Evening star., 1914-02-15
Need of the University.

NoiuneS nave oeen written on the neeu
ard suggested scope Of national uni
vers'ity at Washington. The document
rooms OF the House and Senate contain
great quantities of speeches and reports
from Senate and House committees on
the subject. and the names OF the men
who have appeared before congressional
committees on this big project would be
a roll of the foremost educators and
statesmen OF their times, Various forms
OF bills for a national university have
been before Congress. The present bill
is best explained in a statement by its
author, Representative Fess of Ohio:
The purpose is to promote the ad-
vance of science. pure and applied. and
of the liberal and fine arts by original
investigation and research. and such 9TH
er means may appear suitable to
the purpose in view.
furthermore, to train men and women
for posts OF responsibility in the public
and private service of the state and ma
zion: also to cooperate with the scientific
departments OF the federal government,
and with the various colleges and uni
versities, public and private, throughout
the country. This last is one of the
most important purposes.
1T is TO be graduate institution. Stu
dents will not be admitted until they have
obtained the degree of bachelor of arts
or science at some reputable college in
this or other countries full equiv
alent training.
Control of Institution.
Tine ultimate authority in the govern
| nlent Of the institution is vested in a
board of trustees appointed by the Presi-
dent of the United States. but this board
must consult and consider the counsel
and advice of a national advisory coun-
Gil, consisting of one representative from
each state in the union, this representa-
tive to be the president of the state uni
yersity wherever one exists; and in those
states where no such institution exists,
a person to be appointed by the governor
OF the state
The scope of the work of the uni
versity will no. interfere with any other
| institution of higher learning. as 1t can
not duplicate such work. 1t is not to be
an additional university similar to those
already established. Such an institution
| is both unnecessary and undesirable. The
national university is to be the climax of
American educational structure. begin
ming with the kindergarten and ending in
this conSumInation 1t is the virtual az
semblinS of the countrys richest material
found in this greatest center of scientific
activity of the world by opening to it the
research graduates under the direction Of
the finest group of experts in the world -
Forced to Go Abroad.
In explanation Of this statement, MI
| Fess told the committee on education:
when we find anywhere in the United
| States an unusually brilliant person who
| has great promise and yet no place in
| America for him to go to continue his
| original research, which fact compels him
! to go to Europe or else cease his inves-
legations we should be able to provide
| that place here. Why should not the dis
| covery of an antidote for cancer be made
here in Washington? Or why should we
not learn how to defeat the white plague
| here"
| Many persons have been bewildered by
| facts In the case for national univer-
| sity, when it is realized nothing has been
accomplished after a century and quar-
| ter of effort by men of the highest stand
| ing i'll the country. The idea was urged
| by Washington. seconded by at least ten
| of his successors; supported by at least
| half a dozen justices of the Supreme
| Court. including Chief Justices Raw, Rut-
| ledge, Marshall and Chase: formally rec
| commended by at least twenty cabinet
| ministers: given formal support by heads
| of the army and navy: has the advocacy
of former heads of colleges and universe
| Ties TO the extent of at least 400: unani-
nous Endorsement of the scholars and
learned associations of the country: ad-
| Vocacy by the leading clergymen Of the
| country: of the public school men and
| women; the warm support several times
! of the Senate as a BODY