New-York tribune., 1910-06-20
lFron III. Tribune Bureau ]

Washington June 10
| NOBLE STRUGGLE.-AIthough much
mas recently appeared in print regarding
me Vlctssitudes OF George Washington Uni
Ferslty, there are comparatively few who
really understand the situation in which
tna1 institution Of learning finds itself or
realize the really noble effort which is be-
| ING made by the little band OF men who
| constitute the new board Of trustees TO
pepetueie university which had its be-
ginning nearly century ago-in 1871. 10 be
eHact-Whlch received e broad and liberal
chsrter under Presidents Monroe and John
quincy ADAMS, whose president takes pre-
| ceoence IN all international gatherings Of
university presidents. Of many heads Of
educational institutions Of note and which
mas shown itself TO possess an esprit de
corps, genuine university spirit, which
might well be the envy Of many more
prosperous and more modern colleges The
-dllule 70 understand and appreciate this
situation is largely due 70 the confusion
OF the acts of former boards Of trustees
with those Of the present board: as a re-
suit the blame is attached where none
should be and criticism is visited where
none is deserved. The fight is still on and
II may oe rash TO attempt 10 forecast the
outcome but the prospects OF the institu-
uon are actually brighter than they have
oeen for years, although II is only recently
lh6C II mas been realized how near the
breakers the old institution has been
ERRORS OF THE PAST-The manage
n1ent OF George Washington University has
oeen too ambitious and sadly Ill advised.
Nhether or not II has been absolutely ille-
gal Is a mooted question on which there
is vide divergence OF opinion, but no one
IN possession Of the facts denies that z
part Of the endowment has been expended
for current expenses and that the instit1-
ton is confronted with the necessity OF re-
trenchment; but this doesn't mean that the |
institution is by any means insolvent.
Speaking in round numbers the Corcoran
endowment fund is assumed to have been !
about s56oooo- Because of certain peculiari-
ties Of the endowment. into which it is not
necessary to 90, there is some question as
10 Just what constitutes the sum of the
Corcoren fund. That fund has been de- !
pleted by about $4,000. On the other hand /
the university owns much valuable prop
erty. and II is now proposed. if the eu1er- /
gency cannot otherwise be met 10 sell the |
two largest buildings and their sites, from |
which 1t is expected sseo0on will be real |
lSSo mat Voul0 restore the endowment |
and leave margin 70 begin again the up
building Of the university. II is further es-
timated that after selling the buildings there
will be still left property worth s40o000
However much criticism may be visited
on those responsible for the impairment OF
the endowment and however much that
action may be deserving Of censure, the es-
sential fact of the present situation is that
there is a new board Of trustees that under
its direction q frank and complete state
ment Of the finances Of the university has
been submitted 10 the Attorney General /
and to the public, and that the present
board IS inbued with & determination to
abandon all overambitious schemes. to cut
It's coat according TO its cloth, to employ
Z ho1aely expression. and in all things to
be perfectly square and above board in its
management Of the affairs Of the univer-
sity
PERSONNEL OF NEW BOARD
Among the members Of the new board Of
rustees are many whose names inspire con-
1dence in the national capital and else
where The first of the new trustees TO be
elected was Alpheus H. Snow. long lecturer
-1,e