The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16
HILPRECHT ACCUSRRS ANGRY.
DISGUISED RITH ATTITUDE or
INVESTI6ATING COMMITTEE.

The ASsyriOloEiSt Certain 70 ne ENOne-
rated-DT. Peters Declares He was
Treated OutrAgoOuSlY and HAStens
Back Here-Inquiry Kept secret.
PHILADELPHIA, April IS.-Some sonsa-
tionAl scenes took place to-day behind the
closed doors which shielded the committee
OF trustees Of the University Of Pennsyl-
vania, which IL investigating the charges
against Prof. Herman V. Hnpreoht Of the
department Of Assyriology,
Critics Of the BabyloniAn expert Who had
been called from a distance to give testi-
mony against him left the meeting boiling
over with indignation. While their word
Of honor, given in advance prevented
them from going into details as 20 what
took place at the inquiry, they let II be
known that they we're disguised with the
attitude Of their examiners,
The Rev. John p. Peters OF New York.
who has led in the attacks on Prof. Hill
precht. declared that the treatment be had
received was outrageous.
The meeting was held in the board room
Of the Real Estate Building and the fact that
II was 10 be held did not leak out until the
last minute. Even the Witnesses who were
summoned had been made 70 promise not
70 say anything about Il. Among the
investigators who we're present were Pro-
vost {. c. Harrison, Vice Provost DR., Edgar
F. Smith, Joseph s. Harris, DR.. Robert
Deconte and j. Leverlng ones and samuel
f. Houston.
The witnesses present wers the Rev,
John P. Peters Of New York, Prof j. E
Prince Of Columbia University, Prof. Her
man Ranke, Assistant 70 DR.. Hilprecht;
John Fisher, the architect Of the Baby loniAn
expedition, and DR.. Morris JastroW, Jr,
Of the university.
Prof Hnprecht carried with him the two
clay tablets which have been the pivot In
the controversy The session lasted nearly
three hours. DR.. Peters was the first to
leave, some time before the session was
over. He was visibly angry. he decla red
My treatment has been outrageous. l
might just as well have stayed IN New York.
They have made no effort 70 get AZ the TRUTH
but have merely brought up lot OF legal
DR.. Peters left Immediately for his home,
and il was impossible 10 induce him 10 20
into further details IL was learned, how
ever, that his Indignation was due TO the
line Of Q estioning adopted by Mr.. Jones.
The latter, instead Of taking up Dr. Peters
charges, cross-questioned him as 90 his
knowledge Of ssynology and his night to
pose as an expert. DR.. Peters became
particularly indignant when DR.. Jones
tried 10 make him admit that Hilprecht
had taught him all he knew about AssyH-
ology.
Dr Ranke was another who was not
satisfied at the result Of his experience IN the
committee room. He asked to be allowed
70 place his testimony in writing as his
know ledge Of English was too limited to
make himself thoroughly Understood under
verbal cross examination. This request
was dsuinH and RAnkes friends assert that
be was pIt TO a great disadvantage.
subsequent meeting was held at the
Office Of j. Lowering Jones and tonight II
was said that DR.. Hlprecht had entertained
some Of the committeeman at his house
II is now certain that the committee will
find for Hilprecht.