Evening star., 1923-12-17
GROUND IS BROKEN
FOR G.W.U. BUILDING
- lO10 I
Epoch in History of U. S.
Education Seen in Con-
struction Project.

construction of the new building of
george Washington University. for
"hich ground was broken TODAY.
marks an epoch in the history of edu-
cation in the United States and ;n
washington, and brings closer To
realization the dream OF Georoe
Washington for great university in
the Capital, speakers declared TODAY
at exercises marking the breaking of
ground at 21st and G streets, where
the new building Is to be erected.
Ground d-breaking exercises and the
actual beginning of construction, f.
j. Henning, assistant secretary OF
labor and chairman of the George
Washington University campaign
committee, said, marks the most i'm
portant occasion in the history OF
President William Mather Lewis de-
clared the university is Interested
not so much in the construction of
building as In human life. and re-
viewed the history of George Wash
ington University, pointing out that
the institution Is scattered over sew
eral blocks in the northwest portion
of the city. Laboratories. chemical
research rooms and classrooms must
be provided, he said. to bring to real
ization the aims of the board of
trustees for a greater institution.
Calls on City to Aid.
All Washington must take an in
terest in the building of the univer-
sity, Claude Owen. president of the
Kiwanis Club, declared. Government
buildings in the Capital, he said: be-
long to Washington, But not to wash
ington alone. They belong also to
to California as to New York. George
Washington University, however, he
added. is the property and the prod
uct of this city, and every resident Of
willing to help to build greater in
stitution. The people of the city, he
said, should back it to their financial
limit.
Mr.. Hanning said responses to the
appeal for financial aid have con-
vinced him that the goal of $1,000, 900
set in the campaign during February
will not only be exceeded. but that he
hoped to see more than s2.o00.000
raised in the campaign. He said
Washington, blessed by nature. Is
faced with an opportunity for build
ing a university here that will stand
as a beacon to the world. and added
that George Washington University is
of the caliber of President Lewis.
Joining of the two. he declared,
should make for the greatest educa-
tional institution in the United States.
Fer rSOnaIly, he dddeQ, ne Will never De
satisfied until the dream of George
Washington is realized and a compre-
hensive George Washington Cniver-
sity, covering many blocks. has been
consummated.
Dig Spadeful of Earth.
President Lewis called the follow
ing persons to the platform and urged
them all TO take a spadeful of ground
marking the beginning of actual con-
struction: John B. Larner, chairman
of the board of trustees; Dean Hodg-
kins of the university; Samuel Her
rick, chairman of the alumni asso-
citation; Mrs. James Carroll Frazier,
John ]. Tigert, United States commits
Sioner of education; Miss Olive Jones
of New York, president of the Ma
tional Educational Association; Maj.
Gen. Anton Stephan, president of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
citation; the three District Commits
sioners and DIR. +. W. Ballou, super
intendent of schools.
The university board of trustees gave
it's approval of building campaign
about a month ago. The contract for
the building was awarded to the Harry
Wardman Company last Tuesday. The
new building was designed by Charles
T. Harris, formerly professor OF archi-
lecture at the university and at pres
ent a member OF the faculty, and Frank
H. Heaton.
During the exercises the student body
of the university, grouped about the
platform on which the speakers stood,
sang university songs. The benediction
was pronounced by Rev. Charles Wood,
pastor of the Church of the Covenant.