Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-28

At meeting of the board of trustees OF
George Washington University he'd yes
terday afternoon DR. Charles. w. Need
ham. president of the university, tender
; ed his resignation from that Office. The
resignation was a complete surprise to
| the board. only three or four members
| having known of Dr. Needhau's inten-
| ton to present it. the letter having been
submitted to them for verbal corrections
and for counsel regarding it.
II. b. F. Macfarland, chairman of the
board Of trustees OF George Washing
ton University, said this morning that
the presentation of the resignation OF
President Needham at the board meet
ing yesterday afternoon was a great sur
prise and shock to its members The
board met yesterday to consider an inn
portant university matter, he explained.
and 'after considerable discussion it was
decided that another meeting should be
held in a couple Of days to act finally
upon it.
After that, decision had been reached.
President Needham announced that he de-
sired to present letter to the board, and
| then proceeded to read his letter of resig-
nation.
Trustees Postpone Action.
1t was such a surprise to the board
members, said Mr.. Macfarland, and such
an important matter. that they at once
decided that il could not be acted upon
at that meeting of the board: and it was
accordingly laid on the table, to be con-
sidered at meeting called especially TO
consider it.
The board members agreed, IN the in
formal discussion that followed the pre-
sentation Of the letter. that they shou d
In any event ask DR.. Needham to remain
at ii helm of the school until the close
of the current academic year.
The board, Mr.. Macfarland said, was
agreed that the letter should receive
earnest consideration. In that connec-
tion Mr.. mcfarland praised the work OF
DR.. Needham in behalf of the university
and expressed regret that the president
should feel IT necessary to retire.
Ia the absence of definite action on the
nothing L can say in behalf of the board.
L can only tell what happened at the
meeting, as L have DONE
Indignant at Intimations.
Individual trustees Of the university to-
day expressed indignation at the sugges-
ton. which has been expressed without
shadow of warrant, that the board forced
the resignation from DR.. Needham with
the idea Of making him a scapegoat for
the troubles in which the institution has
lately become involved.
1t is pointed out that a full statement
in regard to the Corcoran endowment
fund and other financial matters affect
ing the university was made by authority
Of the board Of trus.ees and fled with
the House committee on agriculture
about the middle of March, covering all
the circumstances of the univers. .ty's fis-
cal &C nd ton. While the trust es were
surprised at DR.. Needham's resignation,
they were not surprised by any financial
disclosures.
DIR. Needham said this morning that
there had been no compulsion whatever
in the matter that he had come 20 a
deliberate conclusion, alter considera-
tion of all the conditions. that the
vicious attacks upon him. and upon the
university as represented by him, We're
caused by personal feeling on the part
of others against him. and that he had
decided, for the good Of the university,
that the only course for him to take
was to sever his connection with the
university. for the reasons stated in
his letter. in the hope that this action
on his part would benefit the university
by causing assailants of the university.
who were only enemies of him. TO cease
to be enemies also Of the university.
DR. Needham's letter of resignation
follows:
President Needham's Resignation.
To the Board Of Trustees of the George
Washington University.
Gentlemen: Afte eight years of service
as pres dent offer my resignation of this
high office. This I do from keen sense
of personal loyalty to the institution.
Difficulties have a isen which, in my own
opinion and in the opinion Of some OF my
friends in whom l have the greatest COR
fidenoe, can only be solved by a man COM
ing to this Office who can undertake the
task free from all connection with the
past. 1t therefore becomes my duty TO
make clear the way for the appointment
OF such man. i stated at the time ac-
cepted this position that my task would