The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-12-06
GAG ON PRESS
ISCHARGED TO
De PAW HEAD
Dr.. Oman Both Praised
and Criticised by Students
and TOWnSpeopIe.
POPULAR WITH CHURCH
Efforts to Dominate School
Are Scored by Critics of
President.

CSluCills
Both Scathing criticism and high
praise Of DR. G. Bromley OMAN,
De Paw university president. have
been revealed by public knowledge
of the investigation of the Ameri-
can Association of University Pro-
| feSSOrS.
Controversy has ragged for some
time among alumni, faculty, stu
dents and townspeople of Green
castle concerning policies which
some critics claim are "czaristiC."
The probe was called to investi-
gate particularly the abrupt dismiss
sal of Ralph Hufferd. chemistry pro-
fessOr, last June, and generally. the
charge that faculty privileges had
been Sabotaged.
DR.. OMAN. brilliant speaker,
has been termed a liberal and hui
manitarian" by his followers. He
is particularly popular in the
Methodist church and is regarded
by many as in line for bishopric.
Student Reporter Ousted
Frequently demanding the right
of intellectual freedom, Dr. Oman
has been labeled by critics as a
demagog. They point to the per-
sistent cenSure of the student press,
which had been the only agency for
free expression.
A student reporter serving as dra-
/ 11ntiP o1,irio x1yoc frO,,,
| capacity this semester when he
severely criticized a play presented
by the speech department. The en-
tire chapter of Sigma Delta Chi,
Journalism fraternity, was placed on
probation last year, following the
| publication of a humorous maya
! zine.
The most outstanding case Of
muzzling the campus press was in
1882, when two students were placed
on probation for critiCizing the dean
OF women, Miss Katherine Alvord,
for disciplinary measures. Members
of Sigma Delta Chi at that time
attempted to publish a number of
opinions demanding a free press,
| buU IlS1uly we're banned.
Well liked and praised during his
| first five years at De PAW. DR.. Ok
MANS popularity has waned into
Smoldering resentment, faculty OBJ
| servers claim. They point out that
his efforts to dominate the univer-
sity we're met by growing disap-
prevail until conservative professors
have expressed indignation.
Hufferd Case Sited
The dismissal of Professor HUFF
ferd, chemist with a notable re-
cord, has brought the issue to a
! point where stands are taken openly.
Opinion has been divided equally.
1t wat learned by The Times. Critics
say that the precariouS status of a
professor under the present admin
lStratlon has silenCed many voices.
Professor Hufferd, it is pointed
out, he'd a letter rehiring him in
the spring when a second letter
dismissed him few days after close
Of the school in June.
Those favorable to DR.. Oman
have declared that the president
merely was attempting to facilitate
university problems by centralizing
the authority.
Critics say that faculty discrim-
nations have been made on the
basis of loyalty to the administra-
ton and that an unofficial stool
pigeon system has been in opera
ton. They point to the "black
list" of 1882, when more than 100
students were called before the
president to answer charges of
drinking.
Many opposed to administration
policies declare that the fault does
not lie alone with DR.. Oman but
in internal university politics in
Yolving William Blanchard, dean of
the college of liberal arts.
Disregards Alumni, Is Claim
A trustee interviewed by The
Times stated that apparently DR..
Oman had little sympathy with
alumni and had frequently disre-
garded their suggestions as too
sentimental" He further said that
DR.. Oman had managed to gain
control Of the trustees board by OBJ
tanning the election Of men favor
able to him.
Other alumni, approving heartily
DR.. OXnam's liberal ideas. objected
to his methods. Although there
was a strong opposition movement
among local alumni several years
ago, graduates have kept silent. One
critic said that the alumni associa-
ton itself was under control of Dr..
Oman with a Greencastle store
proprietor who does a large business
with students, as president.
The townspeople have been most
open in their criticism of DR.. Oman
and def1ed the university a year ago
by passing an ordinance taxing in
dependent student statesmen COM
peting with town businesses. Le-
gionnaires in Greencastle were OUT
ragged over the dismissal Of Profess
sor HuferS, fellow member.
Next: Connection of r. o. T. C.
dispute with faculty strife.