The Washington herald., 1913-11-16
BY W. II. II. PHILLIPS. Phi. ID.

The question of founding a National
University at Washington has been
agitated for more than century. Wash
ington proposed it, chose site. and con-
trIbuted $4,000 in bonds towards its sup
port. Many of the Presidents in their
messages to Congress have urged its es-
Enlistment. Bills have been prepared and
favorably reported by the committees OF
the House and Senate, but lack of time.
want. Of appreciation OF its Importance
and opposition by supposed rival institu-
tions have prevented the passage OF these
bills. One hundred and fifty college presi-
dents and every State superintendent OF
schools but one united in petition for
the establishment OF this university. The
national university committee appointed
sixteen of our most prominent scholars
and statesmen, including the Chief JUS
tice of the Supreme Court, to prepare a
bill which was laid before both Houses
of Congress. The men who man our
State colleges and the highest universities
and the thousands of experts employed
by the government appreciate the ad-
vantages such an institution could oner'
but have had to seek such advantages In
European universities, especially German.
This has been almost a necessity in the
past but it should not be in the future.
Indeed, we should attract students from
all the world. No city offers such in
ducements for a great university as
Washington. The complete, well arranged
libraries, the vast collections in museums
already classified for study, as well as
the many different departments OF In
vestigation established and supported by
the national government would lay the
foundation of a university that would
equal any in the world. and do for our in
Nd
could be done by no foreign school. These
collections and facilities have been esti-
mated equal to an endowment OF 49,
100000. They belong to the United states
and could not be placed at the disposal
of any institution not sugject to the con-
troll of the peoples representatives.
have been somewhat interested in
this enterprise since 1895. but have been
amazed since I came here recently and
examined some of the work being done
under the patronage Of the government
find twenty-five or thirty working
libraries containing 100000 volumes and
pamphlets. ten chemical laboratories
where important investigations are being
pushed and producing results, the
mineralogical. chronological, palacontologi-
cal, botanical, and agricultural collec-
tions. large, and arranged for study. the
United States Fish Commission, the
Museum of Hygiene, the six or more hos
pitfalls, where instruction is given and in
vestigations are made. the fine collection
of nateria medica, the Surgeon Generals
office, the Naval Observatory, one OF the
most complete in the world, and the Elec-
trical Department
The advantages for advanced studies in
law and jurisprudence would be unsur-
passed. for here, in addition to more than
$1,000 volumes of law books and reports,
the scholar would have access to the
works Of the worlds greatest jurists, liv-
ing and dead. Here, too, sits the great
est judicial tribunal OF the world. the
Supreme Court of the United States, be-
sides other courts of general and appel
late jurisdiction, some IF which are al
ways open. To these facilities would I'm
doubtedly be added lectures given by
some of the most eminent lawyers and
judges of the nation.
a I would not omit department for the
study of comparative theology. The ur-
biased study and comparison of the diff
ferent religions of the world would tend
to break down the barriers between peo-
pIe and nations that have kept them
apart and led to strife, contention, and
religious wars. This is the first necessary
step toward the establishment OF one
universal religion, which would promote
The brotherhood of man. 1t would add 20
the strength of our home churches and
aid their great missionary enterprises.
The department would not need advo-
Gates but investigators.
1t has been objected that such an in
stitution could not be conducted free from
political. interference. in answer IL is
only necessary to refer to the Smithsonian
institution, Annapolis, West Point, and
the agricultural colleges established in
all the States. They have done their
-Lsre of work that has given the world