The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-04-01
WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE?


District of Columbia. there Is danger
that the real purpose of the movement
will be submerged The big issue,
which all should keep prominently be
fore them. is: What are the needs of
the young men and women of the
District
The Morrill, acts are not intended 20
provide direct assistance 10 any institu-
ton. but to the rising generation Of the
community in which the institution hap
pens to be located They make fixed
appropriations TO the States and Terri
tories. whose respective Legislatures
select the colleges which administer
the funds.
Within two years the appropriation
for each State and Territory viii be
$4,000 per annum, an increasing scale
having been provided few wears ago.
with this figure a. the maximum. The
purpose Of the local movement IS 70 have
the District of Columbia pat on the
same basis as the States and Territories,
that its young people may share equally
with the young people of other com
munities the benefits of law intended
for the good OF each. Because we have
no Legislature. it will be necessary for
Congress to designate the institution
which shall administer the fund here.
There cannot be any good argument
advanced against the theory that the
District should be treated as the States
and Territories are treated under the
Morrill, acts. The only debatable point Is
whether we have here aB educational
institution which meets the require
ments OF those acts. This Is a question
for Congress TO determine. and it Is one
which should not oresen, any great dit
fculties,
Bearing I'm mind that it is the Young
people of the District whose welfare
Is at stake. Congress should examine
carefully the claims Of George Wash
ington University 10 the duty of ad-
miuistering the Morrill, fund i'm this
community. The acts specify that the
channel through which these funds are
expended shall be colleges in which in
struction Is given in subjects relating
| TO agriculture and mechanic arts. It
Is conceded that George Washington
University could qualify under the
/ second subject. and. by an easy and
economical expansion, under the first
also. It already maintains de-
partment devoted To one important
agricultural science. and by adding TWO
other professorships it would he able TO
give the first two years demanded in
the agricultural colleges. and later 1t
could establish the other necessary
branches. If the needs Of the District re-
/ quire them. The officials Of the college
/ pledge themselves to make these addi-
lions if George Washington University
! Is designated as the administrator of
the Morrill, appropriation for the Dis
trict
This should answer the question
whether we have an institution of such
character as TO justify Congress in Civ
ing us the benefits Of the Morrill, funds.
When placed alongside the claims ad-
yanced for the Mckinley Manual Train
ing School it should also dispose of the
idea Of making that institution the ad-
ministrator. Before it could qualify
we would have TO turn 1t into a college,
erect new buildings, perhaps buy a new
site, employ college instructors, and
/ purchase much new equipment. A per
| maucnt investment Of upward Of half
a million dollars would be required.
with an expense for maintenance of
about 100000 per annum. We would
! have To gain the consent of Congress
10 this undertaking, pay half Of its
expense ourselves, and then duplicate
it for DIR negro popUlation-and all
/ for the purpose of getting an annual
appropriation Of $4,000, which would
have to he divided equally between the
/ two institutions.
! Even if we ultima tely desire to crown
our public school system with a college,
/ its establishment viii require a cam
T-,ign Of FIVE or ten years duration,
and in the meantime our young men
and women will be deprived Of ad-
vantages Of which they arc soreIy in
need today.
Let us unite in urging upon Con
grcss the justice Of our claim to the
Morrill, appropriation, the insistent
needs of our young people, and the
recognition of George Washington Uni
versity as the administrator of the
fund for the immediate future. Any
other course viii defeat the very ends
which we are so anxious TO attain.
END OF A PICTURESQUE AND