New-York tribune., 1907-09-16
US. TEACHERS LEADERS
PRAISED BY DIR. BUTLER.
Merit of American Universities Being
Recognized abroad.

DR. Nicholas Murray Butler president Of Colurs-
bia University. who returned on SATURDAY from
tour of the English and German universities, said
last night that he noted with great pleasure while
abroad that Europe was showing large increase
in its appreciation of American scholars and
scholarship This was true he said. in Great Britain.
France and Germany. where the Leading American
scholars and their works were wen AIlo"h anu
frequently quoted
"anerica" said DR. Butler. must give its schol-
ars the prominence which Europe does There are
TO more prominent men in Berlin to-day than
Harnack the theolcgan. and Schneider. the politi-
cal economist This is the mark OF a civilized coIn-
munfty and it is a happy omen that America Is
fast coming 10 see the value Of the countrys
scholars and men Of learning II Is men or tnls
stamp who are needed in the governments anu N
every walk Of public life
As A result Of his study Of the English and Ger
man university systems DR.. Butler is we'll pleased
with the way America is working out the prooisl
of higher education. and 1t Is safe 70 say Id 80
will introduce radical reforms AZ Nol-iNuia-
Indeed. though finding much to admire In tne lor-
eien methods Dr. Butler believes that II there is
anv tendency to copy it is tbs part Of the Old
World educators
In this connection Dr. Butler cited the present
agitation Of the English university reformers who
- .7,.,ca+irg the introduction Of the American
university system Of government IN whole or In
part at oxford and Cambridge There IS az present
a movement on foot. he said. 70 ralse a ne" fond
- to5oO00 for Oxford with the stipulation that the
-, na turned over 70 a specially appointed
tari Of trustees 10 be administered as they may
see fit - 49,.
Dr rut1er said II was difficult 20 compare the
American and foreign universities as WINE uiTI7
was much IN common, every nation created Us own
+,re Of university. For country 70 attempt 70
COW blfndly or bodily the methods Of anotner' hs
thought would be folly.
.I am sure said Dr- Butler, that the grea.
American universities have made no fIndssIelllaA
mistakes in dealing with the important quesIlons
~ ,,r5vereit,- government. The American system
90 eo,-erDrnen+ and administration by a board OF
..e.- I'D a faculty is without doubt the best
o,,e- worked out The problems which American
,,f1erzftfes have 70 face to-day and will nave 70
face in the future are problems Of detail and de-
velopment- ...-- -
There are two great classes OF Nllello1-l 80. -.
,,o-eitfes TODAY These are the non-sovernnenta4,
80, &C Harvard. Yale. Columbia and Princeton
.,1 Tho Governmental such Michigan. Wiscon-
sir etc These two types have far more IN COM
1,or with each other than either has with the
foreign universities Indeed. all American uniyer-
sites are public institutions. wnether OF tH7 so'
ernr1entaI or non-Governnental type
The great German universities. on the o'ner
,-.7s are governed by the Ministry q Education
Now that system would not work out advantage
o,,sr,- here The English system IS one Of Parlia-
r7ertarv legislation. but II is not followed up as
coselv as in Germany. This method, too. would os
bad here
a.. 20 colleges and universities with idea or te-
efra on the part OF the donors 70 assume any au-
thority.
DR. Butler said he expected that Columbia Uni
varz-y, would most successful year one OF
,ba features Of the fall term will be the series OF
I.-as ~ 10 delivered bv the second Kaiser VIII
helm professor Dr. Leonhard dean OF The faculty. OF
law, Of the University Of BresLau. IN Legal The
orfes Underlying the Recent German Social Leg
islation."