New-York tribune., 1902-05-14
PROF. WOODBERRY REPLIES
HE DECLARES THAT PRESIDENT BUT
LER HAS SHIFTED HIS POSITION.

Professor G. r. Woodberry, of the depart
ment of comparative literature in Columbia
University, yesterday issued a statement in The
Columbia Spectator which is a reply to Presi-
dent Buffers recent statement. Professor
Woodberry declares that President Butler has
shifted his position. The professors statement
follows:
the correspondence between President Butler and
himself relating 10 his offer to pay for the tutor
greatly regret that President Butler declined the
oonBer, IN ms statement or Aprll -! I%7 ne @ sald
contributed by gift in 19Ol-'02 but there is no
be made for 1902 -'O3 In my statement of the same
date echoed his words. saying II have partly
Withdrawn from UNDERGRADUATE instruction and
have indicated that ! would do altogether after
Chase has not been provided for should it be pro-
yided for, the old courses would go on as hereto
The undergraduates have offered the money Mr.
other gentlemen have offered it TO ne privately
There is enough money for this purpose, but II Is
The acceptance of Mr.. Flager's offer would have
brought happy conclusion, provided the financial
work TO go on unimpared the students would have
complaints; | should have been delighted, for I
had lost all hope Of saving my department. as
aadministration which has been thrown into % CON
trous end would have been postponed at least
and perhaps avoided. for many things may happen
The obstacle which President Butler finds In
MdS M = PSt h said a my THAT M pssdT sS
work has had and continues to have the sym
pathy and cordial support Of the entire university
II seems to me that opportunity for practical
illustration OF these words has been lost.
The Spectator in an editorial yesterday took
issue with President Butler on several points
1t said in part;
We cannot read far in the statement OF President
Butler without finding points to which must
take exception. This agitation has been purely
artificial and without basis OF fact" The basis
all Is that Professor Woodberry is wtthdr awng from
a step was immediate and spontaneous. both in
circles here al college and wherever Professor
WoodbeTry is known
The petition Of the students" the president
goes on 10 say. was based upon incorrect as
sumption. II assumed that permanent tutorship
I'm comparative literature has been abolished >"
Now. what the facts? According 10 Professor
Woodberry's statement, President Low assured him
that this tutorshp would be maintained and Presi-
dent Butler acknowledged that after the failure OF
curing OF funds for It's maintenance was doubtful
Moreover, Professor WOodbeVTy tells thar he
Pre- sident said that II might be best to in
- f&1i ~ "tr. Chase that he would not be continued
OF courses possible so whatever the real situation
Il is evident that Professor Woodberry under
STOOD that II was necessary to discontinue the
partment cannot now be altered and the
absence or any assurance OF A change for the bet
ter next year the ignoring OF the offer OF the stu
dents 10 pay Tor the tutorship not reassurng
nor does II read II Professor Woodberry had the
hearty support Of the officers OF the university"
President Butler declined yesterday 10 sneak
about the incident.