Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-09-27
BY ROBT. UNDERWOOD JOHNSON,
Director of the Hall OF Fame. New Yorl
University.

Director Of the hall Of Fame. New York
University.
The selection in October Of new
names for the Hall of Fame Is awaken
ing widespread interest in the press
and among the people. The project
was set on foot in 1900, and therefore
this is the sixth quinquennial election.
AS heretofore. the choices are made
by a college Of electors. consisting of
approximately 100 well known men
and women from every section of the
country-college and university presi-
dents, past or present; historians and
professors of history; jurists, scien-
lists, authors and editors; officials. past
or present, and other persons Of dis
tinction outside these classes.
This year there are 107. the addi-
lions being necessary in order to give
representation to every State, instead
States, and also in order to give a
fairer proportion to certain classes.
For the sole object Of this unique in
stitution is, without prejudice, to pro-
vide the best method Of choosing for
the colonnade at University Heights
the most appropriate and distinguished
names. In a multitude of counselors
thene Is safety, and there has been
little dissent from the choices made.
The electors, who include such COM
manding figures as DR.. Eliot, Senator
Root and Secretary Hughes and the
presidents of nearly all the Universe
ties, approach their work with sin
cere desire to find and approve only
names worthy Of the recognition and
the permanent honor which In the
public interest 1t Is intended to be-
stow. The plan adopted seems to be
the best and it seems to be working
well.
AS the Hall of Fame is likely to
exist for an indefinite period, 1t Is
more important that no unworthy
name should be included than that
some worthy ones should be omitted,
and Of the surprisingly small measure
of criticism Of the selections. most
has been directed to the omissions
rather than the inclusions, for which
on full investigation there will be seen
to be substantial bases in character,
achievement or public service. Nat
urally, after Ave elections all or nearly
all the obviously appropriate person
ages have been chosen, such as Wash
ington. Lincoln. Jefferson. Franklin,
Hamilton, Webster, the chief authors
and others. Now, when the choice
deals with names of less brilliance,
though often of not less worth, the
electors will be likely to give more
weight to the consideration that the
work and influence OF some given per-
son ought to be better known than
they may be to our generation. The
institution, therefore, seems to be en-
tering upon its twilight zone"
Criticism Desired.
There is no secrecy about the pur-
pose or the methods of the Hall of
Fame, and there can be no offense in
any proper criticism Of the results at.
tanned. The more comment and inter.
est awakened by the elections and by
the ceremonies attending the dedica-
ton of tablets and busts, the more in
fluence will the institution have as a
conservative force In American opin-
ion. To serve ones country well. one
must love it; to love 1t, one must be
proud Of It; and one will be the more
proud Of 1t II he is familiar with the
fame Of those who have done most to
make 1t what it is. The Hall Of Fame.
visited as 1t is by tens Of thousands
every year, and already in the focus
of public attention, has become a
breakwater of national defense against
those who would throw away our
great past along with that Of the
world and would begin a new life from
| the chaos of this. 1t thus deserves the
sympathy, not to say the support. of
serious opinion throughout the coun-
try.
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