The Washington herald., 1910-02-26
NEEDHAM REPLIES
TO JAMES SPEECH
Continued from Page one.

State presidents wanted This could be
done without the delay incident to secur-
ing new legislation, the charter OF 1901
providing for a board of trustees and a
board of visitors
Each OF the State universities was to
affiliate with George Washington, TO be
represented on its board of visitors. and
to thus supervise the university here.
The new BOARD would elect the president
of the university, the only condition being
they should pledge the maintenance of a
complete course of undergraduate studies.
I'VE were willing TO agree that no de-
gree would be conferred upon students
from other universities without the con-
sent of those institutions, thus permitting
the higher studies to be pursued here ma
the credit to revert TO the institutions
from which the student was sent" he
said Under these conditions the con-
troll OF the institution was to have been
turned over 10 a board which they Sc
lected."
The proposition. however, was not re-
ceived with favor, because, with the ex-
ception Of two or three presidents. there
was strenuous opposition 10 university
IN Washington. supported by the govern
ment that should have the degree-con-
ferring power or do any undergraduate
work The bill they have agreed to. sub
mitted to Congress last session by Presi-
dent James. makes no provision for the
comforting of degrees, but does provide
that no student shall be admitted who
has not previously obtained a degree from
another institution.
MY contention" continued President
Needham, has been. and is. that uni
versity in Washington should carry on all
branches of work that are carried on by
the State universities. including the IN
dergraduate, graduate, and professional
courses. giving to the young people OF
the District complete opportunities for
university education with all the technical
and professional branches and research
work
What 1t Means 40 District.
- think this community is entitled to
have. not a part or piece OF enc but
a complete, true university. dong work
in all departments Of learning. 1t is a
vital thing to-day to take care OF young
people here. either temporarily or perma-
pently. and who are unable to obtain an
education elsewhere.
This community. in It's composition. is
little understood by the educators Of the
States While the incomes are limited TO
such an extent as to make the sending OF
children TO colleges elsewhere, the people
are OF a high grade OF intelligence. and
attain a high standing IN competition
with those elsewhere. There are many
secretaries to Congressman and other
officials also. who are selected for their
positions because they are choice men.
Many of them accept these positions for
the educational opportunities they find
here
I'VE cannot lower the university stand
ards and as a result those who cannot
give their entire time TO the courses re-
qure a longer time TO complete the
course, and more teachers are required
than are 20 be found elsewhere. For ex-
ample, George washington, with between
300 and 400 pupils in the law department,
has more teachers than Harvard with
between so and 100 students. There are
eight instructors at the last-named in
stitution. while there are fourteen here
four Of whom devote their entire time
TO the work"
President Needham said that II the
United States government would provide
a complete and true university course he
personally believed a government institu-
ton would be preferable to the continu-
ance Of the university under it's present
management. but II graduate work alone
was provided for 1t would be far better
for the government 10 leave the field TO
the present institution.
If Congress should decide to take over
the property Of the George Washington
University ali that would be necessary
would be to amend the charter so as to
provide for the appointment OF the ;rus-
tees by the President. by Congress. or
by any government official that might be
designated, making the trustees directly
accountable to the Congress OF the United
States Under such circumstances the
present board would tender their resigna-
tions and the institution would become a
national university.