The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-11

tees OF the Legtslature In regard to
bills which corr IN education or In
ve5'ipation related to tho work of the
university. but only In tho capacity
nj experts. and not az representatives
OF the university
This action was taken rather that
| tho regents might have knowledge OF
what was being done th"n TO fo-hid
professors from going before commit
tees ~ professor has the same right
TO take part in public hearing he
/ fore a Legislative committee us any
other citizen. While this Is indis-
puthhle. In most cHscs where profes-
sors have appeared before committees,
thew have done so upon the Invitation
of the committee rather than through
their own initiative Thus when TIE
question of the drainage Of swamp
Lands is up II tx natural that the leg
islntire committees having the matter
in rhrrye should ask the department
OF soils TO send members OF its stpfY
to the committee 20 give information
concerning the subject Similarly, In
regard. 20 weed eradication. 1t was
neutral that professors In the aEri-
cultural college should be called
Cases of this kind have never been
criticized. But when the question OF
the establishment OF railroad com
mission or an Industrial commission
arises. 1t is clear that the lepisiative
committees have the same right to
call unon the professors OF the univer-
stty. II they so desire. rs threw have in
II SUBJECT related to ..,p'ied science
while every one will doubtless con-
ce'e the reasonableness of the pro-
posal that the professors should be
! free In teaching political science and
sociology. II Is sometimes said that
they are likely to be too radical II
is doubtless true that men who are
advancing knowledge In the subjects
which they profess are likely in GER
t"in cases to be somewhat In advance
of the development of public opinion,
| but II university were not free to
assist in conservative and careful adj
vance. il would not b6 worthy the sun
port OF free democracy.
IF YOU viii forgive a personal illns-
tration. ] may mention that somewhat
more than two years ago before the
beginning Of the presidential campaign
OF that year. l published a book called
Concentration and Control, a Solution
iof the Trust Problem In the United
states Al that time the ideas of that
hook were considered radical: and Its
fundamental purpose. to control big
business through trade commission.
was denounced by the two dominant
parties but SO rapidly did this proposal
win favor In the country. that I'm Feb
ruary last j was asked by the United
states Chamber of Commerce. COM
posed of Representatives business men.
to present my views at the annual
meeting OF the chamber. held In Wash
ngton. The ideas offered were SO
fnvorably received that, although not a.
member of the chamber, ] was asked
to serve upon their committee to pre-
sent the program OF the chamber re-
gardinS trust legislation to the com
mittees of Congress. This / did, ana
since that time l have been asked to
speak upon trust legislation to many
chambers of commerce i'm the large,
cities of the United States
.'1Eh,s cnntrnI ,.P hi,, ,>,,.;,o,.-
erhl trade commission has now become
a national policy, being enacted into>
law at the last session OF Congress.
with the almost unanimous support OF
both OF the great parties. The radi-
calism of two years ago has become
conservatism to-day.
The foregoing statement makes
clear the principles which should APP
ply to the relations OF state uni
Versity TO the State. The State uni
versity should not organize, or attempt
TO organize, in favor of any party on
faction. IT should not attempt to con-
troll legislation. II should be free to-
teach and investigate all subjects in
which the people are profoundly in
teTested. TO do the two first would he
to engage in politics; to do the las,
is fundamental necessity for nm ir.-
stitution bearing the name OF uni
vers,ty, and this is not engaging In
politics. The failure to make this dis
this State, which Should here be cleared
up, and which should be avoided else
whore.
THE principles involved, once made
plain, j have no doubt. will have the
support OF the great majority Of the
people OF every State The people OF
no State would wish their university
to attempt to control the political at
fairs of the State, or 10 control legis-
iation; the people of no State would
tolerate interference with. freedom OF
teaching ard freedom OF investigation
by tie university In tho service OF the
state.
These views, l trust will appeal to
tAc Governors here assembled as sound
and wise. ] hope that they will sup
port the State universities in their re-
spective States in judictous freedom OF
teaching and investigation, and ut the
same time exercise watchful cnre that
they do not participate in politics.