Evening star., 1934-03-04
White HOUSE ASKS
|. A|D0F Academies
Commends American u. for
Establishing School of
Public Affairs.
Pointing to the increased interest

Pointing to the increased interest
shown by the American people in
their Government as lone of the most
salient features of salient year in
our American life," President Roosc-
welt declared yesterday that tine Gov
ernment. in solving problems Of the
Nation, needed practical contacts be-
tween the collegiate and educational
world and the operations of gov
ernment."
The Chief Executive spoke at Amer
ican University exercises in Memorial
Continental Hall, where he received
the honorary degree of doctor of laws.
and witnessed the Inauguration Of
DR.. Joseph M. NJ Gray as chancellor
of the university.
The President commended the uni
versity on establishment OF IT, new
School of Public Affairs, announced
yesterday by the board OF trustees,
and pledged the cooperation Of the
administration.
Two Others Honored.
In addition to awarding an ron
orary degree to the President, the
university conferred similar degrees
upon DR.. Harold Willis Dodus Of
Princeton University and Bishop Will
liam Fraser Mcdowell of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church.
The ceremonies took place before a
distinguished group Of representatives
from many educational institutions
and learned societies. They opened
with a professional march, played by
the Navy Band, Lieut.. Charles Benter
commanding. and the invocation was
by Bishop Mcdowell.
The announcement of the new
School of Public Affairs was made by
David Lawrence, acting for the board
Of trustees. The charge to the chan
cellor-elect was given by Bishop Ed
Episcopal Church. Chancellor Gray
was indicted into office by DR.. Ar
thur C. Christie, president Of the
board of trustees, who presided.
Honorary degrees then were con-
ferred, Dr. Gray delivered his in
augural address, President Roosevelt
spoke, and the benediction was by
Bishop John w. Hamilton, former
chancellor OF the university.
Roosevelt Lauded.
Preident Roosevelt was praised by
Chancellor Gray as the honorary de-
gree was bestowed. as follows:
"Persevering student of public af-
fairs; explorer Of fresh insights and
new directions in our democratic
WAYS; undeterred by the desperate
menace of events; of courage all COM
pact: friend of the forgotten man:
spokesman Of a peoples dreams Of
social good-by authority Of the Con-
gress of the United States. vested in
the trustees Of the American Uni
versity. and by them delegated to me,
I confer upon you the degree OF doc
tor Of laws, honoris cauSa. and admit
you to all the rights, privileges and
honors to that degree appertaining-
Chancellor Gray. in his inaugural
address. outlined the aims and pur-
poses of the university. both in its
graduate and undergraduate fields.
Having in mind principles rather
than rules" he said. reactions to life
rather than collections of data. we
seek to instruct the potential citizen
ship of the changing social order,
first of all. in the contemporary value
of tradition"
The college, he said. would instruct
its subjects in the right processes OF
IT,, -int, u,
of industry. Young people. he added,
also should be taught the right use of
leisure.
Schools Aims Outlined.
Mr.. Lawrence outlined the aims and
purposes Of the new school. saying the
plan is Ito make possible for its own
students as well as the students Of
other institutions a firSt-hand con-
tact with the processes of govern
ment." 1t is contemplated. he ex-
planned, that visiting professors as well
as students shall come to American
University for brief intervals without
interrupting the system of credits for
academic work which are required in
their respective institutions for the
award of degrees.
The text of President Roosevelt's
address follows:
1t is very delightful to be to become
today an alumnus of American Uni
versity. I am honored also in the as
sociation with your new chancellor
which it affords.
1t is a good thing for our Amer
lean life that this university should
be situated in the Capital Of the
country. 1t is good in the opportunity
which it gives to higher education to
come into a more intimate under
standing of the problems of what we
call Government; it is good for Gov
ernment to expand its associations
with the teachers and pupils of a
liberal institution.
1t Is, Of course, natural that I
should take special interest in the
announcement of the creation of a
school of public affairs by American
University. Many articles have been
written, many speeches are being
made which seek to review and to
estimate the history of the United
States during the past year. 1 am
willing to hazard a guess that few
Of these epitomes will stress what to
me stands out as one of the most
salient features of q salient year in