The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-26

Replying TO the statement made before
the Senate Committee on Agriculture yes
terday by DR.. Elnora Folkmar that the
George Washington University had loaned
DR.. Charles W. Needham $4,000 on prop
erty which had an assessed valuation OF
$500. the president OF the university last
night said:
.'The facts in this case do not warrant
the statement
in the fall of 1906 the question Of my
compensation as president and professor
in the law school was considered, and
It was agreed that certain free money Of
the university should be invested IN a
house for the president
''The property was selected, the cost
price being 81, 500. This property had to
be changed and repaired, the cost OF such
changes being estimated at $500. Sixteen
thousand dollars was appropriated for the
purchase and refitting OF the house The
property was purchased subject to a mort
gage OF $500, maturing in one year, and
the title was taken by the treasurer Of
the university. who made the contracts
for the repairs
After the work was begun It was dis
covered there was tile sewer under the
house, and that the plumbing could not be
increased on account OF the size OF the
pipes. II was necessary. therefore, 70
take out the old sewer and plumbing
This involved a heavy additional expense.
II was found also that the heating ap-
paratus was defective and inadequate,
he In
stalled. the result being that the repairs
on the house cost much more than had
been estimated. After considering the
matter and the desirability OF some fur
Their improvements to be made, I sold a
small place in the country and offered TO
furnish the university the remainder of
the money needed over the $l6000 TO put
the house in good order.
This was done, and when the mortgage
matured. in 1907, furnished $500 to pay
OF the mortgage, making the total cost
OF the house amount TO about 81. 500 After
this was done It was thought best that
the treasurer should convey the property
10 me to secure the $500 which I had
furnished. and for me 10 give back trust
deed on the property for the $4,000 ad-
vanced by the university. the university
TO have the right TO dispose OF the house
at any time when It desired to do so, and
reimburse itself out Of the sale for the
moneys it had advanced.
Whatever balance was left would go
10 reimburse me for what I had per-
sonally advanced. In the meantime I
have paid the taxes and interest on the
money supplied by the university for the
use OF the house. The interest for the
first year was per cent, but in 1907 it was
reduced TO per cent"
DR.. Harlan Explains.
Rev Or. Richard D. Harlan and DR..
Charles W Needham attended the ses-
sion before the Senate Committee on
Agriculture and Forestry, and the former
answered in detail each OF the criticisms
that have been directed at the institu-
ton since the present agitation began.
He explained the George Washington
University was not a seetarian institu-
ton, and that Congress is not asked to
aid the university by a subsidy, but it
is asked 70 extend the Morrill, act benefits
10 the young people of Washington.
The representatives from the unfver-
sity were not given an opportunity to re-
ply 10 the allegations Of the Profess
sional Women's League because adjourn
ment was taken shortly before noon to
allow the members Of the committee to
attend the session OF the Senate.