The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-26

President Edmund J. James, of the Uni
versity OF Illinois. has thrust upon Con-
gress the responsibility Of deciding the
future of higher education in the District
of Columbia, said President Needham, Of
the George Washington University, last
night
1.-The Protestants having conceded the
District should receive the benefits Of the
Morrill, act, it remains only how the
funds should be administered he said.
discussing the speech Of Mr.. James. made
yesterday in behalf OF the National Asso-
citation of State Universities, before the
House Committee on Agriculture.
Whether the equipment Of the George
Washington University with its 5000
alumnae, its 1.4e0 students. and its $780,
600 OF property. shall be availed of. or an
entirely new institution started. with an
initial appropriation. as suggested by
President James. of S5OGooO. remains for
Congress to determine.
THE establishment Of government
university here would mean the death
knen Of the present institution, as the
two cannot exist
University Would Surrender.
While am not making the propos!-
ton or advocating such a step at pres
/ ent, I may say that if Congress shall
decide upon a national university, George
Washington is prepared TO turn over It's
entire equipment to the government with
out reservation or condition, as what we
are conetnding for Is an institution that
will afford the people of this city ade-
lquate educational facilities.
IF we should fail in securing the help
we are seeking. it viii not mean the
closing OF the institution. but the ebsn-
donment of the attempt to maintain 1t as
a university.
The mechanical arts department would
be closed. and the institution would re-
vert TO college status with its law
medical. and collegiate courses.
THE bone Of contention seems to be or
the point Of the power to confer degrees
The other universities desire a nationa
university here for postgraduate studies
but would deny to the local people The
facilities for undergraduate courses.
Il was present at the Senate hearing,
4 he continued, "and recall that in opening
his remarks, Justice Harlan referred f
the many years in which he had beer
associated with the work of the univer
sity. and at the same time copy o.
the university catalogue was filed witt
the committee showing the names o
every one who was connected with it.
Relation of the Universities.
George Washington University is I
inonsectarian institution, and must depend
upon the civic pride Of the people OF tn
District of Columbia for its support, o
receive aid from the government. Tn
other universities in this District are de
nominational. and can draw upon thei
sects throughout the entire country 70
their support In asking an appropria
ton under the terms of the Morrlll acts
We have the precedents of the grant
which have already been made 20 Cor
nell and other universities. The statu
of the two universities. with respect I
the application of the acts in question
present a practical parallel
Indeed, an advantage is to be foun'
for George Washington, in that of tn
! forty trustees at Cornell, ten are ex offici
by reason Of their being State officers
, while Of the twenty-one trustees her
four are under the control of the govern
| ment."
President Needham stated that abou
eighteen months ago he first heard OF tn
proposition for a national university whel
the committee. of which President Jane
was chairman, was In session at tn
! shoreham in this city. DR.. Needham ap
peared before that committee, outline
the charter of the George Washlngto
University and called attention to the or
ganizatlon (which seemed pecul!arl
adapted to bringing about that which tn
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