Montana labor news., 1939-10-26
WHY WERE The U.
Professors LET OUT!
Continued from Page 81

men who have established reputa-
tions and have a record of successful
teaching which extends beyond the
present administration. They have
record of successful graduates who
have tended to give the university
a better standing among institutions
of high learning.
What crime then can these men
be charged with that the board can
ask so great a price? Surely it must
be some great offense to cause such
a stir, such a sudden decision. Fail
ing to cooperate with the admins
tration" seems hardly cause for all
that.
The years of service and the loyal
ty they have shown toward the uni
versity in not one, two or three
years, but many, make the charge
sound ridiculous unless by coopera-
ton with the administration would
mean going against the best interests
of the school. All of these men are
big enough to put the interests of
the school ahead of their own, and
to quickly censor anyone who didn't.
If any attempt was made to change
the foundation on which the uni
versity is founded-freedom of ex-
preston for all schools of thought
and learning-I do believe that these.
men would refuse to cooperate. But
to the many alumni who have known
these men a long time, who have at
tended classes under them, the
charge seems poorly founded.
Up to the present administration
the school has worked smoothly and
progressively forward. When the
change was made following the death
of DR.. Clapp, new deal seems to
have come to our university. A new
deal which demands submission,
substitution and regulation of every
thing. 1t was as if the whole scene
had suddenly changed. Gray heads
had overnight become a handicap
instead of an asset as most colleges
had always held them. Younger men
Just out of school and with little or
no practical experience had likewise
suddenly become eligible to posi-
tions which few universities will
grant. The old men must go. No
thought was given to the years of
service or the sacrifice or the
achievement of the individual. They
must go under the ideals of the new
deal
Dean Stone, the man responsible
for the successful founding and
nurturing of the school of Journal
ism on the campus, whose teaching
had brought fame, honor and posi-
ton to the school through the sue
cess of the graduates it turned out,
had suddenly aged too much. DR..
Clapp had worked with the dean to
put a new building on the campus
to house his successful school, While
DR.. Clapp did not live to see it ac-
complished, his and the efforts of
the many friends of the school, saw
the project to successful completion.
But, alas when the building was in
the primary stages, the present ad-
ministration favored younger men.
1t was only after the intercedence of
friends that the custer order was
changed to one relieving him of the
executive direction but permitted
the continuance of the title.
So it has been a continual change,
a continual annoyance of the teach
ing staff at the university. There is
no feeling of security among most
members of the faculty. Their years
of effort seem to mean nothing to
the present administration. Their
sacrifices no guarantees of tenure.
What possibly can the board hope
to gain by backing such move
which is eating away at the very
roots of our university? Can it be
that a purge is going on in our own
state, in our own university? A purge
against diverse opinion. Are we to
quell the free exercise of opinion,
and the stimulation of thought at an
institution founded upon that ideal?
Surely the university should prop
agate that one key to peaceful liv-
ing, learning, progress and liberty.
Surely the board has taken stand
which to the people of our state,
must seem a bit dictatorial.
We feel that some issue should be
taken with the board and the ad-
ministration on this latest episode at
the university. If this continues the
people will lose faith altogether.
The university is too necessary to
the up-building of our state for any
of us to sit idly by and let politics
and short-sightedness ruin it.-Mon-
tana Review.
WARMING To PARENTS