The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-03-27
lContinued on Page 81
VINCENT WAS
STAR WITNESS
President of Minnesota Uni
versity Testified in Mer-
cy Slander Suit.
tContinued on Page 81

Chicago. March 27.-Gieorge Edgar
Vincent. president of the University
of Minnesota, was the principal wit
ness today before Judge Pomeroy at
the hearing of the 100000 slander
suit brought by Miss Esther Mercy
against Miss Marion Talbot, dean of
women at the University of Chicago.
President Vincent. who was former
ly dean of the University of Chicago,
took the stand at the opening of the
afternoon session of court and proved
strong witness for Dean Talbot. In
substance, he denied that Dean Talbot
ever called Miss Mercy woman OF
the streets in his presence. as Miss
Mercy had charged.
He said that the only reason Miss
MercH had heen dismissed from the
University Of Chicago was because hsr
veracity had been questioned serious
ly." He was questioned at length ra-
garding converse tions which he held
with Miss Mercy at which Dean Tall
bot and Miss Robinson. head of the
housing bureau at the university, were
present. He denied that any language
such as charged by Miss Mercy was
used by Dean Talbot
Wallack Hickman. business man
ager of the University of Chicago.
then was called to the stand. He was
questioned by counsel for the defense
with a view to showing that there ex-
listed no prejudice against Jews at the
university. He said that several prom :
inent Chicago Jews We're members of
the board of trustees and submitted
a list of their names.
Harry Pratt Judson. president of
the University of Chicago, will be the
the hearing is resumed tomorrow
morning.
rs the University of Chicago stat,
or private institution ?" Attorney.
Walker asked President Vincent.
"a private institution he replied.
DO you remember Il conference in
December. 1910. at which Miss Tall
bot. Miss Robinson, Miss Mercy and
yourself were present 2" said Mr.. Wal
ker.
Yes. Miss Talbot raised the ques-
tion Of the hat at that meeting. Miss
Mercy said that the a;grettrs had been
stolen from her hat. l don't remem-
ber her exact words.
II remember Miss Robinson asking
Miss Mercy this question: Why did
YOU tell me Yesterday that you paid
50 a week for board AS I recolect
it. Miss Mercy replied: 7 told you
by Mrs. Won Jahn.''
."Where was this conversation -
asked Judge Pomeroy.
"1n Miss Talbot's Office" replied the
witness.
What did you ga yto her?" asked
Attorney Walker.
Il said: We should prefer to have
you withdraw from the university
and suggested that we would refund
Immediately demanded an investiga-
ton"
President Vincent then told of the
occasion when Miss Mercy's brothe-
went to the university to find out why
his sister had been dismissed.
The main point he brought up"
he said. was the reason for his sis
ter's dismissal. He wanted to know
If the matter could not be fixed up.
sisters veracity had been seriously
called and that we could not place re-
lance in her word"
What did Miss Talbot say on that
point?" asked Attorney Walker.
Il think she said: You have lied
to u.s.
What did Miss Mercy say?"
She said: OF course lied to
you"
WAS this young woman DISCHARGED
upon any immoral conduct that had
reference to her virtue. or upon the
insinuation that she was a woman Of
the streets?" Mr.. Walker asked.
An objection to this question was
sustained.
President Vincent denied that Miss
Mercy had ever been told either by
Dean Talbot or himself that she was
mentally and morally unfit for the
university.
That language was nevcr used" he
declared.
WAS this language useo: we don't
care to have a woman Of your charac-
ter in our institution? p" he was asked.
Those words were not used in my
presence" replied President Vincent.
President Vincent then denied other
language that Miss Mercy had testified
had been spoken to her by Dean Tai
bot.
AT any time while you were at the
university did Miss Talbot ever state
that Miss Mercy was woman Of the
streets and that she received money
from mon :" questioned Mr.. Walker.
mo. sir" replied President Vincent.