Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-26
BELL DEFlES WFTMER
TO TAKE NEARING CAST
TO SUPREME COURT
University Trustee Chal
lenges Psych ology
Teacher to Prove Illegal
ity of Assistant Profes.
sor's Dismissal.

defiance 70 supporters Of Or. eeatl
Wearing. deposed assistant professor a
the University Of Pennsyivanla, 10 tsss
in the State Supreme Court the iesaillt
OF the trustees action in dismissine him.
was made today by ex-Attorney General
John c. Bell, one Of the trustees.
The statement was issued in reply e
one published today by Dr. Lishiner wiz
mer. professor Of Psychology. IN which
he reiterated his BELIEF that the employ.
ment contract was illegal and an egsl
sion Of the provisions Of the University
charter"
Doctor Wilmer also suggested that n It
should prove impossible to present iha
case for the faculty before a court *
law. by virtue OF some legal technicality.
the faculties Of the University might psti-
tlon the State Legislature to revive tie
old University OF the State or Pennryl4a-
mia, on the ground that the act or ial
has been violated,
SAYS TAKE IT 70 COURT"
Mr.. Bells reply to this statement is a.
follows:
wordsl Words! wordsi Ihere Il no pernon
quite 30 voluhle as q talkativa teacher ia me
tinue the game of loEomachy with Doctor Nc
mer Just say agree he shall win hy default
article beeaure q the insistsnt 4eaasae N
polite Young reporter who. realized was try-
Of convincing Professor Wilmer 81 tgs s'fssas ,as
sure when read his nrst long letter
CHALLENGES DOCTOR wTTMER.
Hts reply this morning seals this conviction 70
contention that the charter act 'S or sh AZ. IL s ns
expressy provides for the election and re.
tees prevents the trustees from making sps.
oiny contract for a definite term Of one fNetr
tract thus comes to an end at the esnfafSen
OF the year; or that such assistant pfofeas0r
with express notice OF its duration. hss. Wien
such term hos ended. any right under the cons
nS Il hat M Il. ssp % o
his employment Is for life. or as long a. NJ
tion in the supreme Court OF Pennsyivanis:
OF, falling there, have the charter act or The
Finis. 'pe'' 70 nm
The bitter controversy brought on BY
the action OF the trustees In failing
to reappoint DR.. Scott Nearing as assist
ant professor OF economics in the Whar-
ton School. became more Intense today
with the publication of letters exchanged
by Harrison s. Norris and George Wharf
ton Pepper, n trustee OF the Univeralty
on the free-speech Issue.
The first letter of the series was written
by Mr. Pepper as result OF the storm
OF protest aroused by the recent action
OF the trustees. Mr., Morris. who Is ex-
ecutor OF the Wharton estate. Immediate
ly wrote to Mr.. Pepper requesting that
he head a movement to restore and to
secure free speech at the University.
PEPPER LETTERS AIRED.
Under the date of June "a, Mr. Pepoer
ropied that there were amany good rea-
sons why he should not head such
movement, and then suggested that
definition Of free speech be agreed up y
before Mr.. Morris attempted to lead 81 M
a movement. He wrote In pait
II by free speech e meant the unrest
RSPpsss 10 ho hSRR co9a 9t oot any
70 advocate such license either at Nj n
vergity or anywhere else. Conceivahiv
might feel himself justified In advocafiaa
dlsregard OF moral principles regarded IS tas
rest OF US as fundamental.
u. on the other hand. free speech means the
the ethical sense Of the community and 'sa s5
proclaimed AZ 70 evidenes due e9nslderatoh for
Views, ] shall be happy to enlist IN q cam
palgn for free speech at the University Or
me to be in jeopardy. Very truly yours
DEFINITIONS DIFFER
Mr.. Morris took issue with Mr.. Pepper
on this Issue. replying that his definition
OF free speech is "the utterance OF per-
son of known high character who speaks
neither treason nor obseenity." He con-
tinued as follows:
In further answer to your Hrst letter.
o me and :. the University BY teiIing me
Tankly the r. on for the notice ghen ~
ieott Nearing II any utterance OF he has
nended agairs the dennition given above 81
rec speech. OF even OF the definition you give
hen / could better understand the acton ~
he mefabers OF the board OF trustees who
oted against him
II. on the other hand, the selashness or en-.
renehed monopoly or OF religious higoiry have
egutten his dismissal, l should expect you %
enounee those un-American motives. and a3
0u say enlist In campaign for free speech
[ the University, or anywhere else, WhenoVer
No right appears 20 be IN Jeopardy. p
such . campaign can have one object only
No righting Of the wrong that has been done;
ie acknowledgement that public sentiment re-
ures you to replace the man who nov typlhes
AT fS"N' napRFgON 4 afOpnfa