The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-01-18
Senators Hear Representa-
tives of Washington and
Howard Universities.
DR.. NEEDHAM DENIES
SECTARIAN CHARGE
Q. W. u. President Presents Dis
trict Institutions Claims Upon
Money Given State Schools.

Representatives Of George Washington
and Howard Universities appeared be-
fore the Senate Committee on tZ-tcul-
ture and Forests this morning 70 ask
that these institutions receive the bene-
fits Of the Morrill, act. and that money
be appropriated for the establishment Of
agricultural departments at each. as is
now Appropriated for at least one educa p
tionaI institution in each State and Ter
ritOry-
George Washington University profes-
sors. headed by President Needham,
asked for the entire amount Of the fund
should the District OF Columbia be in
cIuded in the scope Of the act. The
Howard representative wanted a d.
vision of the sum, stating that they
were wiling TO take three-tenths Of It
and leave the remaining five-tenths for
the white school While there was no
clash over the matter. there were many
reasons advanced why this division
should or should not be made,
The committee did not complete the
hearing. but will sit again next Tuesday
10 hear any further argument which
may. be presented The committee room
was crowded with interested persons,
and there were several who had no
chance to be heard Commissioner Mac
farIand was present. and spoke briefly
on the justice Of the Districts claims
for a part Of this fund
Replied to Charges
President Needhan replied 20 the
charges made by President James, OF
the University Of Illinois. and declared
that 1t was not true that his school
was sectarian- He said that It had once
been known as q Baptist institution, but
a charter change had now made it en-
tireIy independent OF church connec-
tons.
He said that the university was sub
Ject only 70 control by Congress. and
pointed out that the power Of visitation
rested with Congress always. and the
authority TO examine the schools books.
accounts, and the administration OF its
trust funds as well These facts said
Dr. Needhan. place the university. as
a matter Of fact. under the patronage
Of the Government, and should entItle
il 70 as much Government support as
Is consistent with the Federal main
tenance Of the District and It's interests
He pointed out that the students Of
George Washington University were
largely men who had come here ac-
cepted some position. and proceeded
then 70 complete their education They
came from all States and Territories
Many OF them are secretaries and Gov
eminent clerks, who work their way
through school Another class represent
the sons Of Government employees. Who
could not go away 70 school on ac-
count Of the expense For these rea-
sons DT. Needhem COntended that Cnn-
gress should deal literally with the uni
versity- certainly so. when II rerneu-
bered. he added. that there are no IN
oustries here 20 command their labor,
rv-Iw
employment
Not a Subsidy.
The idea that the proposed application
OF part OF the MorroH fund to the
District was a subsidy, was vigorously
resented by Dr.. Needham- He said that
the fund was applicable to all States
and Territories alike, that each State
chose its own institution 10 share the
benefits, and that Congress had q right
TO name the Institution in the District
Prof Kelly Miller spoke for Howard
University He said that his institution
could qualify for part Of thu Morrill,
fund without O f1cuIty, that # was non
sectarian. public. and national in its
character. He said that sixteen cOIored
institutions thr oUghoUt the South re-
ceived a part Of these funds. and that
Howard University was entitled TO It's
part Tor many good reasons
Commissioner MacfarIand said that Il
would not be generosity on the part Of
Congress 10 grant the District q share
Of the Morrill, fund, but that II would
be simple justice. He said that the ap-
pearance before that committee would
be his valedictOry as the OfCfiiaI advO-
cate Of the District before COnSTession-
al committees
Among those present representing
George Washington University were
President Needham, Dr.. Richard i.
Harlan. Dr. S H Greene, Harry E
Eavy, ard John p. Larner, and Dean
Borden Of the Medical School. From
Howard University came Kelly Miller
Garner, Whitfield Mckinley. and J. r
Wilder.