fortunate traditions in education. Don't you think an advisory council of a national university should have not only State representation but also representation of activities in addition to educational activities? For example, I can see that this advisory board could be leavened in a wholesome way by men outside of the professional line of education, when who are skilled by experience in the larger problems of Government activity, such as the consular service, conservation, economics, etc. Further (between us) my contact with university presidents has led me to recognize their political acumen rather than their constructive educational abilities (heresy!). I appreciate, of course, that this section is to meet the wishes of President James and his associates, but I do not think it is a necessary evil. These observations are offered for what they are worth, and you will understand that they are merely a frank statement made in the best possible spirit looking to the success of the movement. I find much enthusiasm for the scheme of training experts but none for the usual postgraduate school. The suggestions made above are crystallizations of a considerable number of conversations with men of affairs-big affairs-as well as with educators. Of course I recognize that any bill must be a compromise. I am afflicted with a troublesome cold and am swamped with work; these have delayed me in getting the minutes of the meeting back to Washington. Sincerely, yours, HERMAN SCHNEIDER, Dean, College of Engineering. I now offer a letter from the president of Swarthmore College, and the president of the National Education Association, the largest assoeiation of educators in the world: NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MY DEAR MR. FESS: I have your letter of Februray 4 inviting me to attend the meeting of the Committee on Education either the evening of the 27th or 28th of this month. These dates overlap two appointments of mine. One is at Richmond, Va., and the other the Swarthmore alumni dinner on the evening of the 28th. It mght possibly be that I could get away from Richmond in time to attend on the 27th, but I can not be sure at this time. If not, I will try to have someone else represent the National Education Associaion. I would be glad to know whether the committee of the National Education Association has been formed. I will myself write the chairman. I suggest that you invite President James, of the University of Illinois, chairman of the State university presidents committee. Very sincerely, yours, Hon. S. D. FESS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. JOSEPH SWAIN. I now offer a letter from the president of one of the distinguished colleges for women in our country: Congressman S. D. FESS, Washington, D. C. SMITH COLLÈGE, Northampton, Mass., February 12, 1914. MY DEAR MR. FESS: I have read over carefully House bill 11749 as well as the statement which you inclosed. I have not the slightest hesitancy in giving my own unqualified approval of the bill. I believe that we ought to have such a national institution. I assume, of course, that it will be open alike to men and women. One As I went over the bill, two questions particularly occurred to me. relates to section 3. I can not see why a student with the degree of B. A. from the recognized universities or colleges would not be in a position to do the sort of work for which the university is organized. The best universities admt as candidates for the degree of doctor of philosophy those who have the bachelor's degree. Of course, if your intention is to rehabilitate the degree of master of arts in America, that is one thing; but for many years the degree of master of arts has meant in some institutions practically nothing except the expiraion of a certain amount of time after receiving the bachelor's degree; and I question the validity of the distinction which you draw between the bachelor's degree and the masters' degree. 28865 No. 2-14- -2 Doubtless you have good reasons for section 4. I do not see exactly why it would not be eminently fitting for our national university to confer academic degrees. You might limit it, if you chose, to the doctor's degree; but institutions like the University of Berlin, to which you refer, confer such degrees. My chief object in writing, however, is not to make these suggestions but to convey to you my very strong hope that this bill may be acted upon favorably by this session of Congress. Believe me, sir, very sincerely yours, M. L. BURTON. This letter is from the Millikin University, in Illinois: Hon. S. D. FESS, DECATUR, ILL., February 9, 1914. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I wish to most heartily indorse House bill 11749, in favor of a national university. No project could more greatly advance the highest interest of this country than the establishment of such an institution. It should have been begun a long time ago, and all true friends of education are anxious for the early beginning of a national university. Please make use of this before the committee. A national university is the one institution which will bind together all the good features of State education as a key in an arch. Truly, yours, GEO. E. FELLOWS. I now offer to the committee a letter from a man who has been prominent in the upbuilding of at least two universities in the South: COLUMBIA, Mo., February 12, 1914. Hon. S. D. FESS, Member of Congress, Washington, D. C. SIR: I beg leave, as one of the plain people, to say to you that I am most heartily in favor of House bill 11749, introduced by you, and to ask you to present this letter of mine at the hearings