Newark post., 1913-06-25

y planned continuous, orderly, ed
ucat-Onal process. and 50 TO facili-
tate for each community the civic,
social. recreatlOnal-in the truest
sense. educational - development
which should inhere in democracy
and neighborhood. One hundred
and two formal addresses and lee
lures have been given upon civic
and social development. Fifty
boards OF education and their ad-
ministrative bodies have been met
in consultation, and more than
$500 requests for specific informo,
tion and advice regarding social
center development have been re-
cieved and answered.
Thus far. as a result of the work
of the Bureau of Social and Center
Development four cities in Wis
consin have definitely appropriat-
ed sufficient money to engage sup
ervision and supply necessary
equipment. and in more than 100
places the movement for construc-
tive community organization and
social center development is well
under way.
Where there is an expressed de-
sire for such service, the Bureau Of
Civic and Social Center Develop
ment aims to furnish the results of
the experience Of other cOmmuni-
ties engaged in this form Of COM
muity self service which has been
centered in the school house or
other public building. 1t especial
ly aims to furnish information and
assistance by which all residents of
Wisconsin may take avantage of the
opportunities offered by its Univer-
sity.
The greater part Of Thursay af-
ternoon was given over to pleasure
trips by automobile, or motor boat
rides on Lake Mendoza. Thurs
day evening the pilgrims from the
east were entertained at dinner, at
New Park Hotel, by citizens of
Madison. Friday morning from
9 to lilo was given over to an in
spection of the Agricultural De
partment of the University. The
character of its work is quite sim
liar to our own, and need not be
dwelt upon in detail here.
From the Agricultural Depart
ment we were taken to the Maple
Bluff Golf Club by motor, where
the party was entertained at
luncheon. The feature Of this
luncheon vas d discussion Of the
spirit Of the University Of WiscOn-
sin. and the function Of its eXten-
SON division as an eItra-1Iural, by
President Van IIise. Your repre-
sentative has been unable as yet TO
obtain a stcnOgraphic report Of this
address. 1t was fundamental in
character. as a few excerpts from it
will indicate.
President Van uise said, "'The
State University is not in politics
in the sense that it has ever been or
ganized in the support of any in
diyidual faction or party. 1t is in
politics insofar as it takes a posi-
ton of leadership in advancing
movement along economic and So
ciaI betterment Of the people. "
This activity of the University
in upbuiding the commonwealth
in all lines is unavoidable if the
University is to justify its support
by the people of the State. -
THE University should reflect
the spirit of the times without
yielding to it. 1t must advance
knowledge as well as impart it. Our
ideas must be readjusted in each
generation in the light of our new
knowledge.
THE freedom of thought, un-
trammcled inquiry after truth for
its own sake, a constant readJust-
ing Of knowledge of the past In the
light Of the newest facts is abso
lutely essential in any university,
and is a condition of its existence
which it must not yield under any
circumstances.
1T is this spirit which forever
makes the university a center of
conflict. Peace and progress are
antipodal. Within our own nation
a great struggle is now going on be-
tween different ideas and ideals.
Progress is possible only through
struggle and strife.
"As of old, so today, the spirit
of the university is in irreconcil-
able conflict with those who hold
that the present state of affairs is
best. Political and religious faiths,
conventions, and morals, are all
constantly changing. Since the
university's chief function is to in
spire, adjust. improve, and advance