The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-16

Lovejoy Was Here.
When the storm was raging its
fiercest here Prof. A. o. Lovejoy, of
Johns Hopkins university, and presi-
Topeka and held conferences with.
both Kirkpatrick and Womer. Early
Sunday morning a telegram was re-
ceived from Professor Lovejoy that
the kirkpatrick case will be formal
ly and comprehensively nvestigated''
by the A. A. U. P. and that following
the investigation a public report on
the investigation" would be made.
According to Lovejoy, Kirkpatrick
was dismissed from the college fac
ulty because he Threatened the man
agement of the Kansas Free Fair with
prosecution on account of certain
gambling games being conducted in
the fair grounds during the 1915 fair.
Other reasons for the professors dis
missal are alleged to be that he tried
to start a movement among the fac
ulty members which had as its object
a raise in salary. Kirkpatrick was
also accused, according to Lovejoy, of
opposing the reelection of L. c.
Schnacke as a member of the college
board of trustees.
The college authorities today
laughed away the proposed 'fnvestiga-
ton" of the Kirkpatrick case and stig-
matized the whole action of the pro-
fessors' union as vain pretense" on
It was pointed out that Washburn
college is a member of the American
Association of Colleges and as such
takes its stand with the association in
roundly criticising the professors
union for 'its persistent and unwise
effort to establish in institutions of
higher learning certain standards
which are subversive OF orderly and
effective administration"
No Power Recognized.
The college authorities went on to
say that the association of college
professors has no power to investigate
the affairs of Washburn except as tte
college authorities voluntarily submit
to such an investigation-and this
they have made it clear they do not
intend to do.
''The announcement of Professor
Lovejoy that he will make a formal
and comprehensive investigation of
Washburn affairs must therefore be
regarded as more or less OF a pretense
inasmuch as such an investigation
could not in the nature of the case
be comprehensive without the consent
of the college authorities-and that he
will not receive" This was the at
titude of the college authorities ex-
pressed in so many words.
The Washburn men go farther and
say that Lovejoy's statement of
charges against Kirkpatrick is mis-
leading and is intended to draw at
tention from vital points to details of
an irrelevant nature.
Concerning the formal report of the
investigation which Lovejoy promises
the public, the college authorities
merely say that when Lovejoy issues
this report a full statement of the
case in hand will be given out by the
Washburn board. The board also says
that it will furnish the public with
such other information regarding col
Cite Other Cases.
And speaking of Investigations the
Washburn authorities cite two cases
of a parallel nature which occurred
recently. One of these is known as
the Parsons case at Colorado college
and the other is the famous Scott
Nearing case of the University of
Pennsylvania Both of these invest-
cations proved futile as the trustees of
both colleges took substantially the
same stand as that taken at Wash
burn.
Resignation Letter.
In speaking of te kirkpatrick case
today the matter of the letter of dis
missal was brought up. and for the
first time the copy, of the much dis
cussed document was on display. The
letter was released for publication for
the information of the public and
June 16, 1919.
Professor J. E. kirkpatrick. Bolder. Colo.
Ny Dear Professor Kirkpatrick:
In reply to your demand for state
ment of reasons for the action of the board
from fut the faculty Of Washburn College,
please permit me TO say that you can hard
discussed them with you a few months
back. and advised you that such action
might be taken.
Stated briefly, the board feels that the
severance of your connection with the coll
lege is absolutely necessary to the interest
of harmony and effective cooperation be-
tween the various groups that make up
the college-trustees. administration, facul-
ty, alumni and constituents.
been such that the relationships between
these various groups, in one way or anoth-
er; have been seriously disturbed, The adj
ministration in particular has been at
times very greatly embarrassed by your
actions, and various plans Of far-reaching
importance for the development of the
died. So serious. in fact, have been the
results Of your behavior in this respect
that several times. the members of the
board of trustees have discussed the ad-
visibility of asking you to resign from
the faculty. The only reason that such
action has not been taken was the hope
cherished by few of us that time went
on you might be able to adapt yourself
more perfectly to the college life.
The various agitations. however, among
faculty members that have occurred this
year. and in which you have had such
prominent paIt. make II very clear 10 the
board that as long as you are with the
college the peace of the college life will
be disturbed
The board, therefore, respectfully re-
quests your resignation from the faculty,
failing in which, you must consider your
self dismissed.
In order that no Injustice may be done
you. the board has instructed me to adj
wise with you in regard to the continuance
of your salary for limited period l
will be glad to take this matter up with
you at your convenience.
Very respectfully yours, (Signed)
p. p. WOMER.