Evening star., 1925-11-08
American Educational Center.

DR.. John c. Merriam, president of
the Carnegie Institution, in address
ing the Nassar College alumnae con-
vention here the other evening, said
that Washington stands pre.eminent
in the cities of the country as Il seat
OF learning and educational advance
ment. Time was, not many years ago,
when that statement, though pleasing
TO the ears OF Wa ashingtonians, would
have lacked full verify. Today, how
ever. it is recognized as true by edu-
Gators throughout the country, and
more and more true as time passes.
Washington, indeed, is developing
now with great rapidity in respect to
its educational advantages to students
Of all grades and in all lines.
This does not relate particularly to
the local educational system, superior
though it is, save in respect to equip
ment, a fault which is now being
tardiIy corrected through a wisely
liberal policy Of appropriations. Nor
does II relate particularly to the insti-
tutions of learning located here, excel
lent and progressive as they are.
Washington Is an educational center
Il seat Of learning, mainly in conse-
quence of the presence here of men
and women of scientific and intellect
ual accomplishments, engaged In re-
search as we'll as in teaching. making
this city their place of activity because
of the widely varied Government
works now in progress.
DIR. Merriam in his talk TO the Vas
sar alumnae stated that there are
more investigators and instructors in
the National Capital than in any
other American city. But, he went
on to state, Washington should never
be college town, and is not place
for undergraduate work because OF
the preponderance of highly intel
lectual events constantly occurring
which work to the disadvantage Of
students, who should be surrounded
by an atmosphere of calm and quiet
for the proper and uninterrupted pur-
suit OF their studies. This points to
the true role OF the National Capital
in the educational work Of the coun-
try. 1t is virtually a graduate univer
sity. Students may learn here, may
advance themselves in their studies
and researches without joining
Glasses" without matricuIating in
any institution. They are in the
atmosphere Of progressive thought as
well as Of productive research.
The Government OF the United
States is in itself a school. Its person.
mel has, especially within the past
few decades, come to include people
Of skill and achievement in a wide
variety Of intellectual activities. It's
scientific staffs comprise veritably
the best minds in the country on spe-
cial lines. Though from time to time
it loses some of it's best workers be-
cause it cannot hold them against
competition with its small scale of
pay, it retains to a surprising degree
the loyal services of those to whom
achievement and performance are
sufficient reward regardless of none
tary compensation.
increasingly Washington is attract
ing residents who are bent upon study
and cultural development. In art, in
music. in letters, it offers a rich store
The rate of this progression is grow
ing. 1t is city of comfortable living
conditions. 1t lacks the nervous pulse
of a commercial center. 1t is ideally
suited to the requirements Of the stu
| dent. Exception might be taken to
DR.. Merriam's question as to the fit
ness Of Washington as collegiate
city, for 1t surely is more conducive
to student calm than are many "col-
lege towns that are both seats OF
learning and centers of industry
However, It suffices to note his COM
prehensive and accurate description of
the National Capital as pre-eminently
the American educational center.
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