The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-06
dual CONTROL
PERILS BUTLER,
SAYS FACULTY
Athearn Custer Gives Rise
to Fear Rating May
Be Withdrawn.
CONTINUED From Page One

by North Central
In its adherance to the govern
ment by The downtown Office But
Ter. according to its own faculty
members, Butler fails to conform to
the standards of American universe
ties.
Just as the president Of uni
versity has no right to dictate to
directors how to invest their funds
or the general policies Of the uni
yersity," one faculty member de-
clared,' so the trustees have no
right to go over the head Of the
president and hire and fire in &C
cordance with political or financial
necessities"
Charter Is Ambiguity
The difficulty at Butler" he con-
tanned, arises from an ambiguity in
the university charter giving the
trustees the right to hire and fire at
will The charter is seventy-five
years old. 1t was drawn up by men
in a frontier country, themselves not
educated, before the American uni
versity system was developed.
THE old charter contemplated a
small school of possibly 100 students
with a close personal supervision.
But Butler in the years just be-
fore the depression, attained a
membership Of more than 1000 stu
dents. The charter now is an out
dated instrument As strictly con-
strued, it is contrary to the prac-
tees in our great American univer-
sites.
1T is high time something was
done about it.
Committee Suggested
Before the North Central Asso-
citation investigates Butler univer-
sity, the charter should be amended
to conform to the standard modern
practices in first rate universities.
Failing that, the trustees should
agree to the acceptance of certain
revislonS in their powers in order
to put Butler into line.
DR. Athearn's letter of accom-
plishment as president of the uni
a VerSity, which was published recently
made a fair suggestion that COM
mittee Of educators be appointed of
such outstanding quality that the
educational world could trust their
qualification implicitly.
HE suggested that this committee
be asked to investigate the whole
program at Butler and that the
president and the board Of directors
be bound to accept their findings.
Legacy Is Cancelled
Then if the trustees have moth
ing to hide; if they have the best
interests Of the institution at heart,
they should welcome such an in
vestigation to set the whole matter
before the public.
This committee should be formed
at once. 1t should have its report
ready at the earliest possible mo-
ment. The trustees should see the
findings and notify North Central
Association that Buffers house has
been cleaned.
THE alternative to this is the end
of Butler university.
Parents already are declaring
they will remove their children or
won't allow them to return another
year. One person, we have learned
definitely has cancelled a large
legacy for Butler from his will, fol-
lowing DR.. Athearn's dismissal.
Irwin Makes Comment
The City of indianapolis will not
tolerate second-rate or discredited
institutions. 1t is too great a city
to bear an educational stigma.
Responsible citizens should de-
mand that this whole miserable
business be cleaned up once and
for all. If any trustee feels in his
heart that he does not want such
a cleaning he should resign at once.
The sooner the better"
William G.. Irwin, Columbus capt.
talist and Butler director, told The
Times that he does not believe that
DR.. Athearn's dismissal and charges
that Butler was a victim of dual
control, would lead to ineligibility
of the university in North Central
THE action of the board in dis
missing DR.. Athearn is regrettable
of course" said Mr.. Irwin, but
the whole question has been under
consideration for a long time. While
I was his friend and helped him in
every way. I am convinced that
there was no other course open
+l,o,, Tho o,,o foIyo,,