The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-14

Elmer Ellsworth Brown, chancellor OF New York University

who should attend the university could
study with profit. Music and the drama
should have departments in the uni
verslty. and with the Library Of Con-
gress a part of 1t students would find
almost no limit to which they might not
pursue their studies.
las to students, the national univer-
sity would of course be available to
graduates of other universities only.
advanced students who were pursuing
special lines of research. For their
Improvement the national university
should have class rooms and corps OF
specially prepared teachers. 1t could
also promote the migration of students
by furnishing a regular place where a
graduate student might obtain informa-
ton as to the best place in which to
pursue his researches.
zone can ascertain that now by suffi-
cient inquiry but there can be no doubt
that with all the information that a
national university would naturally
gather in performing its functions it
would be the best place for the student
to present his inquiry. Perhaps he
should go to France, or Germany, or
some other country in which the uni
might be located, or perhaps he should
not pursue his researches in a univer-
sty at all. but in some establishment
not connected with an institution of
learning. The national university
would know the best place and so could
inform him.
"Our private universities have found
great advantage in the exchange of
professors with foreign universities
With the multitude OF departments
which would obtain in a national uni
versity opportunities for such exchange
| would be far greater than they can
possibly be to a private institution. and
1t could have the benefit OF instruction
from the most eminent men In the
world. 1t is not impossible that such
visitors would profit by such contact.
nor that our own advanced men would
fail to increase their efficiency by resi-
| dence abroad.
II am not attempting to cover the
whole subject. but only to indicate the
practical value of a national univer-
sity established at Washington. work
ing with the Government and having
the Government laboratories at its dis
posal. From time to time bills have
been introduced in Congress providing
for such an institution and there has
/ been widespread discussion of the sub
| jcct in academic circles.
1T is not an academic idea. nor Is II
a visionary project. Given proper en-
| couragement by an authorization from
Congress, accompanied by an appro'
priatlon. the university could be estab
lished and at work in less than year
1t should have a physical home. pref
erably one that would be permanent
and enough of funds to insure its per
manency and its progress.
There are three ways of establish
ing a home for 1t. One Is to erect
fine. permanent building, surrounded
by sufficient land to afford room 70
growth. Another is to rent building
for the beginning. and still another I,
erect temporary buildings. 1t certainl.
should have definite officers, an organ
lied managing board, the beglnninl
of a faculty and a course OF instruction
along definite lines. 1t should next b
extended by taking in the Government
laboratories. The plant of the univer
; sty should be located in Washington
/. because while 1t would be intended
serve higher education. its immediat
] plan would be to serve completely tn
Y scientific needs OF the Government
: which are now served In fragmen
tary way only"