New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-10
Students Threaten
Protest Strike at
Columbia To-Day
Continued from page /

in resigning and condemnation Of the
Columbia trustees were contained in
communications which showered upon
Professor Beard. Spectator" the Co.
lumbis University daily, yesterday
printed laudatory editorial captioned
"The Call 10 Battle" II read in part:
by his resignation Professor Beard
has taken the initiative in voicing the
protest of large portion Of the faculty
against the control of a small and ac-
tive group Of trustees The reasons
behind the opposition of this group Of
faculty members are only slightly re-
lated to the question Of pacfsm
Professor Beard Defended
Really the basis is far deeper and
far more important. Professor Beard
and the men supporting his opinion
have never done grave injury 20 the
university by any public agitation
against the conduct of the war. The
real purpose Of the men who indorse
Professor Boards action is TO uphold
the freedom of the faculty from any
interference from such an admins
trative body of the university as the
board of trustees.
THE opposition has been growing
for at least two years, and the removal
of two professors last week only
served to bring the matter 70 head.
The university as a private institution
has a little right to inquire into the
teaching of the faculties under It's
jurisdiction, but things have come to
"A sorry state when the leading pro-
fessors of the university have to resort
90 resignation and threats of resigna-
ton TO be allowed 70 present before
students supposed TO be intellectually
capable of correct decisions any system
Of thought. however novel and radical
1t may be-
Barnard Affected. Too
To show their sympathy without TAX
ink the direct-actionist methods OF the
male students, eighty Barnard College
girls who were in Professor Beard
classes adopted resolutions expressing
their regret at his resignation. A com
mittee Of three was appointed 10 BRING
the matter before the meeting OF the
Undergraduate Association to-day.
After Professor h. r. A. Seligman, OF
the department of political science,
had intimated that the faculty commit
tee of nine, of which he is chairman,
would take up the Beard resignation,
Professor James Harvey Robinson,
head of the history department., said
that the whole situation at Columbia
would be laid before the American As
sociation of University Professors at
its next meeting in November.
Professor Cattell gave out a lengthy
letter, which he wrote TO Professor
Harlan F. Stone. dean of the Law
School, early in October.
In il he said: 81 fear that you dis
approve of my views on war though
they were shared by most of my col
leagues a few months ago but ! am
sure that you know that the letter
which wrote TO members OF the Con
eress did not oppose the effective
enforcement of the laws of the United
States and was not an act OF sedltlon
or treason the alleged grounds OF my
dismissal By the trustees.
DO YOU care 20 give me advice on
the legal questions involved IN the
case? Professor Seligman, speaking rs
acting dean Of the graduate faculties
and chairman of the committee OF nine
OF the council. told me last spring that
if | we're dismissed he hoped ! would
take the question before the courts IN
the interest of academic freedom. He
said that had accomplished more than
any one living TO improve university
conditions: that the trustees are
fools; that most of them are idiots
at would be not only common de-
cency, but also common sense. for the
trustees TO pay the pension due me.
which can be done by the purchase of
an annuity. if that is preferred. Other
wise there will ultimately be unrest
among members Of the faculty; law
suit will bring out facts concerning the
president. the trustees and the uniyer-
sitv which will not be Of service to
them.