The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-08
Prof. Thomas E. Will to Be the
President.
KANSANS INTERESTED.
John w. BreidenthaI and C. 3.
Hoffman on the Board.
Discharged Agricultural College
Professors to Have Places.
Headquarters Are to Be In
Boston.

Thomas E. Will who has been ousted
as president of the state agricultural
college. arrived in Topeka today, re
turning from the Buffalo conference.
AIr. VIII gave to a, Journal reporter the
first information concerning new COL
lege which the conference established.
1t is supposed, though Prof. VIII did
not say so, that he is to be the presl-
Prof. VIII said:
The people assembled at Buffalo
representing all shades of progressive
thought on economic, social and poI1tl-
cal questions recognized fully the neeQ
for an educational institution IN Whlch
the burning issues may be studied IN Jne
light of scientific principles and all SIDES
given a full, fair and courteous hearing
The conference recognized further that
such institutions are rare, If not wholly
wanting, in our educational system
while the recent suppression or free dlS-
cussion in the Kansas state agricultural
college the one institution in which for
the last two years special emphasis has
been laid upon the principle of scientific
freedom, specially in the line of ecOno-
mic and political science, was regarded
most significant. 1t was resolved to
establish a College of Social Science, the
foundation principle of which is a guar
antee of the most absolute liberty of in
vestigatiOn, teaching and publication
Representa- of liberal thought nave
been offered positions in the new col
lege, and Wall Street, the railroads,
corporations, mOnOpOlies and trusts viii
their doctrines to lecture and teach in
this college, thus making sure that both
sides are given the fullest opportunity
The institution will provide the fol-
lowing departments;
First. Teaching, that is class room
work with students who attend the in
stitution.
Second Correspondence. Through
this many who are unable to attend
school or college will find opportunity to
study under the direction of specialists.
Third Extension Sending the lee
turer to the people when the people can
not come to the lecturer has proved
very popular and successful in England
and in many sections of the United
States. This method VIII be employed
by the College Of Social Science.
Fourth. Research. The growth and
Tavages of municipal mOnOpOlies and of
the trusts demand that the facts con-
tions shall be gotten at and put in in
teiligent shape Experts will devote
themselves to this work
Fifth. Publication A plan has been
devised whereby the facts brought to-
gether by the investigators can be
promptly given to millions of readers
through the press.
Professors Ward, Parsons and Bemis,
late of the agricultural college, have
been asked to serve the new institution,
as has alos Prof. John r. Commons,
lately dismissed from Syracuse univers-
dty, New York, because of his unfr1end-
ly attitude toward monOpOlies and
trusts. Prof. Ward Is desired to assist
dn the teaching, correspondence and ex-
tension departments; Prof. Parsons in
the teaching and extension depart
ments; Professors Benis and Commons
dn the department Of research; while
Mr.. Willis J. Abbot. formerly editor
of the Chicago Times, and later editor
of the New York Journal, has been ten
dered the department of publication.
It is expected that Prof Geo D. Her
ron. Rev. w. D. P Bliss, and other So
Cialists of national reputation, will lee
ture under the auspices of the college.
The Headquarters of the college will
be in Boston, although the research and
extension departments VIII neceSSltate
much work elsewhere, while the cores
pOndenCe work will reach the entire
country, as well as foreign countries.
On July 1st an appeal was made to
the conference for funds. The response
was most generous. In the space OF a
few minutes over $4,000 was subscrlb-
ed, John W. Breidenthal pledging So. 900
for Kansas and Mrs. &. 3. Hoffman
subscribing $1,000, while other Kansans
present subscribed 800 each. The use
of the great Peoples Temple in Boston
was donated to the college for one year
free of all charge for rent heating or
lighting. This will be the headquarters
Of the institution
The governing board includes Messrs.
Edwin D. Mead and Geo F. Washburn
of Boston, Mr.. Geo. H. Shibley of New
York, DR.. G. F. Taylor of Philadelphia
and Messrs. c. B. Hoffman and John
w. Breidenthal of Kansas. Mr.. Willis
J. Abbot of New York was also tender
ed a position on the board, although it
is understood he will decline this DO
sition. if he accepts the charge of the
department Of publication President
Will has been offered the presidency of
the new institution, together with the
office of secretary of the governing
board. Whether he VIII accept he was
not prepared to state. since he claims
he is still under contract for two years
IN his present position at the state agri-
cultural college He expressed strong
hopes for the future of the college OF
social science and believed he would
find it's work entirely congeniaL
DR.. c. F. Taylor of 1920 Chestnut
street. Philadelphia, is the treasurer of
the new institution.
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