The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-16
MAJOR WIENER AS A HUMoRIsT

We do not believe that anybody regards with
any degree of seriousness the situation which
fronts the Harvard University Corporation whose
members will meet ON Monday to act on the resig
nation of Professor Hugo Muensterberg as a men,
Der of the Harvard faculty. The eminent German
teacher submitted his resignation following the
publication of story that Colonel Clarence Wiener
will deprive Harvard of Sl0O00.000 that he in
tended to will to the university if the professor s
connection with the Cambridge seat of learning is
not severed. Not that we do not believe the loss
of Professor Muensterberg would be serious one
to Harvard, but the Harvard Corporation, if it
treats the situation the way it deserves will not
lose the services of the distinguished educator from
the realm of the Kaiser.
1t is doubtful indeed whether the professor him
self views the situation in any other than jocular
way. 1t is true his resignation in formal shape is
in the hands of the Harvard authorities and they
can accept it if they t but if they do accept it
they will to say the least display lack of sense
of humor that is not expected of them. The pro-
fessor's course in resigning was very dignifed
and proper for him pursue in fact ii was the
only one open to him, but it would be very undig-
nifed and very improper thing for the Corporation
to accept his resignation in the present circum-
stances
Even If 1t were possible to construe seriously the
threat attributed to Major Wiener to withhold
100000 he had intended to give to Harvard for
the that he believes Professor Muensterberg
has made harmful pro-German utterances to the
members of classes in the university, the Harvard
Corporation could not with dignity and propriety
dismiss the German professor in consideration of
s10,0000OO or any other amount of money
We do not believe that Professor Muensterberg
has said anything to his classes of nature that
would warrant his dismissal However. whatever
MS pro-German utteranees may have been with
due allowance made by his classes for the fact that
he is German in all his sympathies we do not be-
leve ne has been so indiscreet as to say anything
Intentionally that could actually be construed as
misleading his hearers with,regard to the facts of
the European war; but even if he has made anv
utterances that might warrant his dismissal it
would be the height of impropriety to dismiss him
for the sake of saving 10 cents or sl0OO0OOO for
Harvard University.
As matter of fact Major Wiener's alleged
threat must be regarded solely in the light of
Joke,-perhaps not very well-timed but at the
same time joke. The joke is made the more
apparent by statements coming from the majors
friends and relatives to the effect that the major
never had $10O0O,O00 and is never likely to have
anything like that amount of money. even if he
nherits all the possessions of all of his not-very
wealthy hnsmen, including those as far distant as
second cousins, three or four times removed
Major Wiener has made name for himself as
not-very-discreet humorist, but beyond that the
incident is closed or it will be closed when the
Harvard Corporation meets next week and decides
not to accept the professor resignation.