Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-22
c. v. j. MAY GET
PARKER REQUEST
President Marvin Declines to
Comment, but Friends Cite
Development.

Inc most nOtaDl9 development 10 uaGe
in the progress of George Washington
University from an inconspicuous urban
college to a great national center of
learning, especially equipped for train
eminent and international relations, is
seen by persons close to the university
in the bequeSt of approximately ST.
600 900 in the will of the late Judge.
Edwin B. Parker for the creation of a
graduate school of international affairs
affiliated with some local university.
George washington is not specifically
mentioned in the bequest and Presi-
dent Cloyd H. Marvin today declined
any confirmation Of the report that the
bequest will go to that institution. 1t
was recalled, however, that Judge
Parker for several years before his
death was q trustee of the university
that heNwas deeply interested in the
development of the School Of Govern
ment there provided for by the Supreme
Council. Scottish Rite Masons of the
Southern Jurisdiction, and that he had
for many years been prominent in
Masonry.
George Washington, it was pointed
out by friends of the university, Is the
only logical institution in Washington
with which the proposed graduate school
could be affiliated, especially when the
previous associations OF Judge Parker
are considered.
Masonic Gift Is Cited.
The first step in the present progress
of George Washington toward becoming
a national center for training in the
political sciences came three years ago
when the local university received an
outright gift of 100000 from the
Scottish Rite Masons as a memorial to
George Washington. the Mason" to
fulfill in part the intent expressed in
the will of the first President to estab-
lish at the seat OF Government
national institution to aid in completing
the education of young men in "ah the
branches of polite literature, in arts
and sciences, and in acquiring knoWl-
edge in the principles of politics and
good government"
For this purpose Washington left some
securities, which so dwindled in value
after his death that they became In
adequate for the purpose. 1t was the
idea of the Supreme Council, in which
Judge Parker was known to be deeply
University, already in operation and
with an excellent scholastic standing
despite its many years OF financial
struggle, during which 1t graduated
many of the most prominent figures in
national life, logically could be made
the realization of the intent OF the first
President.
During the presidency of Dr. Marvin
special interest has been taken in suit
ing the curriculum of the various col
leges constituting the university to the
actual needs of the Government service.
For this purpose, in cooperation with
the American Council of Education, job
specifications and records OF usage are
being worked out for the positions in
the Government service which would
ordinarily be filled by college graduates.
Information Is Obtained.
The first step is to find out just what
the Government official does or may be
called upon to do. Then 1t is proposed
to adapt the college training to produce
a man capable of fitting into the posi-
ton. 1t is significant In the present
situation that this work has been CONF
pleted for the State Department.
Records for usage for the foreign
service officer have been drawn up from
information obtained in the department,
checked over and corrected by Amer
lean Ambassadors, Ministers and other
diplomatic officers abroad. and attracted
such favorable attention that they have
been published by the State Depart
ment itself.
George Washington long has been a
training school for men expecting to
enter the diplomatic and consular serv-
ices. Now, for the first time, 1t Is IN
a position to graduate men fitted to
49, ANt
sentatives of the United States without
a long process of preliminary adjusting.
DR.. Marvin himself reported on this
work at the last meeting of the Amer
lean council and 1t is known to be
close to his heart.
The effects of the job specification
work, it was learned at the American
Council on Education Office. resulted IN
a marked improvement in the qualtfica-
tons Of the last group who took the
State Department examinations, many
of whom had received their college
training at George Washington and were
able to proceed towards their goal with
little wasted effort.
Work Would Proceed at Once.
So If the graduate school provided for
by Judge Parker is affiliated with
George Washington, which is believed
to have been the late jurist's intention,
it will be possible to proceed at once on
entirely practical lines. With the prog
ress of the jobs specification work in
other Government departments, the po-
sition of George Washington as the rec
ognized training school for those who
are to fill high executive and profess
sional positions in the Government serv-
ice will become more and more recog-
nized
simultaneously with its progress in
the social and political sciences, George
Washington has made rapid progress
in medical education in the last few
years until its standards now are recog-
nized as among the highest in the Unit
ed States. with a negligible percentage
OF failures among its graduates to pass
State board examinations. This is rap
idly making 1t far more than a local
center of medical education, and great
development in this line also Is ex-
pected in the near future.