New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-10
Walk Out Planned as Pro-
test Over Beard
Resignation
Cattell to Sue for
Libel and Pension
Professor Seligman Quoted
as Having Called the
Trustees Fools"

4. .ue.2. 20 organize general
,,ls.ou, Of .he student body at Co
..--h,. University as a protest against
80 resignation q Professor Charles A.
p.sro Uiu be made 81 the university
.sls ro~r. .ue. Professor Beard severed
.ss connection with the university yes
.erdsy after informing President But
ia- tina. the institution was controlled
sv = group o. "reactionary, v.sionlcss,
.s~-ov and med!avsl trustees
second sensational development in
.se so.called "wsr for free speech at
columbia came last night. when Pro-
lessor J. McKeen Cattell, who was last
n,.k dismissed from the chair Of psy-
ebology q, Columbia, made public cor
,e,pondence with Dean Harlan F. Stone
O.. the Columbia Law School, disclosing
.be fac, that he intends suing the
Columbia trustees for libel and & pen
SION due him. In one Of Professor Cat
ellis letters he quotes Professor (. R.
4. seligmsn as saying that the trustees
we're fools and most OF them
idiots"
Faculty to Investigate
On good authority il was earned
nat the faculty committee Of nine Of
me university will investigate the
Beard resignation.
The faculties Of political science and
OF Columbia College meet at o'clock
mis- afternoon. Professor Beard va,
member Of both faculties. and it Is
certain that in each case cognizance Of
his resignation and some action will be
taken.
Bu, for a certain element in the uni
yersity. which has clsshed before with
President Nicholas Murray Butler and
the trustees on the issue Of academic
freedom, the occasion was seized
eagerly as another opportunity for
protest" Twice yesterday attempts
o protest" we're nipped by the faculty.
The threat of the students strike
came as the climax Of day in which
the Columbia campus was alive with
action and brs.ling with the clash OF
opinions as the result of the unex-
pected action of the popular professor
Of political economy. Faculties and
Students alike were stirred by the issue
Of freedom Of speech raised by Pro-
lessor Beard in mis- resignatory letter.
What Students Threaten
Last night the following notice Was
eft at The Tribune Office by Colum-
bis student:
AT 9 O'Clock tomorrow morning
Wednesday,. as the students Of Co
lambia University will proceed to
heir recitations. handbills will be dis
.r!buted. reading as follows:
As
PROTEST
Against the Suppression Of Acs-
demic Freedom
DN t0e lIusLtce VI tO4HAibao
versity,
All Students Are Requested 20
CUT CLASSES
At II o'clock Wednesday morning,
and meet in general assembly on
the Library steps.
NO speakers have been announced.
he idea is 10 get general demon
s.ration-a walk-out. in fact-to show
ne feelings Of the students toward
ne resignation of Professor Beard and
n. whole attitude Of the trustees win
'egard 20 academic freedom
mischief. Thou Art Afoot'
What IS 20 happen after the crowd
assemblies and the crowd VIII sssemoIe
= for 10 other reason than out or
curiosity nobody know, MISCHIEF,
thou art afoot; take thou what course
thou wilt being the idea OF the or
sanizers of this demonstration.
That there Is discomfort all over the
campus is evidenced by the call ior
meetings at Hartley Hall this evening
Tuesday,, also by the at'empt MADE ~
me School Of journalism 20 get tne
students to walk out from the lecture
,oom "a soon as President Butler
should have begun speaking this after
aeon. The attempt was unsuccessful,
due TO the stringent faculty action IN
warning all students that 4 they dared
walk out Of the room they would walk
out Of the school forever.
The authorities at the school were
quite frightened, but the proponents
OF the movement decided TO call the
thing off since few students were will
ing 10 pledge themselves and risk ex-
pulsion. There was unanimous ap-
proval OF the sentiment, however"
Embryo Journalists Aroused
The fact that incipient attempts 70
break up President Buffers annual
address TO the School OF Journalism
we're made was confirmed. Two hastily
pencilled notices. requesting students
70 leave the room after President But
lef had started his speech, were posted !
9A the school bulletin board, but were
'smoyed By employees when the matter
vas brought TO their attention. The ,
my eeno Of the raging can pus battle f.
.nNaolng the lecture room was found in
me hghtness Of the applause which :
s'ee'ed the president at his appear
Shee and the end of his talk on "The f.
'ress and Public Opinion"
resident Butler made no reference /
Professor Boards resignation or the /
ien. ''' '''o