The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-19
REVIVES WOODBURY. COURSES
COLUMBTA MEN SURPRISED AT
PRESIDENT BUTLER'S MOVE.

When the English Professor Retired II
Wa Announced That His Classr Dom
Work was supernuous-NOw II Ha,
Been Decided to Give 10 TO Another,
An announcement was printed a few
days ago in the Columbia Spectator, the
daily paper at Columbia University, that
Prof. Joel E., Spingarn would offer courses
in comparative literature for u~ndergradu-
ates, beginning with the opening Of the
next academic year in October. This four
line statement has interested some OF
the undergraduates OF the institution and
many of the graduates, because Of its bear
ing on the trouble which led to the resigna-
ton OF Prof. George Edward Woodbury.
from Columbia just about two years ago.
Many OF the alumni feel that the univer-
sity and President Butler are now sanction
ing the plan which was condemned at the
time when Prof. Woodberry was involve
in the controversy with DR.. Butler,
Prof. S~pingarn said yesterday Of his new
courses: "Thi work, while not entirely on
the lines Of that formerly given by Prof.
Woodberry. is approximately the same
thing. l talked over this plan with DR..
Butler, and it has his complete approval.
The courses are designed for undergrad
yates only"
The trouble between Prof. Woodberry
and DIR. Butler began when the latter was
elevated to the presidency Of Columbia.
At that time Prof. Woodbury. had several
courses in comparative literature for under
graduate students. and administered them
with an assistant. DR.. l.. N. Chase, since OF
the department OF English at the University
Of Indiana. The salary OF DR.. Chase was
paid by President Low, who called p rof.
Woodberry from Harvard in 1892. Pr Of.
Woodbury. was very popular with the under
graduates, and was the head OF a society,
known az Kings Crown, which was open
only to students OF comparative literature.
DR.. Butler once accused Prof. Woodberry,
it was understood, OF having organized this
society in order to foster a 'Woodberry
spirit"
DR.. Butler was inaugurated in April,
1901. When the university %reopened in
the fall Prof. Woodbury. was informed
t hat the corporation could not afford to
play the salary OF DR.. Chase. When this
became known several graduates of Column
bia and friends of Prof. Woodbury., not
ably Henry M. Flagler. came forward and
offered to subscribe enough to pay the
salary Of DIR. Chase.
These offers were refused on the ground
{ hat money collected in that way could
not consistently be used. The students
also met and agreed to subscribe money
to maintain Dr.. Chase. This offer was
refused.
At that time the president made public
a statement setting forth the official reason
for Dropping Dr.. Chase. 1t was this:
graduates are unnecessary They parallel
too closely the work already being con-
Quoted in he department Of English. There
is no call for two courses in literature for
undergraduates"
This statement was followed by one
from Prof. Woodbury., which was printed
in the college paper in Mays 1902. 1t re-
ferred to an earlier statement from Prof.
Butler that the income Of t he corporation
did not justify maintaining the tutorship
in comparative literature. Prof. Wood
statement follows:
My friend Mfr. Fla cler has placed in my
hands the correspondence between President
and himself relating to his offer 10
for the tutorshIp in comparative litera-
fure for three years. I greatly regret that
President Butler declined the offer. In his
statement Of April 20. 1902. DR.. Butler said:
Part OF the coat OF maintaining the depart
nent was contributed by Gift in 1901 -o2.
Dut there is no reason TO believe that slmilar
could not be made for l002-o3."
In my statement Of the same date | echoed
his words, saying: Il have partly withdrawn
rom undergraduate instruction, and have
Indicated that / would do so altogether after
year. because the tutorship held by
Mr.. Chase has not been provided for; should
I be pro pided for. the old courses would go
IN as heretofore"
President Butler has shifted his position.
The undergraduates have offered the money.
MIR. Flagler has offered II on a three-fold
and other gentlemen have offered it
o me privately; there is enough money for
his purpose, but il is refused.
The acceptance OF Mr.. Fla gler's offer would
brought the AFFAIR To a happy conclusion, |
provided that the fna nc ial question we're all.
{ would have allowed my old work to 20 on
the students would have been
by the removal OF the cause Of their
complaints: should ha We been delighted. for
had lost all hope OF saving my department.
IL created and safe guarded under President
administration which has been thrown
nto confusion and Is threatened with ex-
melton; the disastrous end would have been
at least, and perhaps avoided, |
or many things may Happen in three years.
The obstacle which President Butler finds
o insuperable liz not in my will. In his state
nent of May 0. 1902, he said; Prof. Wood
work has had and continues to have
he sympathy and cordial support Of the
ntire university" 1t seems 10 me that an
for a practical illustration Of
hnua NJ rlu hap hnnn lngt I