Montana labor news., 1939-10-26
why WERE THE u.
Professors LET OUT!
By HOWARD HAZELBAKER
in Poison Courier

oOlllS tlille ago we IedQ WIN some
surprise and a great deal more con-
Germ that the state board of educa-
ton had asked the resignation of
five of our Alma Matters outstand-
ing professors.
Up to that time we had been
worrying, as were a lot of others,
about the exodus of our more ex-
perienced teachers to other more
lucrative positions with other uni
versities. Just when they had gained
value to the school, they had gone
on to higher paid positions.
But feeling that low salaries were
in a large measure the reason, we
felt somewhat unable to see relief
from the unhappy situation whereby
Montana might be developing into
training school for young inexperi-
enced teachers, who would move on
as soon as they had gained the neces-
sary experience.
But there was that group of the
older educators, who had seen the
university, under their guidance and
assistance, throw off its swaddling
clothes and take its place among the
other institutions of higher learning.
They felt a little more deeply about
the place. They had put forth their
greatest efforts here and had given
the better years of their life, and
had seen the crowning success of
their achievement. Under their care
full guidance the University of Mon
tana became an institution recog-
nized and respected by all states and
loved by its hundreds and hundreds
of loyal and successful alumni.
OF the younger instructors who
had been added as the need for re-
placements and added personnel had
arisen, some had come to regard the
beautiful natural surroundings and
fine climate as an ideal spot in
which to live and had decided to
stay on despite the offers of higher
salaries and better positions at other
schools
It was this latter which gave us
hope for the future. Perhaps, we
reckoned, enough of the finer men
will stay with us to help build the
prestige so necessary to the standing
of such an institution, when those
who have brought it thus far along
glorious path, have passed on.
But events have somehow changed
all this Some of those we had hoped
to see stay, have moved on. Moved
on, we are told, not because they
had been attracted by the monetary
offers especially, but because they
preferred security in future years
and peaceful surroundings where
they could pursue their courses
without continual interruption.
It is a peculiar trait which man
has. It seems that regardless of what
station in life he reaches, he either
has or seeks security. We can think
of no profession, trade or business
which completely guarantees it, yet
service and sacrifice have gained it
for great many.
And so it must be with teaching
Most universities have a system of
security for its staffs, who give their
life and their best efforts to the in
struction of the nations youth. They
want them free from worry, that
they may give their best efforts to-
ward the upbuilding of the institu-
ton and its accompanying prestige.
The people of Montana wanted to
give its university professors what
they could in that line consistent
with the funds available. And for
years it has, and it has ever pro-
gressed under the system.
Since the death of DIR. Clapp and
the subsequent Inauguration of a
new administration at the uni
versity, this sense of security has
vanished. Apparently for trivial
reasons, faculty members have
been recommended to be placed in
jeopardy of their position and now
we find them even being asked to
resign.
designations are not new in uni
versities, nor is the request for them
at all alarming in itself. 1t is the
circumstances surrounding them
which even make it worth the while
to mention.
Continued on Page A.