Page:A History of the University of Chicago by Thomas Wakefield Goodspeed.djvu/86

 60 A HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO points of the inquiry as most interest you, or upon all of them. For conven- ience will you kindly write each answer on a separate paper, numbering each slip to correspond with question and affix your signature to each? As far as convenient give the grounds of your view in each instance. All answers should be received within thirty days. Hoping for your assistance on this very important matter, I am Yours very truly, F. T. GATES To the Committee of Inquiry on the Proposed Institution of Learning in Chicago: DEAR BRETHREN: The following line of inquiry, together with the explana- tory statements- which precede it, the Executive Committee directs me to sub- mit for your consideration: At its meeting in December last, the Executive Board of the Education Society adopted a series of resolutions strongly advocating the establishment of a "well-equipped institution of learning" in Chicago, and directing the Corresponding Secretary to use "every means in his power" to bring about such a result. Whether the Institution proposed shall be a university, or a college, per- haps ultimately to become a university, the resolutions do not state. On the question of scale of work to be attempted, the Board is not committed. It is necessary, however, to decide at least on the initial scope of the institution to be undertaken, to ascertain its probable cost, to outline a general plan of organization, and to learn as nearly as possible the annual expenditure required to develop the institution as speedily as prudence and economy will admit, to the limits determined upon. The Society must clearly define the character and limits of the enterprise, and outline a method of procedure, in order to enlist the practical interest of patrons. It is in this work that your assistance is invited. We recognize the difficulty of fixing the limits of wise expenditure where there is so much to invite limitless expansion. But the claims of other sections of the country are manifold and pressing. The funds of the denomination available for educational purposes are limited. In considering what the Society may justly undertake for Chicago and the West, due regard must be had for other needy educational interests. The plan to be desired is one which, providing for the strength, efficiency, and perpetuity of the institution, will invite the largest possible local assistance with the least outlay on the part of the Society. Nor ought the Society to undertake anything in the develop- ment of the institution which may be left, with safety and without serious loss, to time and local interest. The judgment of the committee is invited specially to the following particulars: i. What present need there may be, if any, for technical or professional schools in Chicago under Baptist control, and whether the agency of the