THE ADMINISTRATIVE PERIL IN EDUCATION 515 



most richly fed." In reminding the alumni of Harvard that "our 

 undiseiplinables are our proudest product " he gave expression to a 

 memorable reflection. The administrative temper breeds an atmosphere 

 peculiarly noxious to the finer, freer issues of learning. The inner 

 quality so precious to the function of leadership in intellectual callings, 

 dependent as they are on the delicate nurture of the creative gift, is pre- 

 cisely that which recedes at the first harsh touch of imposed restraint. 

 There is a temperamental disposition involved, fraught with difficulty 

 of adjustment under the most favorable circumstances, beset with 

 hazard throughout its uncertain maturing at all levels. Unless the aca- 

 demic life is made helpful to its purpose, the course of which it must 

 so largely be free to set for itself, the ships that bear our most valued 

 cargoes will be storm-tossed and needlessly discouraged in their efforts 

 to reach their sighted harbors: and some of them will mutely and in- 

 gloriously go down at sea. It is because the prevalent administrative 

 system is so deadly to "our proudest product," that it appears to me, 

 through the vista of a quarter century, as the supreme peril of the 

 educational seas. 6 



6 Since this article was written, Professor Cattell has made known the results 

 of his inquiry in regard to the opinions of professors upon the desirability and 

 acceptability of the present system of academic control. (See Science, May 24 

 and 31, 1912). Speaking generally the inquiry, which was conducted upon a 

 wide basis and presumably a frank one, reveals the astonishing conclusion that 

 So per cent, of the replies are unfavorable to the system in vogue — the system 

 here criticized. It is even more significant that a large majority advocate a very 

 decided and radical reconstruction to bring about an urgently needed reform. 

 The variety of points of view from which the dominant system is attacked is 

 also suggestive. Knowing as I did from the many letters of endorsement of my 

 own utterances, that there was a wide-spread sympathy with this position, I was 

 yet entirely unprepared to find so general an expression of dissatisfaction. It 

 would appear that the professors constitute a fairly unanimous army of insur- 

 gents, with a peculiar reticence in announcing their cause, and a reluctance to 

 enlist in any active operations. None the less the statistical result is a cause 

 for congratulation; and the academic world owes a debt to Professor Cattell the 

 nature of which the future will more clearly reveal. Of the several constructive 

 suggestions those advanced by Professor Cattell must now be accorded the pre- 

 ferred position, since it is with reference to them that a representative refer- 

 endum of the academic profession has been taken. When it is realized that a 

 considerable majority favors an extensive reconstruction of the system as estab- 

 lished, and that the professors as a body find themselves dispirited and not 

 inspired by the provisions supposed to ensure their efficiency, it is hardly prob- 

 able that boards of management will fail to respond to this convincing and 

 notable evidence that there is something out of joint in the academic situation. 

 In my opinion Professor Cattell has indicated a workable, flexible program. 

 As a platform its stability will depend not so directly upon this or that plank 

 which is inserted or omitted or trimmed to local requirements, as upon its finding 

 a solid support in the sentiments and judgments of those whose business and 

 privilege it will be to direct its construction, as at once a visible and a spiritual 

 reality. 



