Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-22
National University
Movement Is Endorsed

40 the Edltor OF me star.
Your recent editorial discussing the
present movement for the establishment
Of Q National University represents quite
fairly the wishes Of those who are
sponsoring 1t.
It is true that they hope for a uni
versity created and conducted by the
National Government. 1t Is true that
they propose a superuniversity with
attendance limited to advanced students
carefully selected for their fitness and
devotion to scholarly interests. It Is
true that they would have an instruc-
tional force selected annually from the
first scholars of America, with q number
from foreign lands, assisted by a body
OF eminent citizens recognized for their
| special attachments. 1t Is true that
while 'this institution would be under
the formal control of the Federal Gov
eminent, 1t would be under the guiding
influence Of the other universities and
learned societies.
Such an institution as is proposed
would inevitably become the center OF
the most advanced cultural forces OF
the Nation, perhaps of the world. And
1t would not interfere in the least with
any other college or university. Indeed
it would give to learning the recog-
milton OF the American people which
1t does not now have, and never can
gain by any other means. AS a result
every educational institution in the
country would feel its benehcent in
fluence. Certainly those in Washington
City would profit greatly by its presence
Any one acquainted with educational
conditions and forces can see that.
Your editorial suggests that the pro-
posed governmental support for this
National University should be trans
ferred to George Washington Univer-
Sity. That Is suggestion deserving of
sympathetic consideration. But the pro-
ponentS of the plan for National Uni
verSity would not be interested in any
institution engaged in undergraduate
work. There is an abundance of such
institutions, excellent ones, now in
operation. There is no reason why the
National Government should engage in
a task, important as it Is, that is being
performed SO efficiently. But there are
the best Of reasons why it should give
the most effective support possible to
an undertaking which will carry the
educational process quite beyond the
point within the reach Of even our
greatest universities.
Chief Of these reasons is the sublime
fact that civilization waits ever on the
scholar. Until the scholar pushes his
pioneering activities farther into the
unknown, civilization must rest where
it is. There is no clearer lesson to be
found in history than this dependence
OF progress upon intellect.
II George Washington University can
be transformed so that it will be capable
OF performing this greatest of tasks, the
plan you propose may be the wisest one.
II 1t cannot be so transformed, then,
with other institutions of similar char
acter, it should be closely associated
with the new National University The
bill now in the hands of the House
committee on education provides for
such federation of existing institutions
when practicable. A careful survey of
local conditions may reveal the pro-
priety of continuing as competent a
university as George Washington I'M
doubleday is, but largely undergraduate,
under some sort of sffiliation with the
National University confined, as it must
be, to research and instruction of the
most advanced type.
Whether it is best to elevate George
Washington University to the rank of
headship Of educational America, or,
instead, to create new institution de-
signed upon the broadest and most
comprehensive lines, is a matter for
subsequent investigation and decision.
But whatever may be that decision
there ought to be no hesitation on the
major issue of great National Uni
versity, the home and workshop of
Americas highest intelligence, the in
spiration Of the Nations noblest ami
billions.
Washington frequently expressed the
hope for a National University which
should transcend existing institutions
which he praised for their manifest
usefulness. His dream is as fitting to-
day as it was when he died in the hope
of its speedy realization. No other
memorial so fitting for the approaching
bicentennial can be devised. But any
university to serve that purpose must
surpass all others, as his devotion to
the public welfare surpassed the de-
votion Of his fellows. And it should
be the gift of the people of America
rather than of fortunate few.
OLIN TEMPLIN.