The San Francisco call., 1907-06-02
GERMAN SCHOLARS WAR
ROCKS CAMPUS AGAIN
Martin Centner Hurls Ugly
Charges at Schilling, Who
Deposed Him
ISSUES A STATEMENT
Says Friendship for Putzker
Was the Cause of
Anirnosity
ISSUES A STATEMENT

Anirnosity
BERKELEY, June Professor Mar
tin Centner, whose controversy with
Professor Hugo x. Schilling, head of
| the German department of the univer-
sity. eliminated recently in the latter's
Iaiiure to recommend Centner for reap
| po1ntment by the regents, issued a long
statement today describing conditions
which. he alleged, have been prevailing
| at the university and were responsible
| for his dismissal from the institution.
Centner has served the university for
10 years as an instructor In German.
| His school year expired last month and
| he then quit the campus
| The attack on Professor Schilling is
in language so pointed and personal
! that 1T has created sensation in uni
versity circles. The head of the de-
partment is accused of having deter
mined upon his subordinate's downfall
after the latter had sided with Profess
sor Putzker during the famous feud
between Schilling and Putzker, which
| so nightly agitated the German soci-
| cites Of the state a year or more ago
and was finally carried to the board of
| regents
Professor centner's statement. made
over his own signature. is in part as
follows:
TELLS OF HIS RECORD
Il believe believe that the time has come for clear
reasons why was not reappointed as member
OF the faculty Of the University Of California.
IN the Of Nsdi California and dung
Ing this time hundreds OF young and women
attended att my classes Most Of them now in
this state, ministers, physicians. lawyers, busi-
eral are members Of the faculty Of this univer- YER
m OH epof4 4%x,Ssox L.
work and my attitude toward them from from the
OF them read these lines, they will justify me
and my actions. Those of my students who are
tber onnon ts the nj have
to the president andf the board OF regents and
rejected by them. because they tthe regents)
true state OF my case
take this opportunity to thank my students
and to assure them that shall always remember
them with love and affection.
FACULTY IS AFRAID
The members of the faculty of the university
with whom it was my pleasure to become ac-
the state Of Affairs to look for an Explanation Ian Me
from me, l thank them sincerely for their good
VII @ and -. friendship and the many expressions
90 not blame them for not expressing them
selves publicly. because know too well that
would only hurt themselves without being able
to aid me in the least.
Instructors are appointed from year to year
appointment. but 1t is contrary to the traditions
Of ,n the university and to the most elemental in
structor at the end of 10 years faithful service
without good and justifable reasons
1t has been stated in the public press that I
was cropped from the teaching force OF the uni
versity for the reason that my presence was not
partnent In answer to this statement repest ee
what told President Wheeler and Professor
prove to the satisfaction Of any fair minded u and
well Informed citizen Of this state that during
| university have been guilty of a single act Of
disobedience or insubordination.
REFUSED TO OBEY
| acknowledge that In one case 1 refused to
obey Professor Schilling
The circumstances were the following: GER
from the east by President Wheeler and ap-
pointed instructor of German on the recommends
Schilling) was still in the east, was dismissed
Tor personal reasons-after teaching German for
three years he was given Recommendation
when he left When he had left Professor sassor
schilling stated repeatedly In the department
teacher He asked us. the Instructors In sfHe fSe
German department.. to submit a report to him.
! which instructors class they had been the pre-
vious year.. the grade which they had been
| given by that instructor and adding our own
L n.
refused to make that report, because: /.
The reports Of the instructors are ON file at the
criticize the grades given by my colleagues who
are still teaching at the university would be an
case Of students coming from the classes taught
| by the dismissed instructor would be an act
Of absolute cowardice. inasmuch as that gentle
man longer here to defend himself
against any unfair or unjust criticism I might
pass on his marking l am sure there is not
fair minded man or woman In this any other
state who will not approve Of my action in this
matter.
| STUDENTS AND THE DEVIL
! Aside from this instance. have always sub
mitted to Professor Schlling In matters referring
to teaching and managing my classes.
| 1t is true that one occasion we had dis
agreement as to the amount of work to be done
by the students in one Of my classes. I thought
work, because the experience of years had
taught me that it was unreasonable and In fact
only answer was: Let the students 20 to ls the
| devil In my innocence 1 had always Thought
that It was part Of my duty as teacher to keep
our students from going to the devil. This
may be antiquated idea, however.
Having shown that my dismissal was not due
my part as instructor in the German department,
shall proceed to give the real reason for my
versty on August TO- 1885, when Martin l Keoar Hn,
was president Of the university and. Professor
After few years Mr.. Wheeler became president
! He visited my class one morning and at the end
| OF the recitation he told me that he considered
me good teacher. that he approved Of my
method, ETC. Evidently he had no fault to ind
heralded by the newspapers (duly inspired) as
great executive officer, fne gentleman, etc. he
| existing conditions, showed him the deference
| that subordinate owes to his superior. did
not see, however any reason why should turn
| away from SRrofessor Putzker, who has always
| been good friend and q source OF Inspiration
! for me.
| SCHILLING EGOTISTTCAL
This antagonized Schilling from the first BEING
essentially egotistical and conceited. be de-,
mands of those that his interiors (as far as
position is c0ncerned) complete submission to
! him. His antagonism to me showed itself when
he recommended one Of the instructors for an in
crease of salary from 5000 to s., 900 a year This
! instructor had been brought out here by him
| I was at that time doing even higher work than
| the gentleman In question. but was not recon-