Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-06
SUJPER-UNIVERSITY COAL
OF MANY LEADERS HERE
Plan to Utilize Remarkable Educational
Facilities of Capital for Advanced
Studies, Outlined.
BIZ WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.


soul of America Around it should
center all that is best in science,
In learning, in letters and in art.
President Coolidge in his annual
message to Congress.
y the three preceding articles in
this series on Washington as
center of literature, art and sci
4 ence, a striking idea of Washing
ton as a center of learning was
held by every leader interviewed. This
idea was that some definite effort
should be made to utilize the remark
able facilities in Washington for ad-
vanced education.
A great federal university has been
advocated ever since George Washing
ton, in his will, urged it's establish
ment. 1t seems doubtful that such an
institution ever will be created. But
the idea of a apprenticeship, or a
university for postgraduate studies
is gaining ground rapidly and, 1t is
asserted, could be effectuated with.
out overlapping the functions of the
regular universities and colleges.
Right now there exist in Washing
ton all the facilities and much of the
faculty" for establishing a super
university. In the Library of Con-
gre.Ss and the Public Library, in pri-
vate collections and governmental mu-
seumS and bureaus are magnificent
and in some respects unequaled re-
search facilities. BY providing ex-
perts to lecture upon and otherwise
make these resources available to adj
vanced students, the university idea
would become q reality.
Adult Education Concept.
This survey of Washington as a
center of learning, therefore, will con-
Germ itself primarily with the idea Of
adult education, or postgraduate
studies, rather than with the existing
admirable universities, colleges, pub
lie and private schools. 1t goes with
out saying that the better these edu-
cational institutions are made the more
likelihood there is of Washington
achieving the eminence as center
OF learning advocated by the Presi.
dent. Regarding the part the public
schools Will have in this achievement
DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintendent,
says:
THE public school system of Wash
ington should eXemplify to the Ma
ton the best In organization and ad-
ninistration, the best in supervision,
teaching and business management. |
The five-year building program will do
much to increase the efficiency of the |
schools, but other things, such as
adequate salary scales for the entire |
school personnel, must go along |
with it,
The census reports tell of a graft |
flying decrease in illiteracy in Wash |
ington, DR.. Ballou points out. From !
8.6 per cent in 1909 it had fallen to
2.S per cent in 1920. The ideal educa-
tional scenter, of course. is one in !
which there is no illiteracy.
DIR. Tigert Advocates Plan.
Among the enthusiasts for adult
education--by this not meaning neces-
sarily textbook education, but con-
slant absorption after graduation of
ideas and information--is DIR. John
J. Tigert, United States commissioners I
Of education. The multiplicity of sci
entiflc agencies here, the museums.
art collections, national organizations
OF many. kinds and other activities
which are developing new ideas and
conducting researches In varied neidS.
make Washington wonderful center
for advanced study, according to DR..
Tigert.
1.-THE assumption that education is
finished on graduation day." says Dr.
Tigert, has yielded to the conviction
that education is a process that con-
tinues throughout life. More and more
the idea of adult education is engaging
the attention of educators. This does
not mean that adults will be herded
into night schools or part-time day
schools. It does mean that progress
sive adults win continue to acquire
wider knowledge either by direction or
by individual initiative.
Here in Washington the great num-
Der Of fact-flnding agencies, private as
we'll as governmental, with the equip
ment in the form of libraries, labora-
tories apparatus, museums ana the
experts directing them, provide an I'M
rivaled opportunity for adult educa-
ton We should not be content until
we have marshaled under some or
ganization for adults all the facilities
available.
Movement Already Initiated.
Herbert Putnam, librarian of the
Library of Congress, in commenting
upon Washington as literary center
in the first article Of this series, out
lined the steps already taken at the
Library toward establishing a super
university service. Efforts are being
made to induce private citizens to en-
dow chairs" at the Library in various
subjects, the income from the endow-
ments to supplement Government sal.
aries and so enable the Library to en-
ploy distinguished scholars to lecture
there.
1t is pointed out that students pur-
suing advanced studies. especially in
history, sociology and the natural and
physical sciences, already are coming |
here by direction of universities |
throughout the Nation. with the ex-
pectation of getting credits at their /
home universities for the results of
studies in Washington.
The defect in this situation is the |
lack of any central advisory and di
recting agency, which. familiar with
all the resources Of Washington and 4
helping TO coordinate them, would /
be in a position to inform the out
side university faculties what the /
National Capital has to offer and also |
to receive the students accredited, to |
advise them and more or less super |
wise their studies here. This does not |
mean that such an agency would un- |
dertake teaching or assume RESPONSE |
bility for results or give degrees, al |
though In time 1t might do so.
1t IL believed that such an agency |
could be created at O. comparatively |
small expense and develop into a |
national university solely for advanc- |
ed studies, and yet in a way a realiZ |
alton of the ideal George Washington |
had in mind. Perhaps one or more |
wealthy citizens may finance the eff |
fort or ii might be a governmental |
enterprise.
Educational Aids Cited.
in considering the educational side
of Washington from this advanced
viewpoint, many organizations not
ordinarily thought of as having an ed
vocational function may be cited. The
Chamber of Commerce of the United
States, for instance, by exploring all
phases Of economics, constantly de-
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