New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-13
Mediators Urge Limit on
Power of Dismissal of
Professors
Ask Cooperation
To Restore Harmony
WouldAbolish Interference
in Non-Academic and Nom
Financial Matters

The committee Of nine, faculty
body Of Columbia University appointed
70 act as intermediary between trustees
and professors, completed yesterday
report on the conditions which I'M
PEELED Professor Charles Austin Beard
TO resign from the university on Tues
day rather than remain in position
which he felt he held "by the day"
DR.. John Dewey, a vigorous pro-
ponent Of academic freedom" and
member Of the committee. did not sign
the report, and is said TO have resigned
from the committee rather than be con-
sidered as concurring in it, even re-
motely.
The report Of the committee. which
will be in the hands of the university
council when it meets on Tuesday, will
recommend:
That no professor be dismissed
without hearing before the fac
ulty Of which he is a member
That the trustees work in more
complete harmony with the commit
tee Of nine or any similar committee
which may take its place.
That as far as possible the trus-
tees control over non-administratlve
and non-fnancial matters be abol-
ished and that full power over edu-
cational and doctrinal matters be DEL
egated 10 q responsible faculty COM
mittee.
Stand on Cattell and Dana
In the second recommendation, urg-
ing closer harmony between the trus-
tees and the committee, some see
reference 10 the dismissal OF FRO
fessors J. Mex. Cattell and II: W: L.
Dana on Monday Of last week. me
Committee of Nine had suggested the
dismissal TO the trustees, but had
asked that a years leave OF absence
without pay be given TO Professor
Dana and that Professor Cattell re-
ceive his pay upon retirement.
If these three proposals should be
nut through il is pointed out that
nearly all the "revolutlonists' would
be satisfied But the spirit IN which
the Committee Of Nine Will make these
suggestions, il is understood, Will De
extremely mild. A member OF the
committee said last night: Legally, no
one except the trustees has a leg 10
stand son. The charter OF the unlVer-
sity. which was made nearly century
aro' places full control over nearly all
matters in the hands OF the trustees.
Unless the state Legislature amends
the charter we are unable to DO more
than petition the trustees, out or the
goodness of their hearts, TO delegate
Certain of their authority TO the lac
ulty." 49,
Committee Of Nine to save the sltua-
ton by moral suasion several OF the
faculties will present reports to the
university council showing dlscohteh'
over present conditions.
Trustees May Yield
Moreover, the many demonstrations
of graduate and undergraduate stu
dents, eliminating in mass meeting OF
Columbia College students yesterday
in favor Of Professor Boards stand, are
expected TO help convince the members
of the university council that some
thing must be done. II is believed thaI
the board of trustees will yield some
what il the university council, IN whlcn
il has full confidence, recommends
changes.
Although the members Of the board
OF trustees insist that there is no
reason for them to hold a special meet
ing. IL is apparent that they are inter-
ested in the revolt" at Mornlngslde.
Frederick Coykendall. a trustee, and
James Duane Livingston, who was
alumni trustee until last July, attended
the protest meeting of the college stu
dents in the gymnasium yesterday noon,
and Ambrose Dyer Henry, another trus-
tee, Joined them as the meeting
broke up.
None Of the three would say that ne
favored any changes in the admlnlstra-
tion of Columbia University. Resolu-
tons expressing regret that Professor
Beard had found it necessary to resign
and hoping chat the trustees and me
faculty would adopt Immediately what
ever measures may be necessary 10
hiring about a desirable spirit OF CO.
operation among trustees, faculty and
students" were passed at the student
meeting, at which {. P. WINS, H. pre-
sided.
II. II. Gulick. a graduate student at
Columbia, has been selected to give DR..
Boards course in party politics 70
undergraduates, Professor Howard &.
NcBain announced last night No sue
cessor for Dr. Beard in the graduate
department has been named yet Mt.
Gulick's appointment will take effect
Monday. He is a graduate OF Oberhn
College.