The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-06-20

Dr. James Young. professor OF public
administration and formerly director of
the Wharton school Dr. Edwin Mead.
professor of finance Dr. Clyde King. as
sistant professor Of political science,
and DR.. Thomas conway, Jr., profess
sor of finance. attended the meeting.
Prof. Nearing was not present.
Another Of the leading professors at
the university who has entered the fray
is Dr. Lightner Wilmer. director. OF the
psychological laboratory and clinic. DR..
Wilmer characterizcs the situation as
a conflict between democracy n autoc-
racy. with academic freedom struck
down with one blow. He declared that
every self-respecting member OF the
college faculty should resent the act ion
In the Nearing case.
Prof. Winners statement in part fol-
lows:
For the trustees of an institution
of learning even TO appear to control
the opinions OF it's faculties II usually
| the first step toward the deterioration
and d~isintsgration of the institution OF
| which they are legally the admins
traitors in trust for the entire coinmu-
nifty.
Il hold no brief for Prof. Nearing
respect his honesty. his courage and
his social sympathies, but l do not agree
| WIFI all OI Ills ttDIlpItliC NiNWb W. w
I approve some of the methods which he
employs In placing his views before the
public.
Nevertheless. rs n member OF a fac
ulty, I would consider differences In
opinion and method as immaterial. and
IL called upon | should the
appointment Of men with whom j dis
agreed Even more than with Prof. Near
ing and experience leads me to expect
that. II I waited long enough. l hould
lind In some cases that l had been wrong
and the opinions and methods with
which I disagreed were right.
"rhe conflict which this action of the
board OF trustees has unhappily forced
upon the University of Pennsylvania Is
Il part OF the universal struggle of de-
nocracy against autocracy.
AN essential feature OF the demo-
cratic form Of government, whether In
state or In university. II tolerance of
opinion. The distinguishing character
istic OF an autocracy IL intolerance
Other common characteristics arc
secrecy. fear Of public opinion, unen-
lightenment and aggressive ~self-asser-
ton"
withou, exception his fellow profes.
sors speak Of Or. Nearing as a great
asset 20 The university. Or. Clyde l.
King said
There Is not a man in university
faculties anywhere whose motives are
cleaner. whose ideals are higher. both as
a student and as n teacher. Scott Near
ing's personal contact with the students
invariably lef: an impress for good.
This statement Is MADE with full
| cognlzance OF the fact that he had In
enc class alone more than 400 student,
every year. Not only here is Prof
Nearing known as an effective teacher
Far and wide among the university mer
Of the country he is regarded as one O,
the c~learest thinkers on current prob
, lens in the United States. As a teacheI
he IL one OF the greatest assets Of tn,
University OF Pennsylvania. His los.
20 the Wharton School would be ir
remarkable
Or. Edward Cheney. professor o
English history. remarked
"Dr. Meanings influence on hi
students and in tho community has beef
. valuable. He Is one OF the group o
I, vigorous and active teachers who hay,
! done much to make the Wharton Schoo
what /, is.
But the manner OF Or. Nearing's dis
! missal raises a larger question tina,
c that of his own personality an,