New-York tribune., 1905-02-16
REBUKE FOR MR.. DEWEY
4CTION By THE REGENTS.
Control of Pri0Gte Business Incom-
patible soith Public Duties.
Tsr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrxE.l

Albany. Feb. 15-The Regents of the Trntver
sity to-day decided by a unanimous vote on a
motion Of Vice-Chancellor st. Clair McTxelwav
"a direct the officers OF the board to communi-
cate to Melvil Dewey. director of the State Ts-
trary, the severe and formal rebuke of the board
FOR the part he took in the Lake Placid Com
rsny. This action was taken after careful
and extended investigation OF the petition to
the Board for the removal OF Mr. Dewey. pre-
sented by Louis Marshall Jacob H. Schifr and
others. on the ground that as president of the
Lake Placid Company he had taken part in
unjust discrimination against Jews. This
charge was investigated by the library commit
zee Of the Regents. which presented its report
to-day
The action Of the Regents was taken after
review OF the facts set forth in the report and
the resolution censuring Mr.. Dewey also car
ries with IL the admoniton that further control
of a private business is incompatible with State
service The formal resolution adopted was as
fellows
Voted that the Board of Regents censures
the publication by an officer of the Education
Department OF the expressions complained of in
the petition, concerning an important class of
people, which also has official representatives
t,nder the board, furnishes large support to the
state and has many youth in the schools
THAT the officers of the board be instructed
.o communicate at once TO Mr.. Dewey the formal
en6 severe rebuke OF the board for this conduct;
mat the board admonishes the director OF the
STATE Library that the further control of pri-
Tare business which continues to be conducted
on such lines is incompatible with the legitimate
requirements OF his position in the service of
the educational interests OF the State Of New
York.
The report of the Library Committee, which
investigated the charges and heard Louis Mar
shall in support of the petition for removal. and
Mr.. Dewey in defence Of himself. is signed by
D- Albert Wander Veer, st. Clair McKelway and
Pliny 7. Sexton, the three Regents constituting
this committee In the main. this report sub
stantiates the charges that Mr.. Dewey controls
TIE Lake Placid Club and that Jews
Guided from il by published regulations, but de-
cisres that it has been established to the salts
faction Of the committee that these regulations
are rot Cue TO any personal prejudice OF Mr..
Dewey. The report of the committee follows:
The Library Committee to which was referred
the petition OF Louis Marshall and others for
the removal of Melvil Dewey, director of the
State Library, on the ground that as president
Of the Lake Placid Company he had partiel-
pated il unjust discrimination against Jtws
a class or race, respectfully reports that lne
fnemoTialists and the director were heapd pg
the committee on Thursday, February ,. As
there has previously been sent to each member
Of the Board Of Regents a copy Of the very full
steRogFa phie report of the proceedings at such
hearings, which included at length the evidence
submitted and the arguments presented by the
respective parties il is thought probable that
the committee shall make recommendation,
but simply report the following findings of facts:
First-Mr. Dewey is president Of the Lake
Placid Company, a corporation doing business
fl the Adrondaclxs, and he and his wife own q
ma 5crity Of both the preferred and the common
stock Of said corporation.
Second-As stated in the memorial OF the petit
TONERS the operations of that company are of
vide extent. covering q multitude of activities,
which are arranged into departments"
Third-The Lake Placid Club is a separate Or
ganization accessory to the Lake Placid Com
pany In the last season it comprised the men,
bers Of I4S families. The organization of the
club is independent Of that of the company. but
they are bound together by agreements made
for their mutual advantage. The company owns
and manages the property, assumes liabilities
and gains any profits which may arise from the
business or from any advance in the values of
made BY the council representing the club. This
10 the club Mr.. Dewey is not a member Of the
council but ordinarily meets with il. The com
pany is under contract TO conform to its regu-
iations as TO admissions and the conduct of the
social affairs OF the club. and Mr.. Dewey is un-
Ger pledge TO recommend no person excluded by
regulations Of the council
FouFth-The Lake Placid Club is open TO all
persons coming within the terms of its reguta-
tons and introduced as therein provided.
Fif1h-The club. rs expressed in its published
regulations. excludes from membership all Jews
''even when OF unusual personal qualihca tions
Sxth-It is established 10 the satisfaction or
the committee that the regulation excluding
Jews is not due to any personal prejudice on the
part Of Mr.. Dewey