New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-12
TELLS NEEDS OF N. Y. U.
Acting Chancellor Urges an En-
doWment of $4,000 900.
ALSO REFORMS IN TEACHING
DR.. J. H. MacCracken Stand Is
Thought to Mean Promotion
as Fathers Successor.

! New York University's needs are internal
reform in the organize ZION of her system
of instructing and a $4,000 600 endowment.
| according TO John Henry MacCracken, the
acting chancellor DIR. MacCracken has
| just published his views in the annual re-
port of the university. and they have
caused a variety of comment.
The opposition to his ideas has been
somewhat intensified by the strong proba-
| bity of his succeeding 10 the head of the
university. Owing to the epcroachment of
age on the eX-chanceIIor. Henry NJ Mac
Cracken the office of syndic was created
by the council of the university to take
care of great many of the business duties
of the chancellor. That Office since 1903 has
been held by Dr. John Fl. MacCracken. 1t
is because of this and the backing Of pow
erful endowed interests that he IS regarded
as the most likely choice of the council for
the next chancellor.
DR. MacCracken in an interview was nom
communicative this matter Yet In the
report of the chancellor, which has just
been made by him as the acting head of the
institution. he takes occasion 70 express his
views on the question of what ought to be
the future policy of the university. He
thus. while carefully maintaining that the
policy cannot he defined until the election
of chancellor. gives an inkIng of what
may be expected of him should the mantle
fall on his shoulders
The opposition to his succession has been
mainly through the fear of an administra-
tive autonomy. Yet his views as character
lied by a member of the faculty yesterday
are most progressive in educational theory
and widely divergent from some of those
maintained by his father
His Terms for Consolidation.
In discussing the matter. which caused
a long standing dispute between Seth Low
and his father on the subject of federating
Columbia and New York University, ne
would favor such action. he says If
some one will supply the need of New. York
University, as it exists to-day, by the gift
OF $lo,Oo0,CD, and under such conditions that
academic freedom shall be preserved TO the
federated schools and the educational op-
portunities of its students increased and
rendered less expensive to the student rath-
er than restricted in monopolistic fashion.
should, however. do so reluctantly. be-
lieving that two universities adequately
endowed would in the long run. contribute
more to the welfare of the community
This is regarded as a radical modification
of the position held on the same question
some years ago by his father. DIR. Mac
Cracker thinks, nevertheless. that the city
can maintain two universities. "A city
which can afford two cathedrals, two great
railway centres and two stock exchanges
can afford, beyond question, two univer-
sities' he says. And it is with this in
mind that he appeals for d big individual
endowment.
Says S1O,OoO,0o0 Is Needed.
After enumerating the special needs in
the report of the chancellor, he says;
"A study of the budgets of universities
will show that if $10,00o,0oo were placed at
the disposal of New York University to-
morrow. it would not be necessary for the
council to seek any new fields or encroach
on any ones domain in utilizing to the best
advantage large sum. We are placed
in dilemma by the extent and magnitude
of our work II ask for slo,UV,oU we
are in danger of being regarded as Visioh-
arv because the amount is so out OF pro-
portion to any amount when IL mas ever
been possibIe to secure in the past II We
fail to ask for s10Co0.Oo we lay ourselves
omen to criticism for being content with an
inadeouate budget and failing TO measure
I'D to the fulness of our educational oppof-
tunity and duty.
T. &c s,a+ad on confidential authority that
if Dr NacCracken can make good In get
+ino q $40 600 OOO endowment the counch is
willing 10 continue him the chanceIioF.
II. seems TO favor a big Individual endo"-
mont for he says: To-day there are sew
oral New Workers who could give New
York University the richest endowment ana
h1.iIdings OF any university in the world
without so reducing their capital as 10 ue-
prive them of that part OF their income
which they find it possible to use Tor 'heir
own enjoyment. Because the creation VI d
great university is of such magnitude anu
it should have for rich men
something of the fascination which lies III
the creation of a railroad system OF the
esta blishment Of a worldwide trust AS
vet only a very few, such as ME- hocke-
teller Robert Brookings, of st. Louis, and
Sir William c. Macdonald, of Montreal
have realized that in a university one can
find a work great enough TO tax the ablest
mind and the best stored pocketbook-
Would Change Teaching System.
Dr NacCracken is not at all satisfied
with the present system of instructIng at
>-o,, Work. University. He does not believe |
N the system which he defines as depart |
,,en+.I autonomy There is roo-n, he de- |
,IarAs for two men of diverging views |
and methods in the same department, and |
he hest interests of the institution as a |
,-bcla and of the students of q particular |
ierartment are likely to be sacrlficed II TOO |
,,eat administrative autonomy is accorded |
O single departments
While there should be certain UNITY es-
,entiaI to efficiency, there should not De |
,cmplete subordination to the heads OF de-
,artrnents to the extent of having appoint
merits and recommendations come entirely |
rom the heads of the respective depart
pents Dr. MacCracken thinks. lie also De-
iaves that New York University should |
,dopt some system which would draw OF |
he less competent instructors who nave |
lot meritedl promotion. as competition |