New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-24

New Haven, June 23.-Yale's alumni
dinner this afternoon evoked the opln-
ion by Professor Ralph Adams Cram,
of Princeton. that modern civilization
must perish because Of the European
war. Flippaut references TO William
Jennings Bryan were made by EXPIRES
jdeut Taft and the Rev. Sloane Coffin,
and an expression of regret by Justice
Charles Evans Hughes that MIR. TAFT
is not on the bench instead of the
classroom. Professor TAFT scored the
practice of buying up athletes for uni
versity teams.
"Our civilization has failed as com
pletely as any that preceded IT, and
whatever the issue Of the war, It can
no more be restored than that OF
Pcricles or Hadrian or St. Louis said
Professor Cram. at is at an end.
What the next will be we cannot say,
but it will be a new world, built upon
the ruins Of the old as nearly as may
be.
1--WE are in a very real sense per
forming the duties Of conservat n
that were performed by the monks OF
the Middle Ages in the unlversit IS
that were the progcnitors Of this UNI
vcrsity They made operative the
traditions Of living civilization. Re
lirion for the moment has failed with
that civilization which it could not con-
troll. and there is no benefit 10 be had
save in the culture that is saved from
the wreck
The Rev. Dr. Coffin said: "In 1895
q personal aspirant for office, william
I BRYAN. came % New Haven to carry
the war into the cncmy's country |
was in the company Of students that
went to the New Haven Green to vel
come our distinguished visitor, and by
cheers for his political opponent we
succeeded in interposiag proper de
lay TO his ambition. That furnished
patriot lost his temper
Mr.. Taft said: 81 wish to speak Of
gentleman for whom have sympa-
thy. from common experience. That
gentleman in an election campaign IN
which ! took some part said that /
had been elected by a large majority,
but that ! would 20 out by unanimous
vote.
"Now that lie has been retired with
general approval, l stand here to de-
feud him, and 10 say that we who are
trying 90 inform the world with our
lungs and throats must stand together.
and because we make an occasional slip
is no reason why our profession should
turn against US.
I'VE of the university who are en-
gagged in athletic as well as educational
matters should congratulate ourselves
at the Improvement in eligibility. In
nv time IN college il was the custom
for a man to perfect himself during his
UNDERGRADUATE course, then to continue
. l. ....iF nm Il y "a
going into the law or medIca! school,
and then perhaps into the divinity
school and continuing on athletic
teams. Now the eligibility rules make
the contests retain our interest because
/ they are between genuine undergradu-
ates. But there are some things LETT
. for reform.
First, don't think IL conduces TO
good manners or leads to admiration
: TO have this constant chatterlng be-
| tween contestants on the field in iml-
/ tation Of professional baseball ! DO
not think il - IN accord with the best
standards of university life for one
contestant to call TO another. Put his
owe out,' think that we can
prevent the offering Of scholarships and
support from friends OF the universe
ties 20 induce athletes TO come to any
university. ! don't know II ! am hit
| ting anybody, and ! don't care.
"Our universities will be places for the
education Of young athletes the country
over. I don't say this because we lost
! the baseball game yesterday. II was
brought 70 my mind because promi-
nent athlete of our freshman class
brought a letter from n prominent uni
vcrsity Offering him a large scholar
ship that would pay his expenses IN
college. and would give him a position
Of $1,000 a year coaching after he had
finished his college course. | don't see
why we can't surround our colleges
with such atmosphere and surroundings
as will free them from professional
gain"
1--WE shall be deeply affected by the
great international movements now in
progress" said Justice Hughes. Let
us hold up TO the public the impartial
pursuit of equality and put aside the
| idea that any person in power shall say,
i will"
"This morning Professor Taft said:
my only regret is that ] must rewrite
my lecture on constitutional law Ny
only regret is, that his lectures on
constitutional law are not the opinions
OF the courts"
Many gifts were made 20 Yale Uni
yersity during the last year, President
Arthur T. Hadlcy told the alumni at its
dinner (Which followed the commence
ment exercises this afternoon. Treas