New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-09
Prof. Beard Quits
Columbia and
Hits Trustees
Continued from page 1

are his real peers. ] am sure that
when the people understand the true
state of affairs IN our universities
they will speedily enact legislation
which will strip boards of trustees of
their absolute power over the intel
lectual life Of tho institutions under
their management.
"ln severing relations with my en-
ployers | do not leave the great re-
public of Columbia students, alumni
and professors. With them | have
ties that cannot break while | live.
And 10 you, sir, | am deeply indebted
for the courtesy and thoughtful con-
sideration that l nave always re-
ceived at your hands.
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) CHARLES A. BEARD"
~ think that this action will clear
the air" said Professor Beard last
evening. It's purely on the ground Of
academic freedom Of speech. think
that ! have been identified sufficiently
with movements designed 70 further &C
tive prosecution of the war TO make il
clear that | am no pacifst. The trus-
tees have been trying to pigeonhole the
professors and treat the students as
kindergarten pupils. hope that my
move will be Endorsed by some Of my
older colleagues"
Some OF the students believe that
something mohe than Endorsement"
may De expected from other members
OF the faculty. THE Spectator" will
point out editorially this morning the
possibility of secessionist movement
among them.
with his students Professor Beard
enjoyed the utmost popularity. The
greatest complimement in the power of
the student body was rendered to him
upon the retirement Of the late J. How
ard Van Amringe, the beloved dean of
the university. By popular vote the
students declared Professor Beard their
choice for the position.
Advocate of Straight Talk
To his associates on the faculty and
70 the students, who concealed their
respect for him under the title "Uncle
Charley" Professor Beard has been
known as an advocate and exponent of
straight thought and straight talk.
With others Of the faculty, among
whom was Professor Cattell, Professor
Beard frankly voiced his disapproval of
the domination of the faculty by the
trustees.
The view which some members of the
faculty take of his resignation was ex-
pressed by Professor John Dewey, Of
the department of philosophy. 81 re-
gard the action of Professor Beard" he
said, "as the natural consequence Of
the degrading action taken by the
board of trustees last week"
Professor James Harvey Robinson. OF
the department of history, announced
that he would have statement to
; make to-day on the resignation Of Pro
lessor Beard. 81 regard Professor
] Beard" he said, "as one of the greatest
, most important and valuable professors
in the university, and I very greatly re-
great his resignation"
Professor Beard and many of his fel-
lows who disapproved of the enforced
retirement of Professors Cattell and
Dana never shared their views on the
war. Their condemnation of the trus-
tees action was based on their convic-
ton that 10 was an assumption of I'M
warranted authority and a direct in
fringement of the rights Of the faculty
In particular Professor Beard has
long insisted on the right and even
the necessity of open discussion OF
every public issue. His vigorous
voicing Of his views in April, 1916, al
a national conference on community
centres resulted in the trustees Of the
university summoning him to explain
his speech.
Newspapers had quoted him as say
ing: LET them yell TO hell with the
Stars and Stripes if they feel like it,
Professor Beard explained that he sim
ply had opposed the closing of a pub
lie forum because a speaker had raised
that cry there, saying that if such men
existed II was a good thing TO have
them expose themselves in public. He
had never countenanced disrespect to
the flag, he said.
Less than year afterward Profes-
sor Beard led a Columbia delegation
10 Washington 20 urge upon Congress
an immediate and vigorous war against
Germany. On the eve of his departure
for Washington he denounced as pro-
German the give honorable methods
of avoiding war" which the Emergency
Peace Federation was calling to the
attention of the public and Of Con-
gress. Professor Beard declared that
there was but one honorable method
OF avoiding war, namely an immedi-
Alt anu obNp4uNc hDdUOODmeDI OF It's
criminal methods by Germany"
Professor Beard was graduated from
De Paw University In 1898. and stud
led at Oxford. Cornell and Columbia
before joining the faculty Of the last
university in 1907. He has been head
Of his department since 1915 and is the
author of several volumes on history
and politics which are widely used as
textbooks.
Among his works are Economic In
depreciation OF the American Constitu-
tion," Economic Origins of Jefferson
ian Democracy" and Contemporary
American History" He has almost
completed n volume dealing with the
Civil War. In 1915 he was selected as
supervisor of instruction of the Train
ing School for Public Service, founded
by Mrs. Z. II. Hartman.
II was largely due 70 Professor Boards
influence that Ruskin College was es-
tablished in oxford University After
obtaining a degree from the English
university Professor Beard returned oc-
cssionslly 10 deliver lectures on Ameri-
can history and government.
He said last night that he intended
20 do some writing upon the subject Of
university freedom. He could speak
now. he said. with reasonable assurance
that his views woulG be accepted as ms