The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1915-07-16
PLOT AGAINST EDUCATION


school of the University Of Pennsyl-
vania
Prof Nearing has been marked for
dismissal for some time. He is a So
cialist. His economic and social philo-
sophy and teachings have been in VIC
lent opposition to the ideas of the
| trustees of the University of Penn
sylvania, most Of whom are directors
in the powerful corporations Of the
state.
! He has been outspoken and fearless
in his exposition of working class con-
ditions Of living in the United States
and in his advocacy of Socialism.
During the sensational revival meet
ings held by Billy Sunday in Phila-
delphia last winter, Scott Nearing so
far defied the powerful business in
terests backing the crusade as to ad-
dress disagreeable questions to Rev
erend Sunday, relative to the hell up
on earth endured by the workers in
the great industries of the country.
1t is such 'pernicious activity" as this
that has made Prof Nearing obnoxi-
Gus to the Penrose-Vare- McNichoI
machine operating in Pennsylvania,
and which has made the state infam-
GUS in political, industrial and civic
history. His dismissal from the fac
ulty Of the state university is the
eliminating step in the program of re-
| actionism being carried out by the
merchants and manufacturers all over
this country.
We have, prior to this incident, call.
ed the attention of our readers to this
plan Of crushing out of our school sys-
tenn all tendency to progressive ideas.
Last week, we printed an account of
the indignation meeting in Missoula
over the discharge Of Prof Craighead.
simultaneously, there appeared in
other papers stories of the resignation
from the University Of Utah Of seven
teen of the most competent professors,
because of attempts to limit their free
dom Of speech. In Washington, Prof
Hart, of the history department of
the state university, has been asked
to resign, because of his radical teach
ing. In Reno, New, the citizens have
risen in revolt against a president Of
the state university, foisted on the
board of regents by the Southern Pa.
cific Railway company. In Wisconsin,
the state university is fighting for its
life against reactionary policies in
augurated by the captialistic legis-
lature.
These are not mere condolences
! Everywhere, from Washington to
Pennsylvania, the effort is being made
by the dominant business interests to
control the policy and to dictate the
character Of our institutions of learn
ing. Wherever possible, they are get
ting control Of the city, county and
state boards of education. No books
are permitted in the schools except
those fostering the capitalistic ideals
and methods. No instructors are en-
gagged who are known to be independ-
ent thinkers and teachers.
Organizations of teachers for mutual
benefit and protection are being as
determinedly fought as are those of
manual laborers. In the city of Butte
and the state of Montana, teachers
are being refused positions because of
their economic and social philosophy
and the attempt was openly made in
Butte this spring to discharge teachers
against whom the only complaint was
that they were socialstically inclin-
ing raised we must have no politics
in the schools" and under this cloak
Of patriotic non-partisanship, our
schools are being converted into the
most powerful tool the master class
can WELD for the enslavement of the
working class,-the dictation of the
education of the youth of the land
A graver danger threatens the
democracy of our schools. 1t is time
that the working class awoke to
sense of what it means for men and
women to be denied the right to teach
the truth in our public schools and uni
versities. 1t means that the most
democratic and fundamentally neces-
sary institution in any republic has
passed out Of the control of the people
and been converted into a vicious,
despotic machine for the drilling of
slaves in the service of an oligarchy.
Let the people of the United States
consider the fate of Scott Nearing and
take warning while yet there is time