on the national university projecthearings that are fixed, I am told, for February 27 and 28, 1914. This university should be chiefly, if not solely, for giving graduate instruction, for making researches, and for spreading broadcast among the people the results. It pains me to say that I shall not be able to appear in person at either of these hearings, and therefore beg the privilege of advocating this measure by letter. Argument seems to me unnecessary on a proposition like this. It seems to me in the highest degree wasteful for our Federal Government, with its vast stores and accumulations of material serviceable for higher education, to continue to be without a national university; and in an equal degree negligent to busy itself about minor matters and leave to luck and to State politicians the weightier matters of teaching the people. Perhaps no other civilized nation, except our own, pursues such policies. A great national university would set the pace and fix high the mark, without interfering in any degree with the State universities or the private ones, but would rather prove, in the long run, a godsend to both. I write as a Southern man, educated in the University of Virginia chiefly, who from the age of 25 to 55 helped to build up two of the foremost universities south of Mason and Dixon's line, both of them connected in greater or less measure with their respective States. In one-the Tulane University of Louisiana-I served as dean, while Judge (now Chief Justice) White did noble work as trustee; in the other-the University of Missouri-I was for 17 years president-1891 to 1908. 66 As a warm supporter of President Wilson, I hope to see this measure passed under his administration, placing it, in respect to education, alongside of that of Thomas Jefferson, who longed to be known as father of the University of Virginia," which State, in size and importance, was then almost the whole Nation. But let me not weary you. RICHARD HENRY JESSE. I now offer the short letter from the president of Western Reserve University: CLEVELAND, February 3, 1914. MY DEAR DR. FESS: It was good to have our talk of last Saturday. My interest in its subject is quickened by what I receive from you this day. May the 'bill prosper and come to its desired conclusion. If I can help you in any special way please command me. I am ever yours, Dr. S. D. FESS. CHARLES F. ? The letter I now submit is from the president of Oberlin College. OBERLIN, OHIO, February 2, 1914. Hon. S. D. FESS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR MR. FESS: I believe in the establishment of a national university, and I hope that the project can be pushed through to a successful issue. Very sincerely, yours, HENRY C. KING. I now offer the following letter from the president of the. State University of Texas: Hon. S. D. FESS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. AUSTIN, February 11, 1914. MY DEAR SIR: I have read over with much interest House bill 11749, introduced by you, and now, I understand, under consideration by the Committee on Education. Its provisions seem to me to be thoroughly well considered and calculated to establish in Washington an institution that has long been needed, and that will do much to coordinate in a helpful way the higher educational forces of the Nation as well as to take advance in the interest of science and education of the unsurpassed educational laboratories and workshops to be found in the various departments of the National Government. I am convinced that the national university proposed to be established by the bill will not in anywise interfere with or affect injuriously any public or private institutions of higher learning in the country, but, on the contrary, will supplement their activities helpfully and make important independent contributions to the common cause for which all of them are working. I hope that the bill will be reported favorably by the committee and will become a law in the near future. Should it be helpful to do so, I will be glad to have you present this letter at the hearing of the committee on this bill. Believe me, Very truly, yours, S. E. MEZES, President of the University of Texas. The CHAIRMAN. I wish to read a letter received by me from the chancellor of the University of Georgia, as follows: Hon. DUDLEY M. HUGHES, Washington, D. C. FEBRUARY 4, 1914. DEAR SIR: I understand that in the near future a bill to establish a national university will be before your committee. The Association of Presidents of State Universities indorses this bill. I believe that the university will be very useful. Under its terms only advanced students can be admitted. I do not think it will be a competitor of the State universities. I will be glad if you can approve this bill. DAVID C. BARROW, Chancellor. Of course, you gentlemen understand the high character of that university, the University of Georgia. Mr. DOUGHTON. I notice these letters seem to be in answer to a letter sent by you. I would like to know whether you have addressed any other class of citizens except the heads of universities? Mr. FESS. No; I have not. As I said before, my purpose now is to find whether such an institution as we here propose is generally supported by the educators of the land or not. X HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS SECOND SESSION ON H. R. 11749 A BILL TO CREATE A NATIONAL UNIVERSITY AT THE SEAT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT No. 3 ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF HON. S. D. FESS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE STATE OF OHIO FEBRUARY 17, 1914 WASHINGTON 1914 |