Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-17
Penn ALUMNI ASK
LEAVE FOR WOOD
Formal Request Made in Letter
Received From U. S.
Judge Thompson
MEETING is HE L D

Alumni Of the University of Pennsyl-
yania today formally requested the
Board of Trustees to grant General
Leonard Wood necessary leave OF abb
rence, but TO urge that he take up his
duties as the new head Of the Cnivcr-
sity as quickly rs possible. ,
The alumni's request was contained
in a letter written by Judge j. Whit
akcr Thompson, Of the United States
District Court. and was read at n
/ special meeting of the board held at
noon today in the office of Charles
Custis Harrison. chairman of the board
and former provost.
1 George Wharton Pepper, who has
acted for the board in negotiations with
the Secretary Of War concerning
General Woods assignment as Governor
General of the Philippines, indicated
before the meeting that an immediate
decision would not be reached.
/ '"Those members of the board present
at the meeting today" said Mr.. Pepper,
twill come to decision as to what is
best to do. and communicate their views
to absent members of the board by
telegraph. -,
"a final decision will not be reached
until the answers of the absent men,
bers have been received.
Present at the meeting today were
Mr.. Pepper. Mr.. Harrison, Judge Gcst,
Acting Provost .Penniman and Charles
L. Borie, Jr. The majority of tn"
members of the board are out of the
city and could not get here for the
special meeting of the board today.
Judge Thompson letter, cmbodylnS
the consensus of the alumni, follows:
'Mr. G. G. Harrison. Chairman, Board
! of Trustees, University of Penn
sylvanin.
"My Dear Mr.. Harrison-The situa-
ton which has arisen as Il result of the
recent communication from the Secretary
of War to the Governor as cx-oticio
president of the Board Of Trustees has
aroused intense interest among the
alumni of the University, and upon
learning that a meeting of the trustees
was to be held today, meeting OF the
sub committee upon selection of provost
was called for yesterday. Those present
desire me to convey to the trustees the
Impressions we have formed as to the
attitude OF the alumni toward the pres
ent situation.
"We all know that the election OF
General Wood as provost met with Such
enthusiastic and unanimous approval
by the alumni that they have been ready
to work zealously under his leadership
for the development md future great
ness of the University.
''As the time approached when II was
expected General Wood would enter
upon the duties of his office, the desire
to have him at the head OF the Uni
yersity affairs has grown in strength
and intensity.
"Whilc an estimate of the serious
ness of the emergency which may pro-
long his stay in the Philippines can only
he formed by General Wood himself and
by the President aud the Secretary of
War through information supplied b.
him, we feel that We express the senti-
ment of the alumni in urging that II
tic exigencreS Of the public welfare de-
mand a postpcnement by your board of
tie time when he may take up the duties
Of his Office, the influence of the Uni
yersity be exettcd to cause whatever
leave of absence it may be necessary and
eIpedient ~ gsaut to be us short as
possible.
every truly yours,
81. whitaker THOMPSON,
Chairman.
The trustees Mt their meeting today
heard n report from Mr. Pepper, who
returned from Washington last night
after a conference with Secretary Weeks.
at came to Washington for n con-
ference with Secretary Weeks. as the
agent Of the Board of Trustees in place
Of the chairman, Charles Gusts Harri-
son, who could not come" said Mr..
Pepper before the meeting. '"The board
deemed it expedient that the full situa
tion from the standpoint of the Gov
ernment be outlined. and Secretary
Weeks has been kind enough to amplify
his recent letter to the board requesting
General Woods release. | am return
ing to Philadelphia to make my report
and the attitude of the University vii
be determined by the members OF the
hoard -