Evening star., 1953-02-22
Academic Good Sense

Academic Good Sense
It is refreshing, In the current emotional
uproar over, the investigation Of communism
in our colleges, to read the calm and sensible
statement on this subject by Lewis Webster
Jones, president OF Rutgers University.
Two Rutgers professors refused last year
to answer questions concerning Communist
Affiliations put to them by the Senate Subcom-
mittee on Internal Security. They relied on
their constitutional protection against possible
self-incrimination.
Their case was carefully considered at Rut-.
gers. A faculty advisory committee strongly
urged that no action be taken against the two.
But the board of trustees finally concluded that
the professors must answer the questions or
resign, and their connection with the university
was severed last December 81.
The basic contention Of those who sup
ported the professors in their stand was that
the interrogation by the Senate. subcommittee
was an invasion of academic freedom and a.
threat to the integrity Of our educational
system. DR.. Jones, however, did not agree.
In his view, no issue of freedom Of teach
ing or of the right to hold unorthodox opinions
was at stake If there had been, the university
sors 1.-THE questions Professors Heimlich and
Finley refused to answer" DR.. Jones declared,
did not relate to their opinions, but to their
possible membership. in the Communist Party.
Such membership Is not compatible with the
freedom of thought and inquiry on which
American teaching and research are based. It
is no invasion of that freedom, but a necessary
measure of the protection Of the freedom Of all
Of us, to seek to determine whether teachers
and others in positions of trust are committed
to the discipline and program Of the Com
muniSt Party"
Arguing that the public has right, through
its legally constituted representatives, to in
quire into the Communist Party membership Of
individuals, and contending that the party is
conspiratorial organization, DR.. Jones continued:
Universities, both public and private are
strongly affected with public interest. They
occupy position Of central Importance in our
free society. embodying highest aspirations
and hope for material and spiritual progress.
They are at once the most characteristic ex-
preston and the principal guardians of the
Western tradition of freedom. They are
charged with the preservation of the cultural
heritage, the discovery Of new knowledge and
its dissemination, the education OF young
people as persons, workers and citizens. They
cannot confine themselves to techniqueS and
adopt an attitude of neutrality and with
drawal in the face of the central moral issue
of our times. d. /. Public investigation of the
universities is legitimate and should be
frankly met. It implies no invasion of aca-
demic independence.
The interference of any outside group
with the proper functions Of the university
must be resisted whatever the cost in criti-
cism and loss of financial support. In the
determination of the curriculum, methods of
teaching and research the selection of faculty
or speakers, the permission of free discussion.
the university must be completely inde-
pendent. In all these matters. which relate to
the proper performance of the intellectual
functions of university, public inquiry is
legitimate; interference or dictation is not.
-. 1t follows that for members of university
faculty to refuse to give a rational account
of their position on vital community issues
not only cannot be defended by an appeal
to academic freedom, but in fact cuts the
ground out from under academic freedom
itself.
The Importance of DR.. Jones' statement,
together with the action taken at Rutgers, lies
in the fact that it outlines positive approach
to the problem Of Communist inf1ltration of our
educational system. There Is good reason to
maintain close watch on congressional in
vestigations of the educational system, for they
often are attended by serious abuses. But
those who are content merely to raise the cry
of academic freedom, and do nothing, are
oe1eatlnS tneI own PURPOSE. roi puoAAc UplAioA'
quite properly, is not going to tolerate Com-
munist infiltration of our schools and colleges
The best way to deal with this problem is for
the schools and colleges to do their own house,
cleaning. That is what Rutgers has done, and
that is what DR.. Jones is advising others to do
His statement is one that should be read by
all who are concerned with this serious and
vital matter.