New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-02-08
LETTER BY PROCTOR
Why GIFT VAS LOST.
". Taylor PINE Hints at In
side TaHgIe at Princeton.

Princeton, y. j.. Feb. 7 (SpeciaD.-No Of
fcial comment was made by the university
authorities to-day on the withdrawal of the
gift OF William Cooper Proctor, 49, for
the Graduate College. but there was issued
to-day A statement by Moses TAYLOR Pyne,
a, chairman Of the graduate school COM
mIttee, Of the board of trustees. and a let
ter from Mr.. Proctor to the chairman Of the
trustees committee, which was appointed
10 look INTO the question and furnish
port on Thursday. Mr.. Pyne gives a resume
of the difficulties involved and Mr. Proctor
states his reasons for withdrawal Of the
gift
Mr., Pyne's statement says
Seven years ago a plan for a graduate
college was proposed and approved by the
trustees committee on the graduate school
and published under the authority of Presi-
dent Wilson. This statement of the plan
has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the pres1-
dent and never questioned unit! Mr.. Proc
ter's gift had been accepted, last October.
There has been no other plan for d gradu-
ate college ever brought before the board,
and there Is none now.
Mr.. Proctor, an aIumnus Of Princeton,
being DESTROYS of assisting in the develop
ment of the university, became interested
IN this project. On his own initiative, ana
unsolicited he made this magnificent OIrer
of half a million dollars to assist in carry
ing out this scheme OF graduate college
He made only two conditiOnS-one that the
buildings shall be placed where they VIII
have room to expand and where the
StudiOus life of the college snail not De
subject to undergraduate distractions the
other condition was that another Half
million dollars shall be raised for the
The first Of these conditions was prac-
ticaIIy accepted by the trustees at their
majority. The second condition has been
practically complied with. there remain
ing less than $4,000 of the $4,000 TO be
raised al the present time he has made
no other conditions and no interference
or suggestion OF any kind with regard
TO the ideals, administration, construction
or personnel Of the Graduate College. ex-
cept that he has asked the privilege or
erecting one building Is memorial 70 MS
parents. Such building would cost nov
over $4,000 at the most. II IS SaIe 10 say
that AT least S750.e00 of this 100000 would
have been devoted TO endowment
When il was proposed 10 him by the
president that he make certain radical
changes in the use OF his gift. altnONgn
against his judgment, with great generosity
and unselfshness he reluctantly acceded
10 this request
From the start his generosity has met
with such an extraordinary recepuo4' ms
motives have been so mlsconSITued' LIE
patience has been so soUely tried, that sell
respect has at last demanded the with
drawal Of his princely gltt
The letter written by Mr. Proctor 70
Thomas Z. Jones. chairman of the trus-
tees committee appointed to report TO the
board on Thursday what Mr.. PTocteTs
wishes in the matter were was made pup-
lie to-day. It says.
I beg TO acknowledge the receipt of the
letter of the special committee OF nNe Re-
laring TO the Graduate SCnOol unueI udLEe
Of January 26, asking me q numper oL
Answering the questions as to location
the Graduate School should, IN my Juds
neut be placed where il Will have room 20
expand and where its studiOus NE VIII
ROT he subject TO interruptions by under
graduates Although the golf links NJ
these views, should an equally goou SIT
be suggested I should be WllIpS 10 Coil
slider il. -
The remaining questions involve the
ideals administration and construction o.
the Graduate College. and the solution OF
1ha rrohIen7s thew raise are so clearly and
exclusively in the province ana duLy -
your board that replies from me TnlgHI
seem like an attempt TO dictate
The ideals expressed IN the original pr
rOsaI for a Graduate College seem. to pear
the authority of the university. ana my
gift was meant 70 aid that prOpoSltloh
Wilson 10 use the Swami bequeSt IN sepa-
rate construction also seemed authoTlta-
tive and I accepted that proposition as IN
aid of the general purpose your letter
Indicates TO me-. however. that the autnorl-
rias are not vet clear as 70 the ideas or
the college OF the use Of the swami pc
quest r.. - - -,-,gf
danr and his associates has not been sucn
AZ tn promise the usefulness which had
hoped to secure by my proposed gII I'M
I therefore beg leave TO withdraw II
Cincinnati, Feb. TN the hope that what
vas Princeton's loss might be made Gin
cfnnati's gain q movement was started
to-day in behalf Of the University OF Gin