New-York tribune., 1919-08-22
Foreign Service
School Backed by
Business Men
J. A. Farrell Heads Move
ment 10 Raise s. 900, 200
Endowment Fund for
Trade Educational Course

James A. Farrell, president Of the
United States Steel Corporation and
chairman OF the National Foreign Trade
Council, has initiated movement 20
raise funds for the establishment of q
school Of foreign service at George
town University, Washington, D. c.,
by heading the subscription list with
donation Of $4,000. 1t is planned to
raise s1,oooo0o among members of the
council. The school will be the first
Of its kind to be endowed by any ma
tionnl or commercial organization Of
business men.
Tho school is tho elimination of tho
policy In support Of commercial educa-
t!on for foreign trade pursued by the
National Foreign Trndo Council since
its inception In lola. 1t will be estab-
lished on broad, nationwide basis Of
sound economic principles and Amer
lean ideals. The curriculum for the
coming year has already been planned.
Japanese, Russian, as we'll as French,
Spanish and Portuguese, are among tho
languages to be taught from tho out
sot. More will bo added to the list as
Americas trade opportunities with
world markets unfold. Besides the Ian
guage group Of studies, there will bc
three other groups, tho economic and
commercial, tho law and political sci-
ence and tho shipping.
Faculty Already Chosen
A faculty of twenty men has been
selected, The location of the school
at Washington affords unusual advan-
tages because Ct the proximity Of MANY
educational and commercial organiza-
tions such as the Pan n-American Union,
Chamber of Commerce Of the United
States, the Congressional Library, tbs
Federal Trade Commission and the
Department of Commerce.
In a letter addressed to the members
of the council, associated organizations
and all individuals interested in the
development of the overseas commerce
of the United States, Mr.. Farrell says:
"From its beginning the council has
not failed to emphasize the need Of
adequate educational preparation for
men going into foreign countries as
commercial representatives Of Amer
can Industries or as consular and diplo-
matte agents of the United States
"The emphasis which this council
has placed on proper education for
foreign trade has constantly been in
dorsed by the National Foreign Trade
conventions, notably at the last gather.
ing in Chicago.
II firmly believe that we have reach ed
the moment for definite action. This
action can be initiated by no body more
appropriately than by the National For
cign Trade Council. Hence, after ma
$S,, 4 I<lt tt,c,. Afo,,
the elements involved, I have decided
to submit the following plan 70 your
serious consideration.
Programme Ia Formulated
CAS- the first essay toward Nlling the
loNg~solt want Of a specialized form Of
commercial education, g. scientific pro-
gramne for systematic ard sustained
training foc foreign service has been
Georgetown University, Washington,
d. c., working in close corporation with
governmental bureaus and practical
business mon.
"a provisional half-year was begun
on February II, 1919, ard closed on
June %, 1919. Twelve members Of the
first class have already been placed in
the foreign service of The governm ent
and with private corporations engaged
in export trade. tor the next session,
which begins October 2, 1919, so many
applicants are already il sight that tie
chief difficulty viii be that OF finding
adequate space.
The overhead expenses Of the school
might readily DC met without wide ap-
peal; but the ultimate purpose for
which it has beon established canuot
be fulfilled on the broad, nation de
basis desirable unless a large endow-
mcnt is provided. Definite provision
must be made Tor the expansion OF the
programme to emphasize to the utmost
sound, liberal, economic principles and
American ideals.
Not less than 100000 will be re-
quirad at the outset as the endowment
necessary for the proper conduct OF {
school conceived on such broad lincs
Already twenty expert instruct tors, each
q specialist in some phase OF govern
ment, commerce or finance, have been
added TO the faculty. For the construc-
ton Of an adequate building which
shall serve both as a fitting home for
the School of Foreign Service and a
centre of foreign trade activities, q
second $5G0,00O will later be required' -
O. K. Davis, secretary Of the National
Foreign Trade Council will receive and
deposit all funds donated for the pur-
pose Of furthering the endowment OF
Che school.