Montana labor news., 1937-09-16
Students al University
Receive Letters Askinq
Them 10 Do Their Part.

Inasmuch as many of the students
of the University of Montana have
already received the following let
ter, it would only be fair to those
who have not seen it to let them
read it also. Hence the Montana
Labor News is publishing the letter
in order that the whole world may
know.
The American Student Union is a
factor in upholding freedom in the
universities; not only academic free
dom, but freedom Of action and free
dom of thought. The letter follows;
Dear Montana Student:
You remember that last year in
Missoula your librarian, Professor
Keeney, was dismissed and denied
the hearing to which he is legally
entitled. You probably know he was
dismissed a few days after he or
ganized a chapter of the American
Federation of Teachers on the cam
pus. Chapters of the A. F. T. in
many large universities have accom-
plished a great deal for the good of
teachers and students. The main
issue is academic freedom, so that
teachers a be open-minded, con-
cerned more with things which are
actually going to affect you in your
economic and social life after col
lege than only with set courses
and grades. Perhaps you were one
of the students who, realizing this,
prepared for a protest demonstra-
ton against this move Of President
Simmons and the moneyed interests
he represents. Just before the
demonstration was to begin, a vague
threat came to you, warning you of
expulsion or loss Of college credits
if you partook in such a demonstra-
ton. Do you sec how foolish such
threats are? You pay for the school;
you make up its most important
part; without you it could not run.
1t is up to you to run the school the
way you want it. But it is hard to
act without organization.
The American Student Union is a
powerful national organization. With
a local chapter on your campus,
when you Montana students say you
want Keeney re-instated, or when
you make some other demand that
is for your best interest, students
the world over will be standing be-
hind you and Strengthening your
voice. The Keeney case is not the
only one you will have to deal with.
Such important things as student
employment, arrangements of sched-
ule if you are working, lowering of
fees, installation of new courses, dis
missal Of inefficient professors will
be in your hands instead of in the
hands of persons who do not care
whether you make the grade or not.
The Keeney case represents only the
beginning Of a series Of such Incl
dents. The already intimidated and
insecure professors will be pushed
more and more under the copper
thumb that controls u state, pays
our press, and is getting a strangle-
hold on our schools. Each profess
sor is going to have to choose be-
tween looking for another job
(Which is hard to find) and staying
on to lose his integrity. To save
those professors who you know want
to be honest, and to benefit your
selves by learning whole truths in
stead of half truths, you must or
ganize. The Teachers Union, every
labor union and farmers union in
Montana, and the Missoula Trades
and Labor Council will staunchly
support you.
Simmons and his overlords did
not want a Teachers Union on the
campus and perhaps they will moi
want a Students Union. That is
Gust too bad" because there is not
a thing they can do about it. They
can't fire you the way they fired
Keeney. They can't hurt your stand
ing, enthusiastically, financially or So
cially. You have nothing to fear.
And a new security to gain.
Your friends are getting letters
like this. Write them your opinions
and ask theirs. Write to the Ameri-
can Student Union, liz E. 10Th ST.,
New York City. They will answer
all your questions.
Send contributions for the Keeney
Defense fund to Ruth MCGEE, Butte
Teachers Union, 2016 Phillips Ave
nue., Butte, Montana.
Membership in the A. S. U. pre-
pares you for the life you want to
live while you're in school and after
| you graduate.
With best wishes for you and your
university,
Russell Winton, Hardin, Montana.
American Student Union.