The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-20
He Has Been Offered the Presi-
denCy Of the Berkeley
College.
Palo Alto Suits Him Just Now. He Says,
and He Does Not Feel Like
Leaving It,

Can President Jordan be persuaded to
forsake Palo Alto for Berkeley is the
most prominent question now agttating
academic circles. The place has been Of
fered to him, he will not say by whom,
but it is rumored 1t was at the instance
of Regent Wallace, and there are many
regents who believe the Stanford man
could have the place did he wish to take
II. DR.. Jordan denies that he applied
for the place or that he wants 1t. He
was interviewed last night and spoke
freely, not only of his own reported can
didacy but also of other candidates who
had appeared in the field
There has been no official suggestion
of any kind he said, lit was simply a
tentative talk. 1 appreciate the impor-
tance of the position but prefer the one
] now hold to any other that is possible.
THE best work that is possible can be
done right here. Last year declined TO
receive the position that l thought the
most attractive in this country, the direc-
torship of the National Museum. That
declination emphasized my determine
ton TO stay with Stanford University as
long as l was worth anything to the in
stitution. We have had a hard strug-
gle here, but now that the struggle is about
over, 1t emphasizes the idea OF my stay
ing. We are practically through our
serious difficulties.
81 think the gift of Miss Flood was a
generous SlII lllQeeu, anu i nope IL Will
be the beginning of many such gifts to
both Institutions The State and private
gifts have made both institutions great,
but it remains to private generosity to
bring them both to higher point Every
aid given to either university is an aid
that counts for the future development
of California more than dollar spent in
any other way.
mo Institution is ever so rich or so
strong that it could not be made better
with more money. And so both uniyer-
t,1l
Gus gifts as that of Miss Flood, and even
smaller gifts will help in their degree.
THE rich people of California for the
most part have not realized the pleasure
of giving to universities. l recognize the
vital Importance to the State of bringing
the right man to Berkeley, and we of
Stanford are scarcely less interested in
seeing the right man elected than the
outside public can be.
Our relations with President Kellogg
have been all these seven years most
friendly, and we have learned to value
his sterling good sense and devoted life.
There is in the faculty at Berkeley more
than one man who would do honor as
president TO any institution in the coun>
try, and some Of the Eastern men whose
names have been mentioned in this con-
nection would certainly be of great addi-
ton to the intellectual strength of the
coast. Roosevelt could probably not be
drawn away from his political oppor-
tunities. l know him personally as a man
OF charming character, tremendous en-
ergy, and the habit of making everything
he touches move. If he agreed to take
up work of this kind he would not make
a failure of 1t, for even his mistakes are
those OF enthusiasm and vigor, and some
how turn out to be successes In the end.
DIR Albert Shaw, editor of the Re-
view of Reviews, is perhaps our highest
authority on municipal government, and
is man of delightful character fine
scholarship and great practical expert
ence. While his career has been largely
that of an editor he is also a student
and has large familiarity with university
methods and affairs. He is a man of
the kind that California needs.
DIR. Edward ]. James of Chicago Uni
versity is singularly energetic and Wig
orous man, hustler in educational mat
tiers. His executive ability is remarkable
and he is one of our highest authorities
on economics, especially of those of prac-
teal administration.
College at Galesburg, H., is one of the
most successful of the college presidents.
He is a brilliant scholar particularly
strong in social and economic lines. with
g fine literary gift and has the pec,,I,ar iit
valuable quality of lovable personality
This has made him the ideal of the stu
dent and alumni of Knox College and
would be a valuable quality in president
of a large institution.
Something the same may be said of DR..
William d. Hyde. president of Bowdoin
lege presidents and one of the most sue
cessful. He has the, reputation of being
ONE VI brilliant scholars along
the line Of philosophical and social ques-
tons.
II see reference to the possible candi-
dacy of Professor William James of Har-
ward. He is personally a most delightful
man, charming writer and one of our
best authorities on philosophical Ques-
lions have never thought of him in
connection with executive work, but he is
the kind of man who would not fail in
what he might undertake. His character
istics OF mind and heart would make him