New-York tribune., 1912-12-29
DRASTIC ON FOUNDATIONS
Professor Burgess Does Not
Approve Of Them.
UNIVERSITIES REAL HOPE
Moneyed Men Should lntrust
Funds to Existing Instltu-
tions, He Thinks.

Professor John w. Burgess, VINO was
dean of the graduate faculties at Column
bia University until his retirement last
June makes some caustic comments III
his annual report. which he has just SUD-
mitted. to the founding OF institutions
of research by men of wealth. and SAYS
that they are created in direct opposi-
ton 10 the furthcrance of the aims and
ideals OF true universities.
There is danger" he says, 'in this in
cidental development, so TO speak ot
our universities that men Of wealth may
become impatient with the slow results
and may seek TO found Institutes for
research unconnected with any university
at all This has happened already IN
two or three notable instances in the
United States. | regard the creations OF
Institutes for research independent OF the
universities as both unfortunate and un-
fair Unfortunate because In these IN
stitutions the investigators do not nave
the stimulus OF contact with the inquir-
ing minds OF students. and because no
students are admitted to the advantages
OF cooperating I'm research.
THE spirit OF research is thus not
generation. as IL is In the universities.
nor has II the same opportunity TO i'm
bue the college and professional dis
ciplnes with its philosophical and scien-
tIfc ideals. As ] view II. II is a distinct
loss to educational development and to
civilization to divorce philosophical and
scientific research from the universities
an give 1t over to independent institutes.
which have neither students nor assocl-
ated professional and vocational faculties
and schools.
And ! also think II is unfair 10 the uni
yersities to be shorn In this manner OF
their crownng glory. stunted In their de-
velopment and depleted in the very vital
force which makes them universities; that
is, institutions both for the advancement
and the dissemination OF knowledge in
which the philosophical and scientific
ideals lead the way for. and give the tone
to the professional and vocational disci-
plnes
mo one who has not lived his life in
the universities knows or can know with
what pain and travail and self-sacrifce
they have been built up from small be-
" iu'al Il'Seill, III many lT-
spects. magnificent proportions. Boards
Of trustees, without any pecuniary consid-
Grafton whatsoever, devoting time and
energy and money contributed by them
selves and their friends and faculties
composed OF scholars OF slender means on
small and sometimes pitisble salaries
have united TO make the American uni
versities what they are, and are still
striving to make them what they ought
to be.
These are the people 10 whom in all
fairness the whole work Of the higher ed
ucation ought TO be intrusted. They hace
proved their capacity, their loyalty and
their unselfshness by what they have al
ready done. They have been faithful over
not simply a few things. but many things.
and deserve the reward OF recognition
and confidence Instead OF endowing new
enterprises. II would be far wiser. far
more practical and far more generous for
the men OF wealth TO aid the great uni
versities, which through great exertion
and sacrifice have developed faculties and
schools for philosophical and scientific
research and graduate instruction and
which with half the sum bestowed upon
these independent institutes can do double
the service"