Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-18

IL V u IN
s. these. because he was n tjntvsrsitv OF
ViliisyiVania man and deemed 10 hfs dut,
% stick to his guns.
,s. Wearing said that her husbend
t nau mace many sacrInces. While he re-
iuseo tu oners 70 lecture for financial rain
H., .equontiy paid his own expenses to
levture where he could reach n large
NUMBER n OF people, che said.
D0ctor Nearing contended that n was a
te'Sner duty to tell the world the result
OF his Investigations.
PUBLICITY CHIEF oFPENsB
Mrs Nearing declared that Doot,r Me-
ing suffered from publicity ara axos-
Berated stories. 1T appears" she said.
'hat the trustees did not object 40 much
as 10 what he said in the classroom "a
70 tue publicity he received Among other
raise reports circulated about him was
one In 1911 to the effect that he had lee
tured at Arden In his bare feet. The
trustees objected, and Doctor Nearing
proved that he was in Europe M the time
OF the supposed lecture.
"A report vas also circulated that he
suVocated wearing pajamas at dances.
rms was juo to statement made by aim
thet dress suits were very uncomfortable.
Mrs. Nearing said that the trustees
never complained to DR. Nearing az
rectly concerning his utterances. but that
ne always heard Of their objections
through friends other members of the
laoulty, she added, made more radical
statements than DR.. Nearing In the
classroom, including a prominent member
OF the English faculty, a prominent mern-
per OF the history faculty and also a law
professor.
The charge that Or. Nearing was an
atheist, his wife declared was without
foundation He was formerly member
OF the Baptist Temple, but withdrew she
said. She asserted that Dr. Nearing was
not Socialist did not believe in Social
lstc doctrines and had refused to ioIn
the Socialist party and added that other
professors at the University were mem-
bers of this organization.
REGRET NEARING'S DISMISSAL.
provost Smith refused to be seen to-
gay. Chief among those members of
the wharton School faculty who are more
tnan indignant over their colleagues dis
missal is j. Russell Smith, professor of
geography and Industries, who has been
connected with the University more than
% years. He said
Il regret more than I can say the dis
nlssal of Doctor Nearing Il ls not n
personal matter It seems rather like a
notice to oil OF us. Many Of us feel
as II we would like to resign this morn
ing.
This Is only matter that can make
the majority of men feel like that What
kind Of a man do they want anyway?
Nearing was one OF the most efficient
men in our faculty. He was at the head
OF every movement for the advancement
and progress Of the school. He was a
big brother to the freshmen and took n
special interest in helping men who were
behind in their studies. We feel that we
are puppets. Must individuals refrain
from doing what they believe to be their
duty? Many Of us are attached TO the
old school and like It, but this morning
we feel as If the bottom had dropped
out of things"
DR.. Roswell c. McCrea, dean Of the
Wharton School, said:
Scott Nearing was an efficient teacher,
an influence for good in his personal rela-
tionship with students and colleagues and
an able and helpful administrative asso-
clate."
S. s. Huebner, professor of insurance
and commerce, said: II am sorry to see
Professor Nearing sever his connection
with the University. regard him as an
able teacher and one much loved by the
student body"
g. G. Huebner assistant professor of
transportation and commerce, said: II
nave always regarded Doctor Nearing as
ono of the valuable members OF the fac
ulty and as one OF the best teachers in
the University. l deeply regret his dis
nlissal and consider It most unfortunate"
Nearly every member of the board OF
trustees interviewed about the Nearing
case referred inquirers to Provost Smith
The first 10 make any explanation was
George Wharton Pepper, who said:
80 far as free speech is concerned II
did not influence me at all. Furthermore
from what / have learned. II did not in
fluence other members Of the board OF
trustees 1t was merely a question OF
the good OF the service"
John c. Bell, former Attorney General
absolutely declined to discuss the case
He referred every one to Provost Smith
and declined to answer question as tc
how he had voted.
Louis c, Madeira said; I'VE have nc
| desire to limit freedom of speech at the
University. Freedom should not be linn
| tied, but II Is hardly possible to have
unlimited freedom"
He and other members of the board
were asked II they intend to lay dowr
| any definite policy by which members o.
| the faculty may be guided in public ad
| dresses
ut would not be possible TO lay dowr
| any pronunciation as to how far they
NAV CO." said Mr.. Madeira
| Doctor Nearing was dismissed only
| after n lengthy and hot debate between
| two factions OF the board OF trustees
| a meeting Monday, one OF which believes
| that the curtailment in any way or th'
right of free speech on the part OF faeult!
| members OF the institution Is direc
blow at It's progress and development. ant
|