Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-01-26
PUBLIC AFFAIRS ACADEMY
is DREAM OF LEGISLATOR
Representative Disney Would Establish
School to Train Men and Women
in Government.
BY BLAIR BOLLES.
ROTECTION of American in
stitutions and Government by


financed school has become the major
dream Of a self-made member OF Con-
gress. who began life as kansas
farm boy.
Representative Wesley E. Disney.
Democrat of Oklahoma. seeks in his
pending bill, H. r. 10l05, establish
ment of National Academy Of Public
Affairs, a politicians West Point. to
educate young Americans in admin
strative and diplomatic service, both
In national and international affairs
1T would not seem necessary to
point out the constantly growing need
Of the service of graduates of such
an institution" Disney holds. I'VE
have thought our way out of feudal-
ism, superstition. witchcraft. dueling,
human slavery and many other va
carries of the human mind.
May Think Way Out.
1T is conceivable that we may think
our way out of bigotry, hatred, war
and depression. Even the doubters
would concede that the effort to do
so is worth while-that there is glory
would produce men and women of
broad vision and fine technical train
ing for the purposes of aiding in the
great forward movements that have
overtaken the world.
Thousands would dedicate their
lives to the ideas which the institu-
ton would represent. Imagination
and foresight, coupled with native
ability and broad training and disci-
pline in judgement. initiative, deci-
sion, foresight and expression, would
place the academy and its graduates
high in thoughtful public opinion in
the whole world as we'll as in America.
1T is only just. it is economic good
sense, to have our Government ad-
ministered by group whose efficiency
can match the skill of our Army and
Navy officers"
Criticized by Educators.
The Disney proposal, which as
sumed definite shape last Summer
after its author took note with some
concern Of the growing number of men
trained in administration needed to
run the New Deal emergency agencies,
has received some criticism from edu-
Gators, such as this
"The bill would provide for an in
stitution that would in large measure
duplicate work now being carried on
without any particular cost to the
Government.
In reply to this viewpoint of COL
1ege president, however, Disney said:
mo private institution has ever
reached public notice as have An
napolis and West Point Since no COL
lege in the United States has ever be-
come clearing house for the pro-
duction of administrators for public
government, it is unlikely any will in
the future.
college professors are making an
earnest effort to train youth in po-
litical science, but their outlook is
purely academic. A private institu-
ton will never attain the outstand-
ing position in the field of public af-
fairs that q governmental institution
would"
Provisions of Measure.
The Oklahomans bill in its present
form provides: s
l. Establishment of the academy In
the District of Columbia
2. Granting to its graduates pref
erence right to appointments in civil
affairs, with all retirement rights.
3. Creation of a board of super
visors to consist of the Secretaries of
State, Treasury, Interior, Commerce,
Agriculture and Labor
4. Authority for the board to pro
vide site. appoint officers. faculty,
teachers and members. fix the duties
and compensation thereof, and do all
the other things necessary to estab-
!ish and maintain the said institu-
ton"
S. Free maintenance, living and
tuition for the students; age limits of
II to IS years.
6. Apportionment of appointments
among Representatives q year
from each congressional district), Sen
ators e a year for each from his
6tate) and the President $50 a year at
large and from the District Of Colum-
bia and Puerto Rico).
Z. Authorization of an appropria-
ton of sl0,000,000 to launch the
academy.
Backing for the legislation is ex-
pected from the $4,000 womens groups |
belonging to, the General Federation |
OF Women's Clubs, the Executive Com
mittee of which has voted to study |
the proposal. The president of the
federation is Mrs. Roberta Campbell |
Lawson, q Tulsa (Okla) neighbor of |
Disney, who Thursday night ex-
planned his measure to the Board of |
Directors of the organization, in con-
vention here.
Active in Reform Move.
Both Mrs. Lawson and Mrs. John
L. Whitehurst, chairman of the de-
partment Of education of the Gen.
eral Federation, have taken an active
part in the reform Of governmental
administration in the past.
Il have watched the various ap-
pointments Of persons to places of
responsibility in local. State and
national governments without a
thought as to the qualifications of the
persons" Mrs. Lawson declared in a
radio talk last November.
This condition has bothered me for
years, and I have always felt that if
we could have nationally supported
school where men and women could
be trained to carry on the affairs of
the Government in its many rami-
4ications, we would gradually elimi-
nate the 'spoils system We should
have preparation for service and re-
ward for merit. not simply political
popularity"
Administration Of the British gov
eminent, with colonies and dominions
in every part Of the world, is in the
hands Of q select group Of specialists
educated for the patriotic work Of the
civil service, Disney points out, by spe-
cial training they receive first at the
famous public schools-Eton. Harrow,