Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-26
REPLIES TO JAMES
Mr.. Needham'S Plea for George
Washington University.
SHARE IN MORRILL, FUND
Statement Made Before House Com
mittee on Agriculture.
POWER IN HANDS OF CONGRESS
No Intention Of Vesting Control Of
Local Institution in Any
Denomination.
SHARE IN MORRILL, FUND
POWER IN HANDS OF CONGRESS

ton University. in replying to President
James of the University of Illinois before
the House committee on agriculture yes
tcrtlay, made the following statement as
to the present attitude of the university.
'In conclusion permit me to refer to
the suggestion of President James that
Congress establish and maintain an in
stitution for the District of Columbia. 1t
Is impossible for two universfties-one a
state institution or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
institution, and the other a nOn-Sectarian
institution-to exist side by side In this
District. The non-sectarian university ap-
peals to the city, to the civic pride and
needs of the people for its support. IL
these needs are provided for by an in
stitution supported out of the federal
treasury there will be no reason for the
peop.e to support one by private con-
tributions. The result would necessarily
be the destruction of the latter II the
former is established.
Other Method Regarded as Wiser.
IF 1t is the purpose of Congress now
or at any time to establish a state in
stitution for this District, by tnat
mean acknowledgement institu
ton, would it not be wiser to take over
the existing non-sectarian university,
with its property and organized work,
with its 1,4O students and the support
Of its $500 alumni, than to destroy
this structure by establishing new
one? We do not propose sucn action.
we prefer to continue our work as now
organized. But l do wish to impress
upon the committee, and through the
committee upon Congress, that these
two propositions. one to have a state
summarized n
non-Sectarlan university, are antagoniStic
and cannot 1.-Two together.
I'VE prefer to, ana can, carry our work
as it is now organized If Congress will
TO aid in supporting the work in the
mechanic arts and agriculture. Already
subscriptions have been made for over
$4,000 to provine for the deficiency in
income above the amount that we should
receive under the Morrill, act. l can as
sure you that if this bill is passed the
trustees will provlue promptly to carry
on without dimunition all the work now
being done.
AS Much Public as Cornell.
I'VE are as much a public institution as
is Cornell, which receives the allotment
under the Morrill, acts for the state of
New York That university has forty
trustees, ten of whom are officers OF the
state, who are made ex-officio members
Of the board, Il few are elected by the
alumni and the remainder of the thirty
are self-perpetuating. Under our char
ter Congress, and the Attorney Genera OF
tine United States have complete visftorial
powers and ma call for Information re-
garding any part Of the work or the mon
ogement OF the finances or any Of the
FUNDS at ny time.
Under the present bill four officers of
the government are made ex-officfo men,
kHa~C M hn bnn nf tr.,cf nHaa
reports are to he made to Congress re-
garding the conduct of the work. So far
as / know, there is not another institu-
ton in the District that has such pro-
VISIONS in its charter.
Congress has therefore complete yisi-
torial powers and can, under the prOvi-
sion in the charter reserving to itself
the right to modify and change the char
ter, completely control the manag ement
and conduct of the university along the
lines which are best suited to meet the
needs of the District.
Attempt Easily Discovered.
"If any attempt were made, as suggest
ed by President James, to vest the con-
troll OF the board i'll any denomination,
Congress, or the Attorney General, may
ascertain such fact and prevent such ac-
ton as being contrary to the letter and
spirit of the charter. We are therefore
as completely IL public institution as Cor
nell is.
1T would, therefore. seem wise that
this institution should be maintained and
continue as it is. That Congress should
give to it the benefits of the Morrill, acts
and leave to individual initiative and pri-
vate contributions the complete support
of the university, Congress always over
looking it's affairs and directing its work
along the lines and toward the end con-
templated i'm its charter-that Of furnish
Ing education of college and university
grade in all departments OF learning to
the young people OF this District.