New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-15
Stupid and Narrow, Says
Columbia Head In An
nual Report.
CLASSES FOR ALIENS
TO END THE HYPHEN
Site Obtained for Hospital in
Great Medical Centre Plan,
President Reveals.


or another to influence and even choke
free expression Of personal opinions
are being felt at Columbia University,
according to statements made by Presi-
dent Nicholas Murray Butler in his
annual report given out yesterday.
Threatening and abusive letters, taking
professors to task for their statements
and views, are referred 70 by DR.. But
! Ter, and he is scathing in his retort that
such letters show either stupidity and
narrowness or that the one attacking
has his own chestnuts In the fire In the
form Of some propaganda held dear.
In one instance an official In this
country Of one Of the belligerent pow
ers has written President Butler, at
lacking an officer Of the university as a
slanderer because of differences Of
opinion as 20 the qualifications and
character Of an individual whose name
is given.
In discussing efforts to exploit the
American youth while he is at the uni
versity, President Butler mentions ad-
herents Of woman suffrage and what ne
states is called socialism and prohibi-
ton as among those at fault.
The report states that it ia planned
BY Columbis to help in eliminating the
hyphen from American citizenship by
conducting classes for adult aliens
under the extension teaching depart
ment
Developments in Hospital Plan.
Important developments in the plan
Of Columbia University and the Presby-
terrain Hospital to found in this city
medical centre which will rival that in
any country Of Europe are noted in the
report. Although Columbia did not
originally plan to expend any money
until sufficient funds were in sight to
take care Of her entire share OF ST.
100000 in the project, 1t is revealed
that the hospital authorities contracted
10 purchase the property for the site at
the old American League Park on Sep
TENDER 1s. 1915, and on the reliance
that Columbia would share in raising
the purchase price. To meet this new
contingency and 70 save the undertake
ing from falling through an extension
70 buy was secured to November 20.
Columbia's share in this purchase
price must now be raised within a few
days from gifts 70 the university for
this specific purpose. President Butler
reports that many generous gifts have
already been received, but not sufficient
to complete the purchase.
In reference to the letters received
by him attacking some Of the officers
and professors Of the university, Presi-
dent Butler says:
"All this would be amusing were it
not sad The notion which Is sedu-
lously cultivated in some quarters that
there are powerful interests, financial,
economic and social, which wish TO curb
the proper freedom Of speech of uni
versity professors In America probably
has little or no justification anywhere.
So far as Columbia University Is con-
cerned, II has no justification whatever.
/ That there are large elements in the
population which do desire to curb the
proper freedom of speech Of university
professors is. however, indisputable.
Many Don't Want Freedom Of Speech.
"The last thing that many persons
want is freedom either Of speech or of
| anything else unless It's exercise hap
/ pens TO accord with their somewhat
violent and passionate predictions. II
must be said, on the other hand, that
professors Of established reputation,
sound Judgment and good sense rarely
/ IL ever find themselves under serious
/ criticism from any source. Such men
and women may hold what opinions
/ they please. since they are In the habit
/ Of expressing them with discretion.
moderation, good taste and good sense
/ II is the violation of one or another OF
these canons which produces the occa
sional disturbance that is so widely ad-
vertised as an assertion of or attack
upon academic freedom"
/ Decrying the exploiting of the Ameri-
B can youth, President Butler says:
"A well organized group Of American
youth such as is to be found at any
college or university of considerable
/ size offers almost irresistible tempts-
/ ton to the propaganda 1t seems 10
the ardent supporter Of some new
movement the most natural thing in
the world that he should be permitted,
/ in season and out of season, to
/ harangue college and university stu
/ dents on the subject around which he
! feels that the whole world revolves.
Any attempt to protect the students or
/ the reputation Of given college or
university for sobriety and sanity Of
! judgment is forthwith attacked as n
movement toward the suppression of
free speech. In particular, the agita-
/ ton in favor of woman suffrage, and
those In favor of what Is called pro-
+ hibition or of what is called socialism,
are most active and determined in seek
| ing 20 use colleges and universities rs
agencies and instruments of propa-
ganda.
There is no good reason why the
i youth who are committed to the care of
a college or university should be turned
over by that college or university 10
any agitators or propagendists who may
present themselves"
To Get 100000 Soon.
The executors of Joseph Pulitzer.
founder Of the Columbia University
School OF Journalism, seem to be salts
T fed that the terms of the will relative
10 the principal Of 81 100000 left 10
/ IN school have been satisfied. and
/ President Butler reports that he has no
reason 10 doubt but that the money will
| be paid over ms soon as the details can
| be arranged
President Butler tells Of some of the
/ findings of the Croker cancer research
/ laboratorirs as to the best way 70 use