Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-15
PROFESSOR At Penn
PERMITTED TO QUIT
Resignation of Or. j. Russell
Smith, Because of Low Wages
t Of Aides; Accepted IS,
hREFUTE GERMAN CHARGES

j Despite lack Of any official announce
iment, it is understood that trustees of
the University Of Pennsylvania have
accepted the resignation Of A. J. Rus
sell Smith, Of the Wharton School, who
will leave Penn on May 1 to go to
Columbia University because of the
starvation wages" paid his ten as
sistants. The trustees met yesterday.
Nothing further was made known as
to the trustees attitude on the ques-
tion of German trained professors at
the University. Samuel F. Houston,
treasurer Of the institution, brought
forth this side Of the issue just after
Professor Smith announced his resigna-
ton. 3. - aa.
Mr.. Houston at that time said that
mo tears would be shed" at the Uni
yersity at the resignation of any Ger
man trained faculty member. Pro-
Iessor Smith spent two semesters in the
university of Leipsic studying econom-
les following his graduation from Whar-
ton School. Later he returned to the
University of Pennsylvania. where he
became fellow in economies and the
degree of doctor Of philosophy was con-
ferred upon him. ts''t = -
E j Details Not Available
All three informants as to the nro-
ceedings of, Yesterdays meeting merely
snnted when asked concerning the oues.
99nt None would,give, his view Of the
Provost Smith admitted that rthe
question probably concerned him more
fian " did Professor Smith, because he
nad spent three years in German Uni
tersitiese - and received degrees there.
Comment Of Samuel E. Houston, a
trustee, that "the departure of Ger
man trained professor causes no tears
OF regret" prompted the Pennsylva-
man, the student daily, to make
sharp answer in an editorial in yester-
days issue. = =
IT is regretted, indeed" saws the
publication, that Mr.. Houston has
expressed himself so apparently with
out forethought regarding Doctor
smiths training in Germany. Most Of
the remarks made have been discounted
because of their very nature. Doctor
smith should leave us enjoying the same
amlcable relations which have charac-
terlzed his long term Of service.'
aF Editorial View
Regarding the salary question. the
PENNSYLVANIA, in an editorial, said:
what every one wants to see is a
:, dlscontinuation of further designations
among faculty members. There is but
one thing which will bring this about
That one thing is money. Not that our
instructors are money mad; il such
were the case we would have no faculty.
Fart of the reward for teaching comes
froR that indescribable something
which we call love of profession This
something will always be part of
the compensation, but it cannot be made
too large a part. Creditors do not aS-
cept 1t in payment of legitimately con-
tracted debts. The recognized need,
then, is for money. Z ~
This money may be gotten in one or
three ways. Tuitions may be increased,
endowment funds may be augmented or
appeals may be made to the state for
further support. The problem is IT,
tanic one. ...'
pennsylvania has been and is a
RfeuI lnStltutlOH, Culeuy DeCuuSe OF ner
admirable faculty. The teaching staff,
after all, is the determining factor in
considering the worth of any educa-
tionaP institution, and no one appre-
ciates more than the students them!
selves the inestimable value of our
superb faculty as it now exists. Penn
sylvania will not continue in her great
ness, therefore, if one after one, these
powerful minds are cut loose and drift
away to business life or other universi-
ties. We have been so well cared for
in the past that there is no reason to
believe we will be neglected in the
future; but it is just as well that those
who cor troll the University be alive to
these large issues"