The Washington times., 1916-04-12
Professors Charge Her With
"Autocratlc and Arbitrary
Dealings With Them.
AL TURN AGAINST HER
Not a Single Instructor Takes
Side Of Executive-Move-
ment for Changes on Foot.

PHILADELPHIA. April 12-As a con-
sequence OF charges OF autocratic and
arbitrary dealings with members Of her
faculty, directed against DR.. M, Carey
Thomas, president Of Bryn Mawr Col
lege. a meeting OF the whole body Of
senior professors. including the Bryn
Mawr senate, was held Monday with a
special committee of Ave directors to
teen OF the full professors had been
President Thomas states the letter was
addressed to her. and asked for CO
the college, and that she caused tho
meeting OF March 30 to be called to pre-
sent this letter and other business.
IL Ia reported that President Thomas,
inheritor Of the fortune Of Miss Mary
Garrett. Of Baltimore. and who IL a
life member OF the board Of trustees.
was not present at the meeting.
Opposed Administration.
Information as to the deliberations OF
this meeting was obtained today. to
the effect that the body Of Bryn Mawr's
senior professors unanimously opposed
Doctor Thomas administration, against
which the committee of directors was
presented with q severe indictment. with
specifications. 1t 10 reported that not a
single member Of the whole body OF
senior professors sides with President
1t is also stated that a movement Is
afoot in the college sponsored by the
Association of Bryn Mawr College and
urged by the senior professors, TO
bring about radical democratic changes
in It's administration, and to this move
Also. alumnae, headed by Mrs. Charles
Mclean Andrews, Of New Haven. ex-
president OF the Bryn Mawr Alumnae
Association, are working TO have
changes effected in the college charter
main a sectarian Quaker institution,
but may avail itself OF the Carnegie PEN
son fund for its professors. Mrs. An
drews declares that, contrary to tradi-
ton, the charter does not require thai
member Of the Society Of Friends
Recent Charges Cited.
The cases OF DR.. Richard Thayer Hol.
brook. associate professor in romance
languages at Bryn Mawr; Of DIR. Ids
Langdon. a niece OF Mark Twain. and
of DR.. Edna A. Shearer, both senior
readers IN English. whose relations with
Bryn Mawr have been terminated; Of
Miss Clara Whitney Crane. also a read.
Crandall. whom DR.. Thomas denoted
from her headship OF essay work in the
English department and has since re.
| tanned and promoted to an associate.
| ship In English at the earnest soliclta.
| ton OF the Bryn Mawr alumnae-all
| these are cited as recent cases thai
have contributed 10 bring about the
reforms now contemplated.
! Attention was first called to unusual
conditions at Bryn Mawr about the
middle OF February last. when a dis
| tinguished academician recalled the at,
titude OF several newspapers In IN,
case of DR.. Scott Nearing al
the University of Pennsylvania. de.
claring that corresponding case
even more faErant In its nature, Al
Bryn Mawr. had been carefully hushec
up."
Inquiry revealed the presence Of issue,
raised at Bryn Mawr. not over the ques.
ton OF academic freedom, as In DR.
Hearings case. but upon the question OF
arbitrary and dictatorial conduct
mentioned in the Practical Proposals
OF the bulletin OF the American Associa.
ton Of University Professors, to safe.
guard against which. and against
charges being brought unjustly against
college heads, the association wished &c
provide suitable judicial bodies, com,
posed of members of the academic pro-
fession. which may be called into actor
before university teachers are dismissed
or disciplined"