The Nome daily nugget., 1914-04-07

To what extent private endowments {" colleges and universities affects the teaching in those institutions is a question which is receiving considera- hle attention in the United States at the present time. While it is not di- rectly charged that any professor is obliged to wear the gag, it is yet worth observing that the American Political science association has seen fit to appoint a committee to exam in" and report upon the present situa- ton in American institutions as 10 lib . erty of thought, freedom of speeca and security of tenure 'or teachers of l olitical science.
 To appreciate the full significance of this step 1t must be noted that the membership of the political science association Is largel y made up or teachers of political science in colleges and universities and the natural in ference to be drawn is that if then freedom of speech has not already been interfered with, they have cause U apprehend that 1t will be. The ref erence to 'security of tenure would lead to the conclusion that some mem bers of the association have already come into unpleasant conflict with the opinions of powerful benefactors Of the institutions with which they are connected. Political science Is a sub . Ject on which men have never been agreed, but 1t is easy to understand that teacher who wishes to give his Lupils a grasp of its principles would strongly object to being compelled to present only one side of the case. and that which he 1n&ght perhaps think the weaker; nor should the state per nit an institution. which, through do- nations by rich men. would be in a position to attract to it's classrooms large numbers of the youth of the country to repress the freedom of thought which is the very essense of university training. Chicago univer- sity for example, is largely the crea- tion of the Rockefeller family, and if John D. Rockefeller so desired he cculd no doubt dictate what should be taught and what not taught in the in- ctitution, but to do 1t he would have to employ professors who would be moro at home in assisting him in Standard Oil manipulation than in ex- pounding their subject. It has never been said that Mir. Rockefeller inter- feres in the teaching at Chicago, but if he did it would be as much the duty of the state to interfere as if tho same thing were being done in a state- controlled university. The uni versity may be MT. Rockefellers but the students belong to the country. and 1t is the duty of the country to prevent them from being taught false VI AONSAAhO "hOtAOa bA POA
 tical economy or anything else. So far there has apparently been compar- atively little interference. but 1t is feared by independent educationalists that as the lines of political cleavage grow more distinct, 1t will be in- creasingly difficult to maintain this at, tude of non-interference. It is no secret that the mapority of tho wealthy and especially those who h,'e attained to student wealth. do not hold the generally accepted opinions on political economy. and the political science association appears to believe t.at their donations to educational institutions will be followed sooner or later by attempt to have their views impressed to the greatest possible extent on the rising generation of the nation.-Vancouver Sun.