Evening star., 1928-03-24
TOTAL Of DIPLOMA
MILLS IS SOUGHT
House Members to Deter
mine Number of Schools
Chartered.

The recorder of deeds is to be called
before the judiciary subcommittee OF
the House District committee in an ef-
fort to see how many schools have been
incorporated under the diploma-mill
system. which has become scandalous
in Washington TO such an extent that
protests have been made through the
State Department by other nations. and
poor people in practically every State
in the Union have been duped.
Chairman Mcleod made this an
nouncement today after questioning w.
o. Tufts. chairman of the committee
on education of the Washington Cham
Der of Commerce. which has made a
special study of the diploma mill Sys-
tenn. who told the investigating COM
mittee today that the Chamber OF
Commerce feels keenly the disrepute
that has come. not only on account Of
the abuse in medical practice by issuing
diplomas after the course OF only two
or three days. but also in granting
academic degrees. MFR. Tufts estimated
that there are probably 1000 holders
OF these fake degrees in washington
alone and tens of thousands through
out the world.
0fficials TO Testify.
Mr.. Mcleod also intends TO invite
officials of the Public Health Service
10 testify.
Representative Gilbert OF Kentucky
raised the question as to whether the
provision in the bill requiring degree
issuing institutions 70 operate under
license approved by the Board OF Edu-
cation might not throw too much
authority into the hands of the political
group and thus, he said. make the cure
as bad as the evil sought 20 be corrected,
He called attention that in testimony
at hearings last year IL was stated that
DR.. Ballou and a small group con-
rolled appointments to the Board of
Education and any person before receive
ing appointments had 10 give a pledge
TO vote as he was told.
Ernest W, Porter. operating the
Potomac University. asked that the bill
oe amended 50 as not to afrec, his
school. which the committee was adj
vlSeo carries on correspondence course
in theology
Mr.. Porter explained that his school
prepares persons for the ministry and
stated "that II had awarded 600 degrees
IN the past "a years. principally bachelor
OF theology and few degrees Of doctor
OF divinity, He said that the bachelor of
arts course Is 70 be discontinued.
Mr. Porter told the committee that
Kendrick c. Babcock. who formerly
was specialist in higher education for
the United States Bureau OF Education.
after careful Investigation had In
dorSed his school and told him nriVately
that II was on q par with any university.
In refutation, Mr.. Tufts introduced
letter, which Miss NJ Pearl Mccall. As
SlStant United States Attorney had re-
ceived from Mr., Babcock, stating that
his visit at Potomac University had
been brief and that II seemed q plain
diploma mill, with perhaps enough COR
reSpondence work 10 save its face.
Mr., Porter accused Miss Mccall. who
was not then present, Of trying 10
hinder his school and also charSei the
local Board of Education with having
made many hhelous statements about
his institution,
Explains Object Of Rln.
Mr., TUFTS explained that at the pres
ent time the district attorneys once
Is forced TO make whatever pvosecu-
uonS II does against the diploma mills
on a charge OF using the mails u de-
fraud or obtaining money under false
pretenSeS, lie explained the purpose of
the bill under consideration 70 do away
with this cumbersome and extensive
work by requiring that all institutions
issuing degteeS do So Under license and |
(COntinued on Page q fso,1ne,, ~