Montana labor news., 1939-10-19
new YORK ALUMNI
A(TT0SAVE MONTANA
IVER5ITY'S NAME|
Ask Former Students to Take Up
Arms for Institution.

hTtflS IOT lnStltutlon.
A letter received from Montana
alumnus now in New York City
reads in part: Interest is not quite
the word for what Montana alumni
are now showing, in connection with
the demand of the state board. What
they show is rage, fury, violence. l
have been mixed up in several direct
mail campaigns, but never one that
brought such results as this one has"
Bulletin drafted by the New York
group and being sent broadcast over
the country is printed herewith:
Fellow Alumnus
Do you know that DR.. Merriam,
DR.. Lennes, Professor Atkinson, Dean
Mollet, and Mr.. Keeney have been
asked to resign from the faculty of
Montana State University by October
is? (Mr. Merriam has since resigned
and accepted professorship at the
University of Oregon, where he is
now at work.
1t seems strange to us that these
scholarly, distinguished men, four of
whom have been at Montana for
more than Is years, have become
such thorns in the flesh that their
designations are required. How do
you feel about it?
We feel that this is not simply
political disturbance in a state far
away; it affects us. We have been
students in an institution that ap-
preached the democratic ideal of free
education and freedom Of intelIec-
tual development. Whatever Injuries
our university also injuries us.
Because lack of money was not so
important in our school as in most
colleges, many of us have been privi-
legged to advance, through free edu-
cation, to higher standard of living
and greater intellectual enjoyment
than we should otherwise have OBJ
tanned No restraint was put upon
us; our obligations to the university
are for us and nobody else to specify.
Some of us feel that we wish to rec
ognize an obligation now.
We feel that we need not attack
anyone else in order to defend these
men. We can defend them on merit
alone: because of their fine scholar
ship, the prestige they have brought
to small school, the inspiration they
have kindled in their students.
Do you agree? If so, will you voice
an objection to the demand for res
ignations? If you will, please give US
your suggestions for continued ac-
ton in the matter Perhaps it is not
too late to get DR.. Merriam back to
Montana next September
Will you write one or more letters?
The present governor is His Excel
lency Roy E. Ayers, Helena. Miss
Ruth Reardon is state superintendent
of schools, an ex-officio member of
the state board of education. H. H.
Swain is its executive secretary.
And you may wish to write to the
student body, through the Kaimin.
Such letter can be potent and some
people are writing them now. It
would seem logical to appeal to the
students own interests, suggesting
that a degree is more valuable if it
is granted by a school that is free
from political odors. One state uni
versity in America has already suf-
fered from politics. It would be a
shame for all of us, both present
and future holders Of degrees from
Montana State University, if our
school joined it. Our successors in
the student body, by protecting the
school from faint, can protect them
selves.
And it wouldn't hurt to write
friendly notes to the men whose jobs
are at stake It is almost impossible
for them to defend themselves.
Whatever we do must be done very
quickly, of course. Will you please
let us know your decision, your rec
concentrations, and what action, if
any, you are taking? Send your re-
ply to the person from whom you
received this letter. This is no or
ganized defense; N is purely volun-
tary. You are warmly invited to join
the committee; you will, of course,
have entire freedom of action.
VOLUNTARY COMMITTEE.