Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-13
FINDS FOR G. ". u.
Committee Reports to House
on Morrill, Act Benefits.
DISTRICT HAS PLAIN CASE
Only Question as to Instrumentality
of Expenditure.
NO FULLY PUBLIC COLLEGE
George Washington University De-
clared to Come Nearest
Requirements.
DISTRICT HAS PLAIN CASE
10 FULLY PUBLIC COLLEGE

The House committee on agriculture to-
day reported favorably the perfected bill
extending the benefits Of the Morrill, act
to the District of Columbia, the text Of
which has been heretofore published In
The Star. The report says:
The committee on agriculture, to which
was referred H. r. 24316 to amend an
act entitled An act donating public lands
TO the several states and territories
which may provide colleges for the bene-
fit of agriculture and the mechanic arts
approved July 2, 1862, and the acts sup
Elementary thereto. so as to extend the
benefits thereof to the District OF CO.
lumbia, has had the same under consid-
Grafton and begs leave to report the bill
back with an amendment, with the REQ
ommendation that the amendment b
agreed to and that the bill as amended
be passed.
The purpose of this act is to give to
the District of Columbia the benefit Of
the Morrill, act of 1882 and the subse-
quent acts supplemental to and amenda-
tory thereof for the establishment and .
maintenance of colleges for the benefit
Of agriculture and the mechanic arts, and
designating George Washington Univer-
sity as the instrumentality through which
the fund provided in such acts shall be
expended
Soon after the bill was introduced IN
the House in December, 1909, a vigorous
campaign was begun against it by rep
resentatives of the state universities who
protested against the legislation on the
ground that George Washington Uni
versity. as private institution with tas
was alleged) strong UNCONVENTIONAL pro-
clivities, ought not to be. made the bene-
ficiary Of a grant from the public treas
1n41 6atA he q
tiyes of certain labor organizations and
other citizens of the District of Columbia
memorialized your committee In the IN
terest of the Mckinley Manual training
School, arguing that the fund should De
granted to that institution on the ground
that il is well equipped TO do the work.
and that as a part of the public scnooi
system of the District no fees are charged
for tuition therein.
Exhaustive Hearings Held.
I'm order that those objecting 10 the
legislation from any standpoint might
have an opportunity to present their
views exhaustive hearings were held and
several days spent in taking testimony
and listening to argument. After full ana
careful consideration of all the facts de-
yeloped by these hearings, and after
weighing carefully the arguments brought
forward by those who opposed as wen as
by those who favor the bill, your commit
tee reached the following conclusions;
''The bill contains two entirely distinct
which may be stated in the
form of questions: First. Is the District
of Columbia entitled to a share or the
Morrill, funds on the same basis as otner
states territories and dependencies! Sec
ond. If the District of Columbia Is en-
titled to share in these funds, then
through what instrumentality may me
best results be obtained?
THE first question is to be answered
by Congress i'm it's capacity as the legis-
latfve body of the nation, and your COM
mittee recognizes the right of any citi-
zen of the United States to interest him.
self in the answer which Congress shaIl
make to it. In the opinion or your COM
mittee. there can be but one answer 10
this question, and that in the af1irmatlve.
The intention of Congress in passing the
Morrill, acts was no doubt TO anord 10
all the citizens of the United states VINO
desire to avail themselves of 1t the op-
nortunity for collegiate training In agrl-
culture and the mechanic arts through
the esta ablishment of colleges In each OF
the states and territories
Had Territorial Government.
AT the time the original act was pass
ed, the District of Columbia. although
not designated as a territory, did have a.
territorial form OF government. and n
that form of government had not been
changed the District would probably
have been recognized a beneficiary OF
the law without any special act OF Con-
greSS.
However that may be, the District OF
Columbia is a political entity. separate
and distinct from any other polftlcal SUD-
division of our country. Its citizens can
not claim citizenship in any other state
or territory while residing here. and there
fore must be denied the benefits of tho
Morrill, acts unless the funds appropriated
therein are expended here.
ssThe right of the District of Columbia,
therefore. as a political unit to share In
the funds provided by the Morrill, acts Is
so clear that it has not been seriously dis
puted. 1t was even conceded by the
most earnest objectors against the present
bill.
to a share of the funds provided by the
Morrill, acts being conceded. the only
question remaining is. through what In
stitution can they be most judiciously
expended? And that question In the 1udg-
ment of your committee is one which con-
Germs only the people of the District and
the Congress in its capacity of legislature
for the District.
'sYour committee recognizes the force
of the argument that public funds should
be expended through a public institution,
and it regrets very much that there Is no
public school of college grade in the Dis
trict of Columbia which might De deSlX-
mated for this purpose.
Intended for Colleges.
But all of the Morrill, acts SO plainly
the establishment and main
tenance Of colleges that your committee
does not feel as II the spirit OF the law
would be met by placing the funds within
the control of the Mckinley Manual
Training School or of any other school
of secondary grade. Unfortunately. there
is no public school OF college grade In
the District of Columbia, and the only
institution prepared to give the instruc-
ton called for under the Morrill, acts and
asking to be designated for the purpose
Is George Washington University.
..The question narrows itself, therefore.
TO the single proposition, Shall the citi-
Eens of the District Of Columbia. although
plainly entitled to the benefits Of tho
Morrill, acts, be denied these benefits untn
a public institution shall be created
which they might be conferred,
or shall they receive such benefits af
once through the instrumentality Of tho
George Washington University?
'If George Washington University wero
4 denominational or sectarlan insttufiont