Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-01-06
Consolidate the Medical Schools

VIRGINIA must decide, and that quickly,
whether or not it will make Itself cligi-
he to receive the S4,0o0,0U0 ready to be
placed ut its disposal by the Rockefeller
Foundation for the Advancement of Medical
Education. IL the decision is favorable to
the acceptance of tho endowment fund, then
1t must proceed ut once to amalgamate the
Medical College of Virginia with the medi-
cal department Of tho University of Virginia.
both of which are owned and supported by
the State. Ii the decision is not favorable
TO the amalgamation, or ii 1t continues to
procrastinate III this vitality important mat
ter as II has done for several years, then it
must be content to sink into inconsequence
in the medical world, lose its already enyia-
bic prestige as a center of medical education
and perhaps see city other than it's capital
or seat OF IT'S famed university receive the
Rockefeller millions, wherewith to build IN
an overshadowing medical institution
That is the proposition Virginia faces and
1t must como to n speedy determination as
TO the course it will pursue. 1t is folly for
any one I" say that the Rockefeller fund
can be held intact for Virginia until the
General Assembly meets in 1922, or for any
indefinite time while those in authority who
should have acted decisiyely long ago. CON
nnue to pariey voluminousy and back and
fill and get nowhere. 1t is Il fact known to
at least few people and evident to others
IN tough with the situation that already an
other city plans the capture Of the cndow-
ment lund, and there Is reason to believe
that II the present dilatory methods are con-
snucd in the amalgamation project, those
persons having the awarding os the Rookie
teller millions in hand will look more than
kindly upon its legitimate ambition
Merging OF the two schools has been re-
Garded as desirable in many ways and at
some time inevitable for years. Plans look
ing thereto have bean laid and discussed and
at times the promoters OF the merger have
IN n kc pf,,;fa
ways 1t has been blocked by interests hostile
to the union which would give Virginia one
great dominating medical institution, an in
stitution equal to Johns Hopkins, pride OF
Maryland. or that boosted by any other
State. 1t is certain that the Rockefeller
toundation will not abandon its policy Of re-
fusing to contribute toward the upbuilding
or one Stu;c-owned institution at the ey-
pense of another, and i, is equally certain
that 1t will not divide it's funds between
the two, thus defeating the scientific and
humanitarian purpose i, was created to fur
ther. Rather, it will leave both to their own
pinched resources and look elsewhere for a
beneficiary of its generosity abandoning Vir-
ginia as field for educational advancement
OF. retaining Virginia. il will leave Rich
mona ana charlottesville out of considera-
ton That. indeed would be calamity
mere exists no reasonable opposition TO
the consolidation. certainly none that should
not be subordinated to the one chief aim.
which is TO give Virginia front rank in this
branch of educational and philanthropical
service. The board OF the Medical College
OF virginia is ready and anxious TO take
the necessary steps. Just where the board
OF the university stands is not so certain hut
II any OF its members hesitate because of
pride in that institution. that hesitation
should be swept away by the knowledge that
II means n bigger and better university
with an immeasurably larger field for de-
IplnDmnnf l,oc hao1
ernor Davis call joint meeting of the two
boards in which they may go over the sim
alton carefully and determine fully on a
line of action 1t is a wiso suggestion and
the Governor will have the thanks of tho
state if he accepts It, The General Assem-
p'v conVenes next week, and it IS time some
thing definite were accomplished