is. the patron OF higher
education OF the country The establish
meat Of this national university. DR..
Laws thought IS a legitimate idea and
a fundamental proposition: only long.
delayed justice due 70 George WashinS-
ton University
Mr.. Justice Brewer. OF the United States
Supreme Court, is strong ana en-
thuslastc advocate Of such a proposition.
and among his lectures delivered before
the law school Of George Washington Uni
versity lasC winter, delivered a lecture
entitled shall George Washington's VIII
b executedz
Dr.. Laws Is a graduate Of Cambridge.
the Princeton Theological School; a law
yer. theolOgian. scholar. ART critic, and
author, and one OF the most widely known
OF the American university educators and
presidents He was president Of the state
University OF Missouri taking charge OF
that institution when Il had an endow-
ment Of only S200,oo0, and an attendance
OF 800 When he left Il the endowment
had been raised 10 8, 2,5oe.ee0 and uaatricu-
Continued On Page ?, Column g.
RouuuesS for Graduafas 81