Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-06
Howard University Would Like
to Teach Agriculture.
LAND HAS BEEN BOUGHT
Matter of New Department Consid.
cred by Trustees.
PRESIDENT TAFT FAVORS PLAN
Institution in Need of Funds to
Begin Work-Dr. Thirkield
Expresses Views.

Upon Congress depends the establish
ment of an Agricultural College at How
ard University"
This statement was made today by
President Thirkield of Howard University
when he was asked for information in
regard to the report that the university
was preparing to branch out into a new
field Of instruction. He said that while
the board of trustees had recently ac-
quired tract of land to the north of the
university buildings, which, added to it's
present holdings. would make an ideal
site for an agricultural school, the uni
versity was without funds to build an
agricultural department
NO plans have been made and the mat
ter has not been taken up by the board
OF trustees continued President Thir
kield. I'VE must rely upon Congress for
financial aid in such an undertaking. We
believe that the benefits of the Morrill, act
should be extended to the District of CO.
lumba. Howard University fuItills in in
dustrial work and in work in modern
science all requirements of the Morrill,
act. This year the board of trustees of
Howard University voted unanimously to
stand aside and allow George Washington
University to reap the benefits to be de-
rived from the proposed extension of the
Morrill, act to the District of Columbia,
which matter is pending.
No Building Plans.
The report of the proposed establish
ment of a college of agriculture at How
ard University and the formulation Of
any definite plans looking to any early
contamination of such an undertaking
in the near future are premature and
without real foundation in fact. No
plans looking to the erection of buildings
have yet been proposed before the board
of trustees.
board purchased small lot of land lying
north of Clark Hall, for 81 400, which,
with its own holdings belonging to
the original university tract, and small
lot belonging to the government, COM
pletes half block. In my annual report
to the board of trustees, quoted in what
is given as an interview in the report
in morning paper, the urgent need of
a we'll equipped college of agriculture
for the training OF teachers and leaders
and prospective farmers among the col
ored people is mentioned
1.-The plan is not new, as it has been
in the thought of the authorities of
the university as desired possibility
for some years. One of the standing
committees of the board of trustees is
the agricultural committee, consisting
of Cuno Rudolph, president of the
board of Commissioners of the Dis
trict; Judge Henry NJ. Baker. DIR. j. T..
Moorland and William V. Cox. AT one
time instruction was given, and a part
Of the large campus was turned over
to experiments in agriculture.
I'VE are deeply convinced that the
provision fCr the Morrill, bill should
apply to the District of Columbia, Is
it does to the several states and terri
tories, and also to Porto Rico. The
enactment Of such bill has been look
ed forward to by the trustees, and this
is the only hope for the establishment
of an agricultural college, SO much
needed for the definite training of the
leaders among the colored people. IS
per cent Of whom are engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits.