The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-25
DISMISSAL OF ROSS
Was Not the Proper Man for
the Place.
SO DIR. JORDAN SAYS
STANFORD PRESIDENT CRIT
CISES COMMITTEES REPORT.

Stanford University, California, Feb.
24.-Dr. David Starr Jordan, president
of the Leland Stanford, jr., university,
discussing the report of the committee
of economics on the dismissal of Pro-
fessor Ross from the university, said:
1.-THE statements of Professors SeIig-
man, Farnam and Gardner are not, as
might be inferred from the newspapers,
the report of an authorized committee
Of the American Economic association.
If we are correctly informed, this body
declined to appoint committee of in
vestigation. These three gentlemen
form a f-cOnstituted committee, or
represent only a minority of this assO-
citation.
THE facts at their disposal were
none other than those already made
public by Professor Ross and his
friends, and the attitude they hold in
regard to these matters is evidently
that of partisans. 1t may be regretted
that they did not see fit to publish the
letters which they obtained from the
president and the committee at Stan
ford The following is the last COM
municatiOn sent by the president, and
states the chief essential facts in the
whole affair:
Office of the President, Leland
Stanford, jr., university, California,
Feb. II, 1901.-PrOfessor Edwin R. A.
SeHgman, Henry W. Farnam, Henry
B. Gardner, Gentlemen: Your letter
of jan 80 is at hand, asking further
information as to the reasons for the
dismissal Of Professor Ross. When
expressed my willingness to answer
further questions, i did not mean to
indicate that l would enter into anv
fgs ecsf1 f4rI
leading to or following Professor Ross
dismissal. Nor do I consider it expedi-
ent or proper to go into a discussion of
extracts from my letters or cOnversa-
tiOns, or of my statements, or alleged
statements, or those OF others, as pub
lished in the newspapers.
Why Ross Had to Go.
e There are, however, certain assur-
anceS which it is within the privilege
of the public to ask, and which it is
my desire to furnish, that the public
may be assisted in forming a judgment
as TO the position of the university
upon important questions. It seems to
me that I shall answer these questions
best by certain plain statements which
involve the important facts concern
ing the position of the university.
. It will be necessary for you to
assume my knowledge of all the facts,
also Lndt the Interpretation herewith
presented is authoritative from the uni
veTsity standpoint.
. F'irst-PrOfessor Ross was not dis
missed on account of his views on ORR
entail immigration nor on account of
his opinions on any economic ques-
lions.
SecOnd-Professor Ross was dis
missed because. in the judgment of the
university authorities, he was not the
proper man for the place he held The
responsibility of the correctness of this
judgment belongs to the university au-
thOrlues, and to them alone
Third-NO ground exists for any
Interpretation of his dismissal reflect
ing on his private character, of which
your letter seems to imply d fear.
-" 'FOurth-The judgment that Pro-
lessor Ross was not the proper man
for the place he held is not incompati-
bic with my appreciation of many good
qualities he possesses, nor with my
wishes or efforts at any time to fur
Their his prospects. I have been neither
ignorant of his professional shOrtcom-
lngs nor inappreciative Of his good
qualities. Of such appreciation Pro
lessor Ross has himself adduced sew
eral expressions from my letters.
. In the hope that you may find in
the above a substantial answer to the
questions involved in your inquiries. ]
remain, very truly yours,
DAVID S JORDAN, President -