The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-22


quarters that conflict Of views w!:h the
heads of some American Institutions en-
tails dismissal. He has always spoken
his mind freely--not In the newspapers
but before scientific societies and TO his
faculty comrades. Yet no stays At CO.
lumbia- Now and then one hears that
"Catteil is too big man to oe hred."
As q matter Of fact II was President
Butler who saved him In Q notable cpl
sode last year. Early In May the Con-
fury Association declined to admit Prof
jacques Loeb. the biologist 10 member
ship. Prof. Cattell wrote q letter chars-
ing that DR.. Loeb was blackballed be-
cause of race prejudice
At about the same time Prof. Catteil
was notified that a resolution providing
for his retirement. rs he had taught twen-
ty-hve years. would be presented at the
mex, meeting OF tho board Of trustees. He
objected To retirement
On May 81 q. l.. Rives. chairman OF
the trustees, wrote him that tho commit.
tee on education had favored his retire.
ment "in accordance with q previously ex-
pressed judgment Of your own, and also
in accordance with their own conviction
that the interests Of the university would
be promoted by your retirement"
Mr. Rivess letter. however. had this
closing paragraph:
Your letter of May IL. 1913. addressed
to the chairman OF tho trustees, confirms
the committee In this latter opinion. but
at the personal request Of the president OF
the university and In Difference to his
wishes the committee has decided not TO
present to the trustees the resolution pro-
vlding for your retirement"
1t was alphabetically denied at Columbia
that the plan to retire Prof. Catteil was In
any way related to his championship or
DR.. Loeb. Apparently IL maturcd before
the Loeb matter camc IN. But 1t seemed
obvious that Prot. Cattelis previous rec
ord Of outspokcnnoss had Influenced the
committee on education and the trustees,
If not President Butler
At the time Of the disturbance which re.
suited IN the retirement of Prof Harry
Thurs,on Peck, Dr. Cattell sent TO other
faculty members a pamphlet expressing
dissatisfaction with conditions at Column
bia.
He spoke or The hureaucrn, system
by which nearly Everything In university
control IS done 10y the president with or
without consultation with ms subordinate
deans" lie gave list OF prominent edu-
Gators whom Columbia Lad lost in the
last five years from IS pure science"
faculty
I'm men ~ distinction aud high prom
Use We have fallen behind Harvard Yale.
Chicago and Johns Hopkins" no wrote.
The university takes advantage OF the
mau OF genius's scientific interest TO place
him an b, position which ~ less Independent
and less adequately paid thau il. would
have IN other professions"
But the lovers OF discord who predicted
q great rumpuS no Columbia on i'iof.
Cattells account have been confoundcd
President Butler insisted on his retention,
and that apparently ended H.
Just now the surface at Columbia is un-
r,pplcd. President Butler stood up'' for
both Prot Peck and Prof Cattcll .,ud won
friends thereby. Apparently il, and Prof
cattcll ar" Tie best ct friend. Vt the
psychological has IN rowise changed ms
opinion Mat III" possibilities OF one man
control ia any university is bad ia prac-
toe and dangerous IN poSs billy. That
seems "a fair Inference from h.s New
Haven address
Indication of tho contrast between the
Administrative systems Of Europe and
America should preface n report az Prof
tatteil's remarhs. Let oxford be the Old
world example
NJ oxford "nual control over all acts
aud business Of the university" rests with
tine House Of tonNoc3tion. composed OF all
masters OF arts and doctors OF the higher
Faculties VINO are enrolled ON the uni.
Ncrs.ty books THIS body elects the Chan.
c"llor, who dominates annually the Vice.
Chancellor IN" real administrative head
q! the university The Nlce-Chancellor
must be- chosen from among the heads Of
the various colleges.
All university leg lsla;ion IL promul-
gated and submitted to the convocation
by another widely representative body.
the liebdomadal Council. Its members
are the Chancellor. Chancellor i'm.
mediate "N-Nice- Chancellor and nroctors.
all ~ oficio, and eighteen other men
heads OF houses, professors. Sc, elected
for six year terms by tho congregation If
the university.
Thus mopayChioal England has n truly
democratic university. The dissimilarity
between This and the American system is
obvious THE college presidency lin the
United Statcsl Is Il d.spotis,n untcfu-
pcrcd by assassination" says one signing
himself "A Near Precursor I'm Dr. cat.
t"Ils magazine, the Popular Science
Hohthiy. an epgt1u widely quoted by
prnio sSors whose observation of the throne
room is more than near" The same
writer tells Of n university president who,
when questioned regarding summary ac.
ton regarding members OF his faculty.
said: II have no reasons to give: IL il
my pleasure The writer adds: cit IA
possible that the distinguished president