November 23, 1900.] 



SCIENCE. 



811 



A very large number of the tree species have 

 oflBcinal value. 



Means of communication are hardly yet de- 

 veloped, hence only the outer fringe of the forest 

 has been cut away and lumbering is compara- 

 tively expensive, especially as no one gregarious 

 species may be exploited, but, as is usual in 

 tropic forests, a profusion of species occupies 

 the ground ; heuce systematic exploitation 

 which uses all that is valuable at one and the 

 same time can alone pay for development of 

 means of transportation. Capt. Ahem calls 

 upon the N. Y. S. College of Forestry for six 

 technically educated foresters to assist him in 

 organizing his bureau on better lines than un- 

 der Spanish rule and also proposes to send some 

 Filipino college graduates to take forestry 

 courses at Cornell. B. E. F. 



PSOFESSOB BOSS AND LELAND STANFOBD, 

 JB. UNIVERSITY. 



The enforced resignation of Professor E. A. 

 Ross from the chair of sociology at Leland 

 Stanford, Jr. University is unfortunate, what- 

 ever the explanation may be. It is well known 

 that Mrs. Stanford occupies a peculiarly re- 

 sponsible position in her relations to the uni- 

 versity. She has, we believe, exercised her 

 authority in the construction of buildings, etc. , 

 but never, heretofore, has interfered with the 

 work of the professors. Professor Ross has 

 made public a statement from which we quote 

 the following paragraphs : 



"At Stanford University the professors are 

 appointed from year to year, and receive their 

 reappointment early in May. I did not get 

 mine then, but thought nothing of it until, on 

 May 18th, Dr. Jordan told me that, quite unex- 

 pectedly to him, Mrs. Stanford had shown 

 herself greatly displeased with me, and had re- 

 fused to reappoint me. He had heard from 

 her just after my address on coolie immigra- 

 tion. He had no criticism for me, and was 

 profoundly distressed at the idea of dismissing 

 a scientist for utterances within the scientist's 

 own field. He made earnest representations to 

 Mrs. Stanford, and on June 2d I received my be- 

 lated reappointment for 1900-01. The outlook 

 was such, however, that on June 5th I offered 

 the following resignation : 



" Dear Dr. Jordan — I was sorry to learn from you 

 a fortnight ago that Mrs. Stanford does not approve of 

 me as an economist and does not want me to remain 

 here. It was a pleasure, however, to learn at the 

 same time of the unqualified terms in which you had 

 expressed to her your high opinion of my work and 

 your complete confidence in me as a teacher, a scien- 

 tist and a man. 



"While I appreciate the steadfast support you have 

 given me, I am unwilling to become a cause of worry 

 to Mrs. Stanford or of embarrassment to you. I there- 

 fore beg leave to offer my resignation as professor of 

 sociology, the same to take eiJect at the close of the 

 academic year 1900-01.' 



" When I handed in the above Dr. Jordan 

 read me a letter which he had just received 

 from Mrs. Stanford, and which had, of course, 

 been written without knowledge of my resig- 

 nation. In this letter she insisted that my con- 

 nection with the university end, and directed 

 that I be given my time from January 1st to the 

 end of the academic year. 



" My resignation was not acted upon at once, 

 and efforts were made by President Jordan and 

 the president of the board of trustees to induce 

 Mrs. Stanford to alter her decision. These 

 proved unavailing and on Monday, November 

 12th, Dr. Jordan accepted my resignation in 

 the following terms : 



" I have waited till now in the hope that circum- 

 stances might arise which would lead you to a recon- 

 sideration. 



' ' As this has not been the case, I, therefore, with 

 great reluctance, accept your resignation, to take ef- 

 fect at your own convenience. 



" In doing so I wish to express once more the high 

 esteem in which your work as a student and a teacher 

 as well as your character as a man, is held by all your 

 colleagues.' " 



President Jordan is reported to have said : 

 " In regard to the resignation of Dr. Ross, it is 

 right that I should make a further statement. 

 There is not the slightest evidence that he is a 

 'martyr to freedom of speech.' Nor is there 

 any reason to believe that his withdrawal has 

 been due to any pressure of capital or any sin- 

 ister influence. I know that Mrs. Stanford's 

 decision was reached only after long and 

 earnest consideration, and that its motive 

 was the welfare of the university, and that 

 alone." 



