Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-02-10
PROFESSOR HoNEY,s SIDE OF 1T,
"A Review OF she Recent Dimculty In
tho Shemeld Scientific school.

rAOFESSOR AONEY,S SIDE OF HI.
a Review OF the Recent Dimculty In
the Shemeld Scientific school.
A full statement of Professor Honsy's
position and action during the recent con-
troversy In the Sheffield Scientific school has
been prepared. II is as follows:
Much difficulty has been experienced In
the past in the freshman drawing room of
the Sheffield Scientific school on account of
the poor tools brought in for use. Some sets,
Of an inferior quality when new, have been
passed down from class to class, producing
bad work, and Gnevitably) lack Of inter-
est in the study. The subject was taken
vigorously In hand about six years ago by
Mr.. Honey and his assistant DR.. Leighton.
and very marked improvement has been
the result. 1t was not hard to convince the
students that II was for their interest to pur-
chase the best tools which could be found at
moderate price. but those who had tools to
make or to sell were less open to suggestions
or to arguments. In vain were defects point
cd ont, or improvements suggested. The
same Indifference and the same difficulties
year by year frustrated the efforts made by
the instructors who were desirous of advanc-
ing the standard of work. At length the
Refer instrument was found, In conn
parison with otheIs, to possess certain char
acteristics which permitted of the required
improvements, and the manufacturers grad
ually made the desired changes in it's con-
struction. In Mr.. Honey's opinion it-unites
cheapnsss, completeness, compactness and
adaptability to his work In greater degree
than any other instrument in the market.
Plenty of these tools were for sale in the
United States, but In order to render them
more perfect the manufacturer was requested
last year to add an ellipsograph attachment,
heretofore needed by the class. A local
dealer who had always had large trade
amongst the students, and who had in the
past shown more ability and willingness
than others in the city to guarantee and re-
pair tools, ordered O large number of the i'm
proved set. These arrangements were made
In the summer In pursuance of the usual
custom, In order that all might be in readi.
ness for work in January, 1890.
In October Mr.. Honey learned that-a mem
Der of the junior class, whose father was in
terested in the sale of the drawing instru-
ments of Philadelphia firm, was canvassing
the freshman class for orders, and he inn
mediately told this junior that he should re-
quire uniformity of tools and that he made
arrangements to use those Of another manu-
faoturer. ....
After the Thanksgiving recess, according
to custom, q list of tools required for use
was given to each freshman, specifying two
kinds of instruments, the Rieher-sold at Q
low price, and the more expensive Alteneder,
suitable for those who intended to adopt the
profession of engineering. The members Of
the class were recommended to buy of Pau
Roessler in this city, because he guaranteed
the instruments, and had facilities In his
workshop for keeping them in repair.
In the middle Of December Mr.. Honey
learned (s) that the junior before alluded te
was still taking orders for tools; (b) that such
tools we're only ordered, not sold; and e
that they were not yet In the city. The
junior was told that only the Riefer or Al
teneder tools would be accepted, and was ad
vised to countermand his orders for those Of
other makers. An official notice was posted
ON the bulletin board Of the school requiring
each member of the class to provide himself
with the instruments as specified In detail or
the Published list.
in January at the opening of the winter tern
10 became the duty of his assistant, DR.
Leighton, to examine all tools presented fol-
use. About one-fourth of the students had
the required set known as the Standard Ref
Ter; others had the Riefer set used during
the previous year, which had been bought
secondhand from the janitor of the school
others had the Alteneder set, bought from
the junior who represented q Philadelphia
firm OF from other dealers. AL of these wer.
accepted. A large number of those who wef'
not provided with the right instruments ex.
pressed their willingness to substitute the
required tools for those they had bought
which In many cases were to be paid for only
after their approval In the drawing room.
little annoyan was shown by some, but M
manifestations of characterization were mad,
to Mr.. Honey or to DR.. Deighton.
On Saturday, January IL, Mr.. Honey wal
requested to call on the director of the Shelf
field Scientific school, who was in his Office
| with four other members of the governing
board. Mr.. Honey was received with hasty
| words, and with the assumption that som'
serious offenss had been committed, befor,
| he had given spy information a. to the CON
ditions that preceded the complaint made b,
some of the students to the director. From
| the character of the interview he could bu
| draw the inference that the case was pre-
| judged, and it's issue practically decided.
This impression was confirmed on the fol
lowing day. A member of the governing
board was the bearer of q note from thu
director, requesting that the drawing exer
cises be omitted on Monday, January ID
In the course Of Q long conversation thii
gentleman informed Mr.. Honey % to the
"probable" nature Of the board when the
subject should be considered at the regular
meeting ON Monday evening, assigning al
the reason the influence exercised by q mem.
Der Of the board who had already formed hi,
opinion. This remark was made more thar
twenty-four hours before the governing
board had heard any detailed statement o.
Mr.. Honey's attitude in the affair, or of tn,
conditions which had made him adopt I
definite position.
Hearing that the matter had been laid be-
fore the president, Mr.. Honey sent him
condensed account of the circumstances, an6
had conversation with him on the subjec
on Monday morning and, in the evening, a
the invitation Of the director, he met tn,
governing board and explained the situa
ton.
On the morning of January IA he re
celved this letter:
New Haven, January Is, 1890.
My Dear Professor Honey: This governing boar
OF the Sheffield Scientific school has requested m
| TO hand you the following resolution:
Resolved, t. at II has always been contrary to tn
policy Of the governing board Of the Sheffield Bel
supplies OF any kind from any special dealer; tina
II Is the Of this board that Mr. Honey has dis
regarded this principle In good faith, and that tn
board recognizes with approval his efforts ant
those Of Dr. Leighton to raise the standard o
drawing In the school, but that In view of the uni
form practice In such matters, he be requested Il
withdraw his instructions relating to the purchas
OF instruments. With much regard, am your
very truly, TIMOTHY DWIGHT.
Mr.. Honey had distinctly informed tn,
board that he had not required the students
DO. hi Il q