New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-28
Columbia Run Like
Department Store,
Prof. Beard Writes
Teacher Who Resigned De-
clares University Is at
Level Of a Factory

Professor Charles A. Beard brackets
Dr Nicholas Murray Butler. president
Of Columbia University, with It's trus-
Zoos in an article in this weeks issue
90 The New Republic" in which fro-
lessor Beard explains in full his res'g-
ton from the university faculty III
fis letter OF resignation when ne
y.rotc 10 Dr.. Butler on OCTOBER . 10. 10.
sassor Board characterized some OF IH inc
trustees as men of no stahul''e :"
,So world of education, VINO are INaC-
tiorarv and visionless IN poilI,cS' N"i
ro,y and medieval IN religion a..
T., That epistle he addressed Ut; Du.-
Icr a. the man TO whom i am ueeP,E
;,,dob+ad for the courtesy and thoughI-
fuI consideration that / nave al"aG ,
received at your hands but III 'he
rtaeons for his resignation gwen -,
"Tbe New Republic Professor bSsru l
mentions DR.. Butler almost as 80 ~
as the trustees. a summary Oh INC
reasons follows: nj. e.
The failure o. President BCtier 70
consult the faculty of pohue"I SCI
once in the selection OF inc huge
fessor John W. Burgess.
CriIling by Francis :. Bangs and
Frederic X. Coudert, trustees Of Co
Iumbja. i'm an inquisition Of PROBES
sor Beard's views and teachings
following has defence. OF the use OF
nublic schools for a discussion OF
nublic questions in spite OF an un-
fortunate incident Of one speaker
wbo was alleged 20 have said at one
~ those meetings: ITO hell with the
flag ., =,
The trustees plan, announced IN
March. 1917, for general inqusi-
tiou. which the faculty of political
SCIENCE refused 10 countenancc.
Dismissal OF Professors Dana and
Cattcu by the trustees, IL spite OF
q recommendation to the contrary
by tbc committee Of nine represent
ing the teaching force.
The previous summary expulsion
of another professor by President
Butler. for which he refused to give
reasons.
The dismissal Of DR.. Leon Fraser,
who was offensive to Mr. Bangs, be-
cause of his activities in the Associ-
alton for international Cancellation.
President Buffers aversion to pro-
gressive ideas and his blocking pro-
motion Of members of the faculty
who were Unacceptable"
Information from two responsible
officers Of the university that an
other doctrinal inquisition Was
scheduled by a small group of tras-
tees, unhjndered, if not aided, by
llr. Butler in an effort to drive out
or humiliatc or terrorize every man
who held progressive, liberal CT UNI
conventional ideas in 10 way con-
nected with the war.
Professor Beard writes, in conclu-
sion:
"The institution was to be reduced
below the level OF q department store
or factory, and / therefore rendered
my resignation. ! make 10 claims on
behalf of academic freedom, though
think they are worthy of consideration.
have merely held that teachers should
not be expelled without full and
fair hearing by their peers, surrounded
by all the safeguards OF the judicial
process.
Professors in Columbia University
have been subjected TO humiliating
doctrnal inquisitions by trustees, they
have been expelled without notice OF
hearing. and their appointment and
promotion DEPEND upon securing, IN
advance, the favor Of certain trustees
Without that favor scholarship anc
learning avail nothing.
These facts I submit 20 the can
did and impartial reader. ] believe
that they constitute full and un'
answerablc indictment Of the prevail
ing methods 81 Columbia University
under the administration OF DR.
Nicholas Murray Butler"