Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-05-15

winch will contain collections of
war trophies and relics, documents.
uniforms, guns and souvenirs OF
famous men.
The second floor Is to have
large banquet hall where state BAN
qucts can be held and distinguish
ed statesmen entertained. There
VIII also be reception rooms and a
long row of rooms where patriotic
societies will establish permanent
headquarters. Such organizations
us the Colonial DANES, Sons of
veterans and Daughters of 1912
are 10 make use of these rooms.
ana some societies have already
set aside funds to furnish and
maintain rooms here.
Above, on the third floor, rooms
are to he reserved for each of the
states and territories. to be fur
nished by them and used for stat.
societies. and other state purposes.
Inc fourth floor is arranged in
more offices for patriotic and ma
tional societies.
n Long Felt Need.
me need for this type of public
buildings has long been apparent.
Members or the patriotic societies
come to Washington at times for
conventions, to promote special
legislation. TO consult government
records and to use the fine genoa
logical collection at the library of
congress. But most of the socie-
ties have no headquarters, no spe-
claI place where members can get
information, or hold meetings.
worst Of all, Washington lacks q
suitable auditorium for meetings at
large, important bodies.
IL was because a patriotic
building was needed and because
It seemed to fulfill. In spirit at
least, the almost forgotten desire
expressed in Washington's will,
that the George Washington Me-
mortal took this form.
The first president had a long
cherished dream of a national uni
versity to stimulate high ideals in
the youth of the land. In his last
message to congress he urged that
body to promote Institutions for
the dissemination of learning. In
his will he said he regretted that
American students should go to
other countries to receive higher
learning and foreign ideas at
an unreasonable age when they
should be imbibing the principles
of patriotism. He expressed an
ardent wish that there should be
founded a national university free.
as far as reasonable, from local
attachments and state prejudices,
and he left $4,000 to establish
that university.
The $4,000 bequest myster-
iously disappeared, some say
through failure and reorganiza-
ton of the Potomac company in
which the bonds were invested.
1t has also been said that the
money lapsed back into the es-
tate. Attempts of the treasury
department some years ago to
trace the money were futile. In
vested at compound interest, the
bequest would now amount to
more than $4,000.000. but it has
permanently vanished.
| interpreting WASHINGTON wishes
Congress has at intervals dis
cussed the establishment of a
national university. and the ten
dency now is toward very learn
ed institution for the scientists
and scholars of the country
not exactly Washington's idea
but a school for the scholars is
more needed now than another
| flapper college.
The George Washington Me-
mortal association, started in 1898
has like congress been trying tc
carry out Washington's wish. Il
approaches the matter from an.
other angle. Some years ago il
decided, as congress did, that q
broad view of Washingtons desire
might well be taken. Mrs. IL. f