The Washington times., 1922-02-26
DEGREES SOLD !
BY HOLLER, SAY.
! D. c. OFFICIALS.
Head of "OrientaI University"
Arrested After Inquiry Into
Its Operations.
ADVERTISED BIG FACULTY
Turned Out Doctors and Min
listers on Short Order for
Cash Payment.

ney Peyton Gordon have brought
out that degrees in medicine or
theology could be obtained from
the Oriental University, 1902 Ore
gon avenue for a small payment
Of cash; that, in fact, any sort
Of a degree could be obtained from
the university" as long as it could
be paid for. And, it was not neces-
sary to study at the university
for the degrees, nor was any con-
sideration given with regard to fit
ness, learning or the ability Of the
student"
Inquiry Causes Arrest.
These facts were uncovered by
Assistant District Attorney Pearl
Mccall prior to the arrest last
Monday of Helmuth p. Holler, al
legged president and corresponding
secretary of the university" on
charges Of using the mails to de-
fraud, 1T was announced yesterday
at Major Gordon's office.
On the heels of the arrest Of
Professor" Holler, also known as
Bishop" Holler, because of his al
legged readiness to hand out de-
a suit Yesterday of Mrs. Myrtle Nc
Master, wife ofs Alexander McMas-
ter, for $4,000 against the uni
versity" president. Mrs. McMas-
ter claims that her pride was in
1ured through her name being used
on the stationery of the "uniVer-
sity" as assistant registrar gen.
eral' Of the institution.
Alleged fraudulent practices OF
the university" have been under
Government investigation for sew
eral weeks. The probe began fol-
lowing a number of inquiries re-
ceived at the State Department and
other agencies of the Government
from representatives of foreign
countries. These inquiries asked as
to the work and the standing Of the
university. The matter was taken
up with District Attorney Gordon.
who ordered a thorough probe of the
institution.
The university" has it's head
quarters at 1902 Oregon avenue
northwest, 1t being organized in
1908, according to Assistant District
Attorney Mccall. The probe in
cluded the manner in which degrees
were awarded. the qualifications
eral character Of the institution and
the type Of men or women of its
faculty.
Many Degrees Awarded.
According to Assistant District
Attorney Mccall. the university"
awarded many degrees to European
men and women-many of whom
never were in Washington, and who
never took up any sort of course
with the institution. 1t was found
that degrees could be obtained
through other than the usual path
Of hard study and the burning Of
tho midnight OIL"
The investigation Of the District
Attorneys office has brought out
that Holler had sent letters, adver-
tisements, bulletins, catalogs and cir
culars broadcast, to the effect that
the Oriental University was a bona
f1de educational institution, duly and
legally chartered under the laws of
the District Of Columbia and had
facilities, organization and experience
necessary to conduct the institution.
Claims Not Justified.
~Dfligent search" said an official
a the District Attorneys office, did
not Justify the claim that the univer-
sity is chartered under the District
laws. Bishop Holler also stated in
his printed matter that the "Univer-
Ety was q world renowned university
and had a course of study upon
which degrees Of various kinds were
conferred upon students" and
others who have had an equivalent
training elsewhere and who had
proven their ability by the writing
Of . thesis. The literature of the
university also contains the state
ment that all degrees conferred by
tho institution were Of great value
by reason of the high standing" of
the Oriental University" and the
care exercised to confer the degrees
upon mono save those who earned
them"
Elm examining these claims II has
been established that no prescribed
course of studies was followed or
mustered by any OF the students"
of the university" and that the de-
grees were granted upon the pay
ment Of a certain sum Of money
without regard to fitness, learning
or ability Of the person receiving
the degree"
The claim advanced by Holler in
his literature that the Oriental Uni.
verslty was looked upon by some as
truly representing American edu-
oational ideas and was the only
pioneer internationalistic university
known in all countries and whose
degrees were sought by highly.edu-
Gated peoples in all countries" Is
also denied by the district attorneys
office.
No Faculty Located.
In his advertisements as to the
faculty OF the university" Holler
states that II was composed of forty.
four resident professors and sixty.
three non.res dent professors in vari-
Gus countries. Scrutinizng this
claim, the District Attorney has
found that the university" has no
patrons, as claimed by Holler; tina.
IL has no faculty, and that there were
no forty four resident nor siXty-three
nonresident examining professors
No foundation, In fact, was found for
the claim that the specialist in higher
education of the United States Blu.
resu OF Education was prepared to
give official information" regarding
the university" The statement
made by Holler i'm circulars sent ou.
through the mails that medicine and
theology were being revolution'zcd
A,, ha n,rfa