The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-07-21
State Board of Administra-
ton Hands Letters on Uni
versity Row to Principals
Involved in the Controversy
Started by Presidents De.
mands for designations
WILLIS, LADD TO GO
Hints Made by State Board
that They Should Sever Re-
lations, While Prof. Libby
Is Expected to be Retained.
Kane's Charges Are Not
Sustained, Board Says

SuStalneQ, DOdIu OdyS
Grand Forks, N. D. July 21:-
Letters from the board OF admin
istration setting forth the action OF
tho hoard on the recommendation OF
President Thomas F. Kane Of the
State University, that Dean II. +.
Willis, professor o. G. Libby and
Professor A. ]. Ladd be retired from
the University faculty were received
todav by the parties interested at
the same time that the board con-
ycned for meeing at~the Unlvers-
ity. 49,
The board, while finding that the
charges made by President Kane are
not sufficient to warrant the remov-
al of the three men in question, con-
ours in the conclusion of the faculty
investigating committee that one or
both parties to the controversy
sever official connection with the
University.
The letter to President Kane
merely acquaints him with the find
ings Of the board and at the same
time informs him that approval pre-
viously given by the board to his
Recommendation for the creation
of a graduate school, appointment
Of dean of men, and an assistant TO
the president is rescinded. .-..
Hints For Two to Quit
In the letter to Dean Willis the
board states that it approves the
conclusions Of the faculty commit
tee and "believes that you will sim-
mcdiately arrange your future plans
to follow the suggestion which the
conscientious judgment Of the COM
mittce deems for the best interest OF
the University"
Professor Libby is informed that
these conclusions "should serve to
guide your action in relation to the
University"
Professor Ladd is told that "in
view of the fact that the two years
normal course in the school of edu-
cation will be discontinued in 1923,
we recommend that you be given a
wears leave of absence on half pay
at that time, and during the said
year you sever your relations with
the University"
Two years ago group OF the
professors, among whom were some
of the men asked to resign by the
Board attempted to secure the res
ignation of President Kane from the
University. They were unsuccessful
and peace was patched up by which
the parties of the controversy agreed
to forget the past and attempt TO-
work together for the good OF the
University and of North Dakota.
Fight Reopened,
The fight was openly staged again
when President Kane notified Dean
Willis, and Drs. Ladd and Libby that
he would recommend to the board
that they be not reelected to serve
the University for another year.
This recommendation was presented
to the state Board Of Administers
tion.
The men when notified Of the ac-
ton of the president appealed to
the committee of the faculty which
under the University rules had a
right to hear such an appeal and
present finding to the board.
This Faculty committee made its
investigation and reported to the
Board. It went farther and report
ed that a condition of unrest had
existed in the University for some
time past and that it seemed to be
to the best interests Of the Univers-
ity that one of the parties to the
controversy be eliminated from Uni
versity life. The committee did not
place the blame for the conditions
of unrest upon either the president
or the three professors listed as op-
posed to him..
The men concerned are among the
most prominent in the University
life. DR.. Kane has been president
of the University since 1918 coming
to the position from The presidency
of Olivet College in Michigan.
History Of Leaders
DR.. Kane is graduate Of DePauw
University in Indiana, received his
doctors degree from Johns Hopkins
and has been engaged in educational
work most of his life He was teacher
in Lewis College and had his first
experience in executive work at that
school. He returned to Johns Hop
kins as afellow in Latin and then be-
came principal of the acadamy of
Olivet College of which college he
was later president. He became
president of the University Of
Washington in 1903 and remained
there until 1914, short term as
president of Olivet preceding hi7
election to the presidency Of North
Dakota University.
DR.. A. J. Ladd has been at the
school for a number of years. He is
professor of Education and chairman
of the graduate committee. He is
graduate of the University of Mich
igan, having received his doctorate
there. Before coming to North Da,
i