New-York tribune., 1907-11-05
FIND CHANCELLOR DAY
REPORTERS TURN HIN UP.
Swrenders Then and Tells His
Vie7cs on President.

A rumor. mysterious IN its origin. went out
through the city yesterday that James R Day.
chancellor of Syracuse University. would be the
offices of the Methodist Book Concern. No. $50
Fifth avenue al o'clock In the afternoon Re-
porters rushed TO confirm this report and sure
enough, at the time and the place there was the
chancellor He utterly at loss TO know how
the news Of his presence leaked cut. However, as
the men OF the press were there. Chancellor Day
generously proceeded TO reply 70 all the questions
hurled at him.
The conversation naturally turned to Mr.. Days
recent criticisms of the President In his relations
to the Industrial developments in this country. and
more specifically to the recent financial crisis. Mr..
Day has written a book. entitled 1.-The Raid on
Prosperity" In which the President comes in for
plenty Of unfavorable criticism.
What do you think OF the administrations rela
tions to the financial crisis?' was the first query,
and Mr.. Day replied
"One OF the most important things with re-
gard TO the relations of the administration TO this
agitation is the fact that the President has really
accomplished reform. He has sent no offender
to prison: he has done nothing to improve any OF
the conditions he has severely arraigned. but he
has simply agtated the country and has filed II
with dstrust and alarm. The peoples time Is now
occupied in a feeling of fear Of the present They
not occupied to-day with the question as TO
how business should be managed. but as TO how
they should save themselves. or course. think
this situation not altogether unfortunate. because
believe the government never should manage pri-
it should be few and limited 1t would be great
disaster to the country the people were led into
condition where there would be such management
Of private business. whether In corporate or In any
+ other form"
! What do you consider President Roosevelts
| radical defect in this connection?'
IT hardly care to characterize the President.
! believe that this financial furry which you have
had here in New York win pass away without
anv serious consequences II the confidence Of the
people has not been so thoroughly disturbed that
the business Of the country is dscredited- We are
raising these crops OF hnanciers in Wall Street
periodically and generally harvest them without
serious consequences. No. know OF no remedy
except immediate return TO the traditional ad-
mnistrative government OF the country, by which
the constituted authorities In their respective de-
partments shall be permitted to carry on the gov
ernment instead of having II centred In one man.
! Have you changed your views regarding the
Standard Oil Company since Judge Lands I'M
posed the big finer"
mo, sir, have not changed my opinion regard
ing the merits OF the Standard Oil Company 1
also want II understood that the Standard OIL
Company has not tried TO form opinion for
me. has 1t tried to revise any opinion might
have held. There seems to be a wrong impress
sion held regarding my relations 10 the Standard
Oil Company. That company never made any sue-
gestlons In fact thought about what have
published; neither has II made any suggestions
about the emission OF anything 1 might have
thought TO put in my writings My most intimate
friend knew more OF the contents OF that book
than you did
After reference to the influences that might
accompany large gifts to universities, Mr. Day
was asked whether he thought there was any men
to the educational freedom In this country.
Il have never cherished any fear" said Mr. Day,
that there would be any menace to the freedom
| OF liberty educational work have never
| experienced the slightest embarrassment in that
! respect during fourteen years at Syracuse Uni
versity. Although large gifts were made. no sug-
gestion ever accompanied or followed them regard
ing the policy OF the institution"
'Are the laws sufficient to deal with corporations
and trust conpanies7''
81 think they worked all right before we had
many OF them think ali confused now"
ChaneeIlor Day was asked about the Presidents
Characterization OF the financial disturbance in New
York the elimination OF few crooks.
''I noticed In his congratulations to Mr.. Cortel'
YOU" said the Chancellor. that the President de-
clared dishonest dealings IN business and specu-
iation were only Incidents OF our countrys real
prosperity. Undoubtedly an inquiry In this direc-
/ ton would produce the same conclusion. But why
| then has the President for a period Of about two
! or three years devoted himself to such earnest
Characterization Of the business OF the country in
fits larger forms corrupt and requiring regua-
tion7 Why In every speech from the caneorakes
| to the dedication of the Mckinley monument, in
! every utterance. has he continually warned US
AGAINST the dangers now threatening from these
great business enterprises II they are only Incl
dental?''
Mr. Day was asked II there any other man
IN public life who would make better President
Of the country than Mr.. Roosevelt. and he said
that his idea OF a for the Presidency would
he a conservative man. such as the men who have
been so recognized in our history While Mr.. Day
said that in his book that Mr.. Bryan was as bad
an agitator along his own lines as Mr. Roosevelt
he nevertheless considered him better govern
ment executive.
grinder the present conditions" said Mr.. Day, IT
would prefer Mr. Bryan TO President Roosevelt. be-
cause I believe that Mr. Bryan could be held IN
check by a Senate Were Mr.. Bryan President the
Senate would exercise its prerogatives. as II mas
not done in the administration OF President Roose
Welt and probably could not do If he were re-
elected and he would act therefore with what ne
would claim to be the Endorsement Of the people
With such an Endorsement one could hardly imagine
what the results would be-
IT believe" he said. that most salutary eiect
of This disturbance will not be In Wall Street, but
in Washington"