The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-23
Washburn Instructors Make
Statement to Trustees.
Hope To Clear Up Misunder-
standings, They Assert.
N CHARGES AGAINST WOMER
He Is Accused of Threatening
Kirkpatrick Sympathizers.
"AutOcratic Methods" of Presi-
dent Are Not Endorsed.

A statement of their present posi-
tons which they say is designed TO
clear up certain issues and differ
ences which threaten to disrupt Wash
burn college" has been presented to
the board OF trustees by eight college
Instructors Attention is called to
dismissal of four members of the
faculty and other proceedings which
the mysterious dismissal of Prof. ].
2 kirkpatrick brought to light The
statement 10 signed by Roy. Towne, A.
M. Hyde, T. W. Todd, Albert J. Harno,
T.. Leigh Nudge. Ruth c. Kingman,
Nary W. Newson and Professor Kirk
patrick.
The instructors ask that the idea
that certain faculty members have
been maliciously spreading propa-
ganda about the college administra-
ton be dismissed as false. But there
"a however. an honest difference OF
opinion. they declare, held by a con-
siderable proportion of the faculty.
Cause OF Trouble.
The causes OF these differences they
cite is President p. p. Womers al
legged assertion OF the right OF veto on
all questions of academic concern
passed by the faculty during his abb
sence with the vice president in the
chair: OF the presidents alleged in
sistence upon employing instructors
in the various departments without
and Of the presidents alleged in
sistence upon putting his judgment
against all the members of the faculty
in giving credit to all members of the
s. a. T. G.
To illustrate one Of their cases. they
cite the case OF a violinist who wrote
TO Dean Whitehouse asking for a po-
sitiOn, and received a reply that there
was no vacancy In the department.
However. they claim. President Wo-
mer then hired the man without con-
sulting the dean.
Point Out Dismissals.
They point out the dismissal of. four
members OF the faculty without rea-
sons being given-the dismissal of
Dean Whitehouse. who served the col
lege in a creditable manner for ten
years; Miss Bullock. who served nine
years and was popular with the fac
ulty and students; Dean Bredin, who
resigned under pressure and whose
work was declared highly satisfac-
tory; and Professor kirkpatrick. who
served for twelve years and who is de-
clared TO have been one of the strong
est teachers in Washburn.
The instructors say they voted
whole-heartedly to endorse the presi-
dents plan for a committee which
Womer expressly stated was to advise
him on all matters of academic con-
Germ. Yet four days after the election
of this committee, Professor Kirkpat-
rick was asked to resign and the COM
mittee was not even consulted. This.
the instructors say, they consider a
breach of faith.
President Made Threats.
Charges that President Womer has
lately made repeated threats against
all who criticise the administration or
who openly sympathize with Profess
sor kirkpatrick with regard to his dis
missal are contained in the statement.
The dismissal of the four faculty
members, 1t is charged. has been
merely cases of personal difference
and not to the best interest of the
college.
A petition asking for an impartial
hearing for Professor kirkpatrick has
been circulated and signed by eleven
members Of the faculty. other mem
bers. It Is claimed. have expressed a
desire to sign, but say they dare not
do so because of fear of losing their
positions. The American Association
OF University Professors. it is said. is
conducting an investigation and a
charter has been obtain in the Amer
lean Federation of Teachers, which is
affiliated with the American Fedora
tion of Labor and has the backing OF
all local labor unions.