Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-09-18
CASE
STUMPSSTATE
SCHOOL BOARD.
Whether to Retain Pro-
fessor Who Criticized
Draft, or Not, Puzzles.
Dixon Would Drop Mat
ter, Freeman Urges
He Be Ousted.
Special to The Tribune.

Special to The Tribune.
Helena. Sept. 17-While the mem
bers Of the state board Of education
at their meeting Saturday afternoon
seemed to be generally of the mind
that Arthur Fisher. professor of law
at the University of Montana, was
not the proper man to be teaching law
to the boys and girls of the university,
the majority of the members did not
think it wise summarily to discharge
him but felt that he should be retained
until the close Of his contract, Sep
tember. 1922
J. w. Freeman. Of Great Falls, was
strongly opposed to Mr.. Fisher and
wanted him dismissed while the at
torney general inclined to the view
that he should first be given a public
hearing under the rules of the board.
Governor Joseph Mr. Dixon was in
favor of retaining him and expressed
the belief that to discharge him would
result in tearing up the institution.
Will Ponder 1t Sunday.
Various motions and resolutions
were proposed during the long after
noon wrangle over the disposition of
the educator, against whom the Amer
lean legion had preferred charges at
the meeting in July. but no action was
taken and the board finally adjourned
further consider the matter
When the Fisher matter was
brought up at the afternono session.
lengthy report prepared by Chan
cellor Elliott was presented. This
consisted of sort of transcript of
the charges brought by the legion. the
reply Of Prof. Fisher. various letters,
opinions and the report of Dean c.
w. Leapheart. of the law school, and
President G. H. Clapp, of the uni
In the latter, Dean Leapheart and
President Clapp disagreed with Prof.
Fisher as to his attitude towards the |
draft and as to his teachings, but ex-
pressed their belief that he could not |
De called upon to resign from the fac |
llty upon those grounds.
Elliott For Forcing Off Paper.
Chancellor Elliott proposed resolu-
ion to the effect that Fisher be re-
aimed upon the faculty. but that he
lis connection with the New North
vest, the community daily paper now
,eing publisher at Missoula. Governor
Dixon prepared a resolution similar
o the Elliott resolution, but it elimi-
lated the reference to the New North
vest and required Fisher to cease his
outside of his regular uni
'ersity work
J. W. Freeman insisted that it would
'e an outrage to retain upon the fac
llty man of Fishers calibre. basing
t upon Fishers own statement that
le would teach his pupils to follow
heir own inclinations in the event OF
heir being again called upon to take
art in war in which their country
vas involved. He moved resolution
hat Fisher be discharged, but failed
0 obtain second.
Governor Dixon expressed the belief
hat things should be permitted to take
heir own course. but Rankin and
freeman held that action should at
nee be taken rather than to delay.
Newspaper Fight Involved. |
Governor Dixon held that this was a
awspaper fight. but Mr.. Freeman said
lat he did not care how the fight
arted as he was more interested in
e facts that the fight had brought to
yht
John Dietrich was inclined to the po-
ton that Fisher should be retained,
I'd Frank Eliel was at first of the
me opinion but later on became less
,sitive in his stand.
Tom Busha, state commander of the
merican Legion, was asked by the
ard if the Legion would drop the
after providing the board decided to
more it, but he replied that the Legion
,uld not drop the case.
1t was suggested that Fisher be dis 6
arged and given his years pay or 6
,e that he be given years leave of t
sence. None of the suggestions, res S
utions or motions were acted upon. n
In addition to Governor Dixon and n
torney General Rankin, the members h
the board in attendance are Miss
~ Trumper, superintendent Of public "
,truction; J. w. Freeman, Great 2
Ills; Frank Eliel, Dillon; A. ]. vio- n
te, MiSsou1a; John Dietrich, Helena; t,
J. Line, Columbus; w. Spain. Boze- Ia
N, and G. n. Foote, Kalispell. .