The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1935-03-16
Pres. Mordecai johnson, Howard
University, Again Under Fire

odds with many OF him major pro-
fessors and administrative officers
There seems TO be no abatement OF
this strife. so much so that he
University is frequently referred e
as the "War College" Now Mr.. Sec
rotary, you must know fully well
that IL is utterly impossible for the
educational and character building
processes to function amidst such
strife and confusion as this.
Sometime ago you ordered an in
NostigatiOn II rumors concerning
the misapplication of public funds.
Your investigators found such
startling irregularities and mis-
fcasance that they recommended
the advisability Of requesting Presi-
dent Johnson's resignation. The
vast ma jority of the faculty, alumni
and of the interested public as well,
believe that without prejudice for
or against President Johnson. his
usefulness in connectio with How
ard University is at an end.
think | ought to add that the
lalunnl faculty and Trustees join
ed in. all but 10 a man. In welcom-
ing the advent Of President Jhon-
son is the first colored President oil
this great educational enterprise.
He received their unanimous sup
port as long as his own conduct
made II possible 1t would indeed
be a great calamity to the Colcred
race should the first colored Presi-
dent proved a failure. Perhaps
lad better say that 1t Is great
calamity to the Colored race that
the first olored President has prev
ed failure. There Is absolutely nc
wisdom In perpetuating ard inten'
styling that calamity. The tuiver'
sity merely selected the wrong in
ldiyidual with whom to conduct the
experiment. The failure of Morce
cal Johnson Is not the failure OF thu
lColored race. DR.. X. X. Moten o
lTuskegee. Or. John Hope OF Allan
lta University. and DR.. McCrerey {
johnson G. Smith University haV
lconducted these educational trus
with efficiency and satisfaction
"A number OF years. There is no re
son why a satisfactory coiored IN
~ might not oe found 20 succ
lPresident Johnson al HOWARD
versity.
Al the risk OF wearyfng you
venture TO add that DIR. Morde
>" w. Johnson Is man or gr'
h powers and possibilities. He p'
r seses unusual facilities OF spec
4 and persuasive power OF public a
+. peal. His high qualities and attai
Iments, however, are better suited
other than TO the educational fiel
His mind does not move on IN
educational axis, he is essential
a prophet. an evangelist. mora
and social reformer. He has the In
fallibility complex natural 10 a.
prophets. which dlsqualifies hir
Off working In institutional har
ness
That large financial and materia
Igins have come TO Howard univer
lsity under the present administra
ition, cannot be gainsaid DR.. John
and universities at that period ha
OF his administration. All college
of credit for the good things whic
have come during the early year
lever TO claim more than a medium
son Is too fair minded a man. how
dumped into their laps more mon
ey than they know what to do with
Those in charge Of snch lnstitu
tions at the time. deserved litti
more credit than the river bed cal
claim for the freshet which over
flows II.
Allow me Mr.. Secretary, to com
mend and compliment you tor you
steadfast interest In the welfar
of the Colored race, both before an,
since you became Secretary OF tn
Interior. Your interest in the wei
fare of Howard University is ap
preciated and extolled by trustees
faculty an alumni and the Negr'
public throughout the Unite,
States. This interest cannot b.
conferred In any individual who's