UNIVERSITY AND STATE.

It is the growing conception of the times that a university should serve the community not alone as an educational institution but by direct co-operation with the State. The importance of this newer conception of the university's position is most strikingly seen in those Western states where the so-called "Wisconsin idea" has been definitely applied. With the constant trend towards "state socialism," the necessity for such expert advice as a university alone can adequately supply grows ever greater. Concrete expression of this sentiment was given in the submission of a bill to Congress during the past winter for the establishment of a National University. While government support possesses many definite advantages, institutions entirely free from government control and possible partisan influences secure distinct benefits attainable in no other way.

That Harvard in the past has not been behindhand in her service to the community is too well known to need further comment. But at the same time such service may well be both increased and better organized in such a way as to be given at less sacrifice to the University itself. In this connection the recent proposal of the Technology Alumni Council for the establishment of a "bureau for furnishing without substantial expense such technical information and advice as the State and the public may require" is of the greatest interest. Not only is the plan of great concern to Harvard through the pending growth of the "joint faculty" with Technology, but it is a suggestion thought with illimitable possibilities for Harvard herself.