The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-07-24
.STANDP ATTERS
ARE UNDER FIRE
Prof. Torrey, of Reed. Begins
Probe OF Hart Case on
the Campus
DIR. SUZZALLO is AIDING


OF the committee commissioned
by the American Association OF
University Professors 10 lnves-
tlos.e the discharge OF Joseph
Il. Hart from the University OF
Washington faculty, Monday
was on tho campus reviewing
the situation with e.her faculty
members.
Prof. Torrey Of Reed college,
Portland, alona With Prof. o. n.
MeMurrsy OF the University o.
California and Prof. w. Z.
Briggs OF Stanford university
were detailed by Chancellor
Frank Strong Of tho University
OF Kansas 70 investigate Harris
case.
Dr. suzzallo. who returned from
Montana Saturday. has announced
he will cooperate with the inyeBti-
gators handling the Hart case.
lie said Prof. Harris connection
with the university was severed be-
cause Of "a failure % cooperate In
tho performance OF departmental
duties which efficiency required"
President Suzzallo received notice
in June that the A. A. U. y. In
tended 20 investigate the case on
an appeal from Hart
Offers to Hear Appeals
lie was dismissed In May. 1915,
along with Dean Bolton and Prot.
Herbert G.. Luii. all OF the depart
Imeuf OF education
Action was taken by the regents
on the same day they elected Dr.
Henry Suzzallo president
Or. suzzallo later informed the
three discharged faculty men that
they might appeal their cases 10
him II they cared to.
Bolton appealed and was rein
stated.
Lull went 10 the Kansas State
Normal school NJ Emporia.
Hart did not appeal TO Or. SUI
zallo. but placed his case in the
hands OF the A. A. u. r.
Same Body Defends Nearing
This body OF educators inyesti-
gated the case OF DIR. Scott Nearing.
who was dismissed from the faculty
OF the Wharton School OF Finance.
University OF Pennsylvania. That
Investigation attracted nationwide
attention.
The investigating committee here
will try TO determine whether
Harris dismissal was just. In the
light Of alleged petty turmoil he II
alleged TO have created In his de.
par'ment.
To Expose poiitieians' Control
ON the other hand they will be
confronted with evidence TO show
tina, outside politicians were
anxious TO get Hart out OF the uni
yersity.
The A. A. u. p. is determined TO
stop political meddling At the ex-
pense OF academic freedom.
In December. 1915. shortly before
the legislature convened. Hart Ad-
dressed parent.teacher associations
and fearlcssiy raped many reac-
iionaries who were trying to IN
iimidate university faculty mem
bers.
Such politicians as Jimmy Davis
OF Tacoma. who was slated for the
Craftsmanship Of the appropriations
committee. were taking every op-
portunity 10 block development on
the campus unless the liberal fac.
ulty members were muzzled.
The politicians were branding
them as anarchists"
standpstters Blocked Progress
The university was badly in need
LOT appropriations.
Buildings were crumbling.
And the politicians held the purse
strings.
So Dean Landes, then acting
president following the dismissal
OF President Thomas Kane. wrote
20 Hart. and half jokingly and half
seriously told him 10 refrain from
making criticisms OF the politicians
from public platforms
IL was following the receipt OF
this letter that Hart decided TO re-
sign from the faculty.
He did not want to be restrained
from speaking when or how he
pleased.
So he wrote resignation to Re.
gent Fechter. which. Il is said. was
severe indictment OF the narrow
viewpoint which was dominating
the university.
Popular With Students
This letter has never been made
public
Friends OF Hart on the faculty
pointed out that his resignation
would be a keen loss to the univer-
sity. They also pointed out that
his resignation would be simply
playing into the hands OF the poll
lticians who wanted to dictate the
teachings OF the institution.
So he recalled the letter OF resig.
nation by telegram.
Friends OF Hart point TO his popu-
larity with his students as an indi.
cation OF his fitness for faculty
office.
Was He Sclf-Made Martyr
II However, other faculty members
point out that his standing on the
faculty gradually lowered. in the
estimate OF other faculty members,
because he tried TO become a mar.
tyr oftentimes when there was no
occasion for climbing on the altar"
And they say he went out OF his
way TO block cooperation.
UAusANar thAr1 l. nj, 81.