The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-07-07

I saw to It that, once the question was
| referred to a committee, IL went to
| sleep there.
Other reasons. 1t is true always are
mentioned These include the fact that
| up to the civil war the country was
poor, during the war 1t was too busy
and after the war 1t was still poorer
President Benjamin Harrison at one
time went SO far as to say that he be-
ileVed II the country had had such a
large, nationally maintained university
there never would have been a civil
war. .
None of these reasons are held to
have weight at this tine. A. 81, 600, 900. o0J
Congress has ceased to be a novelty,
colleges and universities have learned
that their greatest field of usefulness
Is in cooperation and not in competi-
ton. The experience of State main
tanned institutions has shown that there
are certain things that they can accom-
plish. that are impossible to sectarian
schools. Most important OF all, the an
nual exodus of thousands OF young
graduates to foreign shores, there to
spend an aggregate Of millions Of dol
lars. points to definite defect in the
American system of education, the alb
sence OF supreme fount Of education
where every want could be satisfied
Furthermore, the experience OF a num-
Der or European nations Is held to have
indicated the right and duty Of a gov
eminent to maintain a superior uniyer-
sity.
Practical Steps Taken.
So. after rs years of talking. those
who are for the project. are not dis
courased- 1t may be significant that
DR.. Thompson. who speaks last Of the
quartet at Chicago. has for his sub
lect: Ways and Means, The Next Steps"
III thompson Is on the legislative COM
mittee OF the Committee of Four Hun
dred Among his educational brethren.
not the least OF DR.. Thompson's abilities
is considered to lie in his faculty for get
ting what he wants out of legislative
bodies. Members Of the Ohio Legisla-
ture. before now, have testified to this
ability.
Whether or not the next Congress- is
to be memortalized for recognition and
an appropriation cannot be stated at
this time DR.. Thompson's paper would
indicate as much. Over and over again
II mas been pointed out that Congress il
In honor bound TO make good the dis
appearance of the sum beoueathed by
George Washington This has been the
oasis or several previous appeals
Inc three other papers to be read at
chicago are more directly in line with
the policy OF the last rs years They
are: The National Association Of State
Universities and the National Univer-
siy." by President James: "A National
University. National Asset: an Instru-
mentality for Advanced Research" by
President Van Hse. and "A National
University as Related to Democracy" by
Prof Baker.
State Tni~erSfties Grow.
The National University is, then. TO-
day as It was 125 years ago, an idea-a
thing to be talked about It has never
reached the dignity Of a charter II does
not nave so much as a paper organiza-
ton The committee Of 400. of which DR..
Hoyt was head. was a volunteer organ
ization. The members OF the National
ucational Association. acting in behalf
OF this idea. are only committee of that
body.
Since ii was first proposed more State
have been founded and made
10 flourish than there were States at the
outset. Private fortunes have endowed
some universities with a wealth which
makes the earlier government proposals
look trivial, Yet these prtncely fortuned
schools ind there are fields Of education
they cannot cover.
There is not to-day q single educator
Of national rank Y no does not confess
tie need and see the possibilities OF a
university: there is not to-day
urged a single valid reason against the
idea: tradition. logic. patriotism, the ex-
perience of other governments urge its
realization: its accomplishment demands
no resources not instantly at the COM
nand of the national government; It does
not want for advocates in high places.
Indeed, there seems to be a surfeit OF
influence in its behalf. and the question
oh -HA
he death of Dr. Hoyt is how long will
he National University remain merely q