Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-27
THE NEW PROFESSIONS.
Win POLITICAL SCIENCE.
BY Frederic J. Haskin.

Since politics plays an important part In
the development Of national prosperity
and thousands Of college men are en-
tering each year on political careers, 1t
has come within the province Of the
American university to provide a training
which will At them for the duties of their
positions. So the study OF political sci
ence has developed along the most prac-
teal lines. It Is only lately that edu-
Gators have reached the conclusion that
the government Of a nation Is q distinct
and important business and that its gov
eminent officers should have as expert
training for their work as is given for
the practice of other professions.
Some comment was caused few weeks
ago by the announcement that Patrick
F. MCGOWAN. a political leader OF New
York city. had equipped political lab
oratory for Columbia University and gen.
erously provided for its maintenance for
two years. While the political laboratory
idea sounded new, its work is not. for
practical politics has been studied in
Columbia University for years. and
tho students in the political science de-
partment are frequently in attendance at
district political meetings and are often
legislature. Mr. McGowan's laboratory is
simply a large room in which are collect
ed public documents OF every kind, news
papers from all parts of the country, in
odicals, together with federal, state and
municipal publications which every stu
dent of politics can use to advantage.
This laboratory will furnish the ma
terial for many lively debates in the &C
tive debating clubs, which belong to the
department Of political science in the uni
versity, and incidentally it will give every
visitor a better comprehension Of the
term political science
N. W. Harris Of Cleveland is stimulat-
ing the interest in modern politics by the
offer Of five
Prizes for Essays prizes of from
on Political Topics. n mol 20 s sc,e,c 20
students for the best essays on modern
political subjects. This offer is open to
all college and university students in In
diana, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and
Michigan. William Jennings Bryan has
given a prize to the University Of Cali
fornia to be awarded to a student in mod
ern political science for the best essay
discussing the opportunities of a free
government
The political science student receives a
complete training In political theories, in
ternadonal relations and the different
forms Of national and municipal govern
ments In the world. Upon this founda-
ton he may build up course suited to
the particular branch of work he desires
to specialize in. IL he desires to start
his political career in his home city he
applies himself to studying the govern-
ment or municipalities, taxation. munich
pal finances and kindred topics. If he
wishes to enter the service Of his state or
the national government there are many
subjects provided for his consideration.
each Of which will give live knowledge
regarding some phase of political work.
AZ ne inclines toward a diplomatic career
he studies methods Of diplomacy, interna-
tional relations and treaty laws.
There are numerous methods Of giving
instruction in political science. The
University Of Chicago has adopted a
novel way Of
PROBLEMS G1ven teaching municipal
to the Students. ,a nu,n1o1 % pr ao
based upon conditions actually existing
are given to the student to be worked out
in lieu Of the ordinary examination. For
cAAulpIc, uc may NC luSlEuClcQ u dTTduSC
a system OF financing the publication Of
the water supply Of a city without ma
terially increasing its taxes. He will be
given an estimate OF the revenues and
expenditures of the city on which to base
his calculation. and he is permitted to use
his text books freely, but he must formu-
late an original plan for solving the
problem.
The political science departments of the
universities are frequently called upon to
assist the federal government. Last year
Prof. Wilcox OF Cornell University was
the originator OF the plan by which the
apportionment Of representatives in Con-
gress will be fixed for the next ten years.
Prof. Wilcox was called into consultation
by Representative Crumpacker and went
to Washington to present his views to
the census committee.
There is q growing tendency on the part
Of the United States government to call
college and
College Heads university
in Diplomatic Posts. ,pto ,bs s Z : Is
matte service. Germans are uniting with
American residents of Berlin in the es-
adjustment OF memorial house to DR..
Andrew White. formerly the president OF
Cornell University. in recognition Of the
value Of his service in promoting friendly
relations between Germany and the
United States during his residence in Ber-
lin as the American ambassador, The
house Is to be used for social purposes
under the auspices Of the church DR..
White attended while residing In Berlin.
DR.. Joseph B. Angel. former president Of
the University of Michigan, was called
into diplomatic service three times. once
an minister to China In 1880, as comm,s-
sioner to negotiate q treaty with csn...
Britain regarding the fisheries oue.,io,
in 1887 and as minister to Turkey n
1897.
Among the diplomats now in service
who left university work to enter diplo-
macy Is Dr.. Maurice F.. Eagan. minister
to Denmark, who was a member OF the
faculty Of the Catholic University Of
America The present minister to France
Robert Bacon, has established a prece-
dent. however, in resigning q diplomatic
appointment to accept a fellowship at
Harvard University.
The injection Of vocationaIism as a part
Of the study Of political science was es-