Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-01
PRESIDENT TARGET Of FLOWER
BARRAGE WASHINGTON K|DD|ES
GROUP
TELL why They ARE
LEAVING CLARK

Boston. May 31.-Chargcs that
changes in the policy of Clark Uni
versity at Worcester have injured
the standing of the institution are
made by five men who have left or
about to leave the university ia
Guilty in statements published in the
Boston Transcript today. The
Transcript also prints an cxplana-
ton by President Wallace w. At
wood of the University's present
policy.
The five men are Doctor Edwin G.
Boring, associate professor of psy-
chology at Harvard: Doctor Frank
II. Hankins, professor of sociology at
Smith; Doctor Carroll c. Pratt, in
structor in philosophy and psy-
chology at Harvard. Doctor kimball
Young. assistant professor of psy-
chOlogy at Clark, who will leave next
month to return to Oregon and Doc
tor Harry f. Barnes, professor of
history at Clark, who will go to
Smith next month. DR.. Atwood sue
! cecded President C. Stanley Hall,
eminent psychologist, in 1920.
All five professors complain of the
predominance of the school of geo.
graphy at Clark and the discon-
tinuancc of various other depart
ments. Doctor Boring says that he
| was anxious to leave Clark because
| it seemed to him that 1.-The policy
was intended to result in the dis
! establishment of the university, in
| so far as the university exists in the
prosecution of graduate work and
| research of high standard in a
number of allied departments"
DR.. Hankins says he resigned be-
:. use of 1.-The gradual destruction of
spirit of free intellectual activity
which had characterized the insti-
| tuition"
Dir. Pratt says it seems to him I'M
! wise to remain at Clark in view of
| his inability to secure from the adj
ministration any assurance as to the
| permanence of psychology as a
! graduate department.
| DR.. Barnes and DR.. Young assert
| that President Atwood's policy has
| resulted in lack of morale among the
| faculty and the student body.
In his statement President Atwood
suggests that the day has arrived
when different graduate schools OF
| American universities might well
| consider a degree of concentration in
, their work. so as to avoid unneces-
| sary duplication. He says that when
| he assumed the presidency the time
| was ripe for the establishment in
| America of n geographical institute
| for a graduate school of geography
! t:>ause there was n demand for in
formation regarding all sections OF
| the world and a necessity for the
American people to become better
posted regarding international al
fairs. The two years operation OF
She school of geography at Clark
he says. has been successful ant
along with it the policy is to expand
the department of history and inter
| national relations and to give specla
! emphasis to the field of economies
1.-THE policy at present in tht
graduate department of Clark" NJ
| emphasizes, now centerS about thu
study of larger national and inter
national questions" Remarking tina
the staff Of the department of psy
chology has been reduced becaus'
of a notable decrease in the demand
for graduate instruction in psy
chology at Clark after the retire
ment of President Hall. and citins
the discontinuance OF other depart
ments. he declares that the aim IL
devcloping the new policy is to max
new and real contributions Z
American education and research
distinct from those of other univer
stiles in this country. The polio.
is for concentration. No attempt vii
be made to open departments which
cannot he properly manned ans
J financed"
In a separate statement Presiden
Atwood says that of the five mei
making the statements today oni'
Dr.. Hankirs held what was common
IL interpreted as permanent posi-
ton on the faculty and that the 9th
ers were on temporary appointment
DR.. Harkins left of his own free VII
| to accept another position ne adds