Evening star., 1946-03-10
Dr.. Kitchin Quits
M.U.WithAttack
On School Policy
Says Teaching Has
Deterioroted;; Byrd
Answers Criticism
BY The Associated Press

DR.. Joseph A. Kitchin has re-
signed as associate professor of po-
litical science at. the University of
Maryland after criticizing the In
stitution's educational and admin
istrative policies, it was disclosed
last night.
In a letter to DR.. j. F. Pyle, acting
dean of the colleges of arts and
sciences, DR.. Kitchin suggested that
the faculty be permitted to partici-
pate "democratically' in the forma-
ton of academic policy.
Despite increased plant facilities
and bid for much larger student
body" the letter continued, "the
teaching conditions which are
among the most essential to the
welfare of an academic institution
have deteriorated-at least in the
college of arts and sciences-to such
degree that 1 feel that satisfac-
tory work is impossible"
Byrd Answers Critic.
DR.. H. c. Byrd, university presi-
dent, issued a point by point reply
to the major criticisms in DR..
Kitchin's letter.
The 35-year- professor. ma
tive OF North Dakota, came to the
university in September, l941, as
an Instructor in political science
after teaching for five years at the
University of Michigan.
After 16 months at Maryland he
entered the Marine Corps and
served for 18 months as a captain
On discharge he returned to the
university at the beginning of the
present semester and resigned ap-
proximately three weeks later.
Salaries Held Inadequate.
The ex-faculty members COM
plants and DR.. Byrd's answers were
as follows:
DR.. Kitchin-Salaries are "inade-
quate" and promotion uncertain in
the absence OF a written contract.
DR.. Byrd: Maryland pays lower
salaries than some schools, but it
pays higher than many.
DR.. Kitchin: The Splendid DO
tentialities" of the institution now
seem further from realization than
they did when he entered the Ma
rines three years ago.
DR.. Byrd: The contrary is true. as
evidenced by the donation of Glenn
l.. Martin for school of aeronauti-
cal research and increased State ap-
preparations for the Engineering
College. The same conditions" pre-
vail in practically all other" di-
visions of the university.
Program Lacks Interrogation.
DR.. Kitchin: The Americanization
program, as currently administered,
presents little more than required
courses in American government.
history, sociology and literature,
and suffers from lack of integration
and instructors. Furthermore, that
the name of William Randolph
Hearst seems to be associated
with this program makes me doubt
that it will over develop beyond the
ideal of a narrow chauvinistic con-
temptation of American institutions
I'm all fairness, I will say that
this harrow concept of Americania-
ton does not color the courses, I
believe, as they are now taught"
DR.. Byrd: 1T seems to me that
DR.. Kitchin has answered his own
doubt. If the teaching of Ameri-
can backgrounds, American ideals,
American concepts of government
and the values in the American
standards Of living-in short, the
American way of life-constitute a
marrow concept of Americanization
then I, personally believe such a
narrow concept would be a splen-
did venture for the American peo-
pie"