New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-17
Calls Foundation Menace
to the Freedom of
Teaching
MANHATTAN COLLEGE
CONFERS DEGREES
Herman A. Metz Given Honorary
Ii. D.-Prizes and Medals
Distributed.

Andrew Carnegie's Foundation for the
Advancement OF Teaching was Sharply
attacked last ngh5 and its dissolution
demanded by Thomas w Churchill. presi-
dent Of the Board Of Education. during
the Manhattan College commencement eN-
ercises in Carnegie Hall.
Mr. Churchill described the foundation
a. a menace to the freedom OF teach
ing" and declared that its "bribing hand
had purchased the abandonment OF relig-
ious principles by countless small COL
lcges.
About ten years ago.. said President
Churchill, our morning papers an
nollnced TO us that NJ" Andrew Carnegie
had with some millions established fund
for the pensioning of college professors.
Not himself a college man, Mr.. Carnegie
has been among those distinguished citi-
zens whose utterances upon the useless
ness of a college education had rendered
their service through wide publication IN
the newspapers and by provoking argu-
ment and denial.
But about 1904 Mr. Carnegie set aside
his college pension fund and formed his
committee to administer ii. What had
been announced and hailed as pro-
vision for the old age Of the college pro-
lessons now appears as corporation TO
buy control Of the management OF such
colleges as are willing TO sell their birth
rights. What had been advertised as an
institution for the reward Of teachers who
had lived from nand TO mouth that they
might instruct the youth Of the country
now presents itself as a junta which de-
clares that college teaching and manage
ment shall he carried on according to the
pattern prescribed by il.
Most conspicuously marked for dis
elimination by this Carnegie board APP
pears the religious college. Drop your
denomination says the Carnegie Founda-
ton, and well advance you the money
to retire yOUr professors. One cannon
but blush for the weakness Of human
nature as one sees in the presence Of the
outstretched hand OF the Carnegie Foun-
dation Methodist colleges. congregational
colleges, Baptist colleges and Quaker col
leges renouncing the faith Of their found
ers. one cannot hut blush with indigna-
ton that any BODY OF men in this gen.
Grafton and in this country would so
brazenly employ the tremendous power
Of great wealth as to permit it TO buy the
abandonment of religion.
Let this menace t. the freedom OF
teaching be undone. Let the foundation.
voluntarily or by process of law. be dis
solved and its revenues converted to a
pension service beyond the power of a
private committee"
The exercises marked the sixty-frst an
nual commencement Of Manhattan Col
lego, and were presided over by the Right
Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle. Her
man A. Metz, former Controller, was
given the honorary degree of Doctor of
Laws.
The alumni purse for the best English
essay was won by William A. Farrell.
and Thomas J. McBreen. OF the freshman
class. captured the Herman Ridder prize,
Of $50, for experimental physics.
Three gold medals were won by Ferd'-
nand J. Enterlin. these being the Milmo
MCGOWAN medal for religious instruction,
the Kelly medal for philosophy, and the
Taylor medal for philosophy OF history
The Grady memorial medal for oratory
went to George b. Connolly, Of the junior
class, and Joseph a. Murrar was award
ed the Cohalan medal for civil engineer
ing.
In the nigh school department the Doel-
ger medal for excellence was given to
William II. Mccormick, and the medal
for elocution TO Harry A. Murray. Fran
els ]. Breer. Of the fourth year COM
mercial won both the Brother Charles
medal for general proficiency and the
Kean medal for Christian doctrine. TIE
Pommerer medal for stenography and
typewriting went TO Thomas r. Morgan
william A. Farrell and Thomas d. Kelly
were the recipients Of Bachelor of Arts
degrees. and the degree Of Bachelor OF
Science in civil engineering was given to
Ferdinand ]. Enterlin. with honor, and
TO John c. Murphy. with credit.