The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-14
By EDWARD MARSHALL.

T-IFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS
had been given to the cause
for which he argued within
forty-eight hours before the day when
we discussed the great necessity for
the promotion of the higher education
in America and throughout the world,
and President A. Lawrence Lowell,
head of Harvard University, conse-
quently was. in confident mood with
regard to the great drive recently
put under way for money with which
to spread the benefits of university
training. He feels that no youth
whose desire for Il Is real should
be denied If we wish fully 10 develop
our democracy.
And before begin quotation Of the
distinguished educators words / think
II may be well to state that the de-
yelopment of democracy through the
higher education is a problem occupy-'
ing many other minds in Cambridge
and in nearby Boston.
culture for Trade Unionists.
After I had seen President Lowell
I spent an evening with a member of
the Harvard faculty who, almost in
J. dependently of the university, is work.
ing out a plan for furnishing the
higher educational opportunities to
members of trade unions in New
England, as the result of an impulse
originating not In PROFESSIONAL brains
but In those of trade unionists who
wish fuller lives. So, fast upon the
university presidents words, followed
definite evidence of the desire of a
percentage of American workers (and
the idea gains constantly IL slowly
for the very things unprecedented and
intense development of which Presi-
dent Lowell urges on the nations of
the world and especially America
President Lowell talked with me in
an unpretentious room In an unpre-
tentious building in Cambridge. This
room is furnished very simply, is a
bit disorderly, and it would be diff
cult to find figure more democratic
in appearance, despite its obvious dis
tinction, than that of the world ia
nous educator. Just before we met
he had heard about the tremendous
benefaction of which INhave spoken,
but had not learned its details. He
was elated.
Higher Education Not q Luxury.
President Lowell's certainty is I'M
shakable that the guarantee Of democ-
racy's endurance lies in the provision
- Cd
portunities for all who may wish TO
benefit therefrom. He regards the
higher education not as a luxurious
impulse which may be stimulated in
America with safety because of cur
prosperity, not as something especially
desirable for a chosen or self-selectej
few with money or the irresistible
urge toward scholarship, but as an
everyday, week in, week out, impera-
tive necessity of our future national
progress and the advancement of the
world at large. To him 1t is entirely
obvious that that nation which in the
largest measure supplies its people
with the highest training will be The
nation fit for and sure to gain world
leadership to the benefit of it's own
He believes that any man, no matter
what life calling, humble or exalted
he may choose or have thrust on him
will serve that calling better and be
happier and in every sense more use
full If his mind has been developed
stored and disciplined through those
processes which the best intellects o,
the world have devised for the pur.
pose through the long years of intenss
effort which have resulted in the crea.
ton flour present higher educationa
system.
Calls IL society's Obligation.
Refusing to admit that the highe
education should be the privilege o
the few and asserting that 1t should b,
available to all who from it might gail
benefits, he urges on the world such
realization of this fact as will see I,
1t that the higher education is recog
nized as the right of every man an,
woman willing to accept it, yearnini
for 1t and capable of taking advantag
Of 1t, no matter whether the aspirin,
individuals be rich or poor. He 70
CARDS the provision of facilities TO
this as an obligation resting on society
1t is his belief that the best in
terests Of the nation demand full an
generous support for colleges an
universities as imperatively as the,
demand support for public schools
ana he lays the obligation of provid
ing this support at the door of ever,
man and woman who can afford I
help. 1t is interesting to note tina
President Lowell did not suggest I
me Government cooperation In thi
matter, but seemed to pin his faith, s
Tar, at least, as America is concerned
to the sensible. public spirited gen
erosity of American citizenship.
College Men in the War.
From something which he said
gathered that the performances O
college men in the great war Nigh
nave been. perhaps, one of the i'm
mediate stimulants of his genera
contention. Therefore I asked:
did college men In military ser
vice evidence enough developed abilit
by comparison with men who's
training had been less generous [
make of them an object lesson for tn
nation?"
Not only in this country but anon
all the allied nations the experience q
the war;" said President Lowell, IVA
very striking and extremely crafty
ing to those engaged in the promote