Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-02
CUSTER Of HOWARD
PRESIDENT SOUGHT
DisSenSion Between DR.. John
sen and Board of Trustees
Brings Move for Dismissal.

Serious dissension between DR.. Nor
decai W. johnson, Howard University
president, and members Of the faculty
and board of trustees has eliminated
in movement to seek his removal at
an early date.
Drastic action, possibly involving the
filing Of numerous charges against the
president Of the colored university may
be taken at a meeting of the board of
trustees on April IL, 1t was learned to-
day.
First steps in the plan were discussed
several days ago at special conference
Of number Of the trustees, with John
H. Sherburne Of Boston presiding. The
latter. who Is chairman Of the board.
came to Washington TO arrange the
meeting, 1t is understood.
Movement Began Year Ago.
While runblings of dissa tisfaction
have been current for about year. the
such an acute stage that the trustees
are planning q crucial move.
The dissatisfaction is not the result
of any particular act of DR.. johnson. it
is pointed out, but arises from a series
OF "aggravating Things" These include
DR.. JohnsonS outspoken opinions which
have been considered radical his re-
ported effort to abolish the r. o. T. c.,
his so-called "belligerency" toward GER
tain officials. faculty members and trus-
tees, and other "intolerable conditions"
blamed on the president.
The board has sought to adjust the
differences, but recent developments are
said to have led to tentative decision
to blow the lid on" on the theory pub
ncity no longer can be STAYED on.
VIII Combat Custer.
DR.. johnson is said to be preparing to
combat any attempt to wreSt him from
his office. He was reported TO have gone
to Chicago, where he has many friends
following a recent effort to obtain vote
of confidence from the faculty. The
vote, it is understood, was refused.
Members of the board of trustees
are in possession of number of news
tanning objectionable quotations
credited to DR.. Johnson. The tenor OF
these quotations, it wes held, indicate
DR.. johnson has Communistic leanings.
Bankers "InsuIted."
Two prominent bankers, who are
members of the board are said to have
walked out CT a meeting of the boards
Finance Committee recently because
they felt DR.. johnson had insulted
them in discussing certain financial
problems.
There was wholesale" withdrawal
of members of the faculty of the Law
School q year ago, due to differences
between the dean of the school and DR..
johnson, and there has been discomfort
in the school internationally since then.
one member of the faculty said today.
The law professors who resigned in a
body were Chief Justice Fenton w.
Booth of the United States Court of
Claims, who was dean of the school,
Charles v. INLAY, Edward Stafford,
Dion Birney. Gilbert L. Hall and Dale
D. Drain They submitted their resig-
nations when DR.. johnson reorganiZed
the Law School by establishing day
classes, but did not actually step out
'irrevocably" until the president noti-
fed Dean Booth Of his intention to re-
duce the strength Of the evening school
teaching personnel.
Justice Booth. in his letter of resig-
nation, said: ut has never, bsen the
desire Of the faculty to exercise arbi-
trary power and authority, but it is
most discoraging to labor under the
members are to be wholly subordiuated
to superior authority and treated as in
competent to maange and conduct the
school"
A remark attributed TO DR.. johnson
in colored periodical, the Crisis. in
October, 1929, also is under fire. 1t is
claimed the remark, made in public
address, vas an implied affront" to
the District Supreme Court for its han
ding of the trial of Harry Sinclair, oil
magnate.