The Washington times., 1910-02-27

university presidents made two sighiti-
cant adm issions which have claritled thS
whole situation:
% That the District Itself ought -
once 10 have the benefits or these an
nual appropriations which are now
granted to every State and Territory or
the Union. including Hawaii and Porto
Rico.
90 They were also forced 10 admit
that the choice between creating a new
institution or the designation Of an al
ready existing one to administer this
appropriation, is practical and local
matter, belonging. not 70 the Federai
Congress as representing citizens Of
the several states, but 10 Congress IN
its special capacity as the District Leg
islature-althouEh, on this second point.
these gentlemen from Illinois, Ohio and
Tennessee insisted that II was their
right 10 offer their advice 70 the Dis
trict legislature and even TO make their
protest against the utilization Of any
existing institution, on private founda-
tions.
In other words, these educators out
side Of the District, who know nothing
Of the peculiar conditions here. Insist
that, until Congress s. ready 20 create
a state university or state col
lege for the District OF Columbia, ahso-
Iutelv nothing shall be done by Con-
gress I'm the way of giving the same
aid for these practi al forms OF eduCa-
ton In the District that are now given
to the people Of their own States
Called interference.
It seems to US that this attempt, on
the part Of men outside of the Dis
trict. to instruct 'he Legislature for
the District as 10 how ii must settle
this purely local and financial question
IS a grossly improper interference with
what is not their business. Moreover,
their opposition strikes this community
as being monstrOusly UngenerOus and
even uuiust-ungenerOus because the
young people Of their own States al
ready have these same privileges AT the
expense of the Federal Government,
and unjust because every one here
knows how impossible II would be. az
least for many years 10 come. 10 per
suade Congress 20 20 10 the expense
Of creating q state college tCr me
District. The plan set forth in this bill
is the only feasible one. now in sight,
for utilizing the Morrill, appropriation
But President James thinks that he
knows better than the Legislature OF
the District, ~ to what ought now to
be done IN regard 70 this purely local
and practical question. and ne insists
that Congress must create govern
ment institution.
Now II Congress wishes 20 20 10 that
expense. ali that the George Washington
University has 20 say on that subject
IS that a Ucn-seCtaTian university, on
private foundations, cannot possibly CO.
exist. in Washington. with a Govern
meut university for the District Of Co
lumb4a.
Three Universities.
The two Catholic universities and the
American University under Methodist
auspicesl. would continue TO have their
snecial mission. and could make a sue
cesgful appeal, for funds and students,
90 their respective church constituencies
But the George Washington University,
because Of it's ncn-sectarian character,
rs cOnr eIled 10 appeal for support upon
different grounds. and II Congress. as
the District Legislature. should insist up
on creating a Government institution for
The District. the general public. here
would. OF course. give no money TO the
George Washington University, for the
simple reason that the Government stood
ready 10 meet the exTt nse Of p state
University fOr the District. II, there
fore. the District Legislature should de-
eide 20 follow President James advice.
If could either destroy the George
Washington University by cOmpetins
with fl, or il could take IL over and