654 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXII. No. 823 



DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE 

 AN OPEN LETTER TO ME. CARNEGIE 



Through the institutions founded by your 

 initiative and endowment, you recognize that 

 the most valuable asset of society is the higher 

 order of human quality. The Carnegie Insti- 

 tution seeks the exceptional man, and fur- 

 nishes him exceptional opportunities for his 

 chosen work. The Carnegie Foundation pro- 

 vides security for the devotees of the higher 

 learning, so that their services may be more 

 freely given to the interests of the higher 

 living. Tou thus recognize that the most 

 direct way to advance the cause of education 

 is by advancing the status of the teaching 

 profession. It is in the interests of the Car- 

 negie Foundation for the Advancement of 

 Teaching that this communication is ad- 

 dressed to you. 



The benefits of the foundation took the 

 estimable form of retiring allowances. The 

 professor of an accredited institution acquired 

 his right thereto through the same service that 

 entitled him to his salary. His initiative, not 

 subject to review, determined whether and 

 when he shall avail himself thereof. The 

 dignity and temper of the policy at once com- 

 manded respect and quieted apprehension. 

 Participation in the foundation was made a 

 privilege, not a charity. Lacking all central- 

 ization, our universities may well profit by the 

 incentive of a disinterested institution, liberal- 

 minded and of national scope. By the tenta- 

 tive exclusion of the state universities, such a 

 career for the Carnegie Foundation was jeop- 

 ardized. In response to friendly protest, and 

 through your generosity, a change of policy 

 prevailed. A situation that similarly involves 

 a question of judgment is now impending. 



An alternative between two equally honor- 

 able forms of retirement was provided: that 

 on the basis of age relieved anxiety; that on 

 the basis of service offered varied scope to 

 opportunities too commonly forfeited in an 

 exacting career. After but brief experience, 

 the retention of one of the two stated benefits, 

 and the more attractive, is held in the balance. 

 The prospect of its being found wanting has 



aroused widespread concern, intensely felt 

 though academically expressed. 



It is hardly necessary to repeat or review 

 the public and private comments upon the 

 propriety and the wisdom of this momentous 

 step. Editorials, resolutions of associated 

 professors and letters to the press have ques- 

 tioned the ethical propriety, even the legal 

 warrant of the repeal. It is sufficient to 

 record that any one acquainted with the offi- 

 cers of the foundation will promptly concede 

 that if, in their opinion, withdrawal from an 

 obligation were involved, the step would not 

 have been so much as considered. It is un- 

 fortunate that the administration has used the 

 reservation of the right to change the rules as 

 a warrant for the action. This is sure to he 

 misunderstood; only its friends and friendly 

 critics know that the foundation may be as- 

 sumed to agree with them, that far higher 

 considerations than those of authority are 

 here pertinent. There is, however, another 

 point of view : that of the institutions and the 

 individuals concerned. They may properly 

 consider that through a mistake of judgment, 

 a real injustice has resulted. It is at once 

 natural and creditable that the professional 

 class, to whom the foundation is dedicated — 

 but most regrettably unrepresented in its ad- 

 ministration — should feel that their interests 

 have been slighted. More extensively than 

 can be summarized, the plans of worthy men 

 have looked to the use of the " service " retire- 

 ment as the cherished consummation of their 

 careers. Their projects involved sacrifice, for 

 the allowance was small; but it was deemed 

 secure. At present confidence has been im- 

 paired, and the term foundation deprived of 

 its pertinence. A plea for " the advancement 

 of teaching " urges the commanding appeal of 

 justice and wisdom, and argues for a reversal 

 of judgment. 



The policy of the action can not be dis- 

 cussed in detail. The reasons assigned, with 

 the utmost concession to their pertinence, seem 

 bare and inadequate: nothing more serious 

 than that a larger number of men have retired 

 for less worthy reasons than was anticipated. 

 Why not equally anticipate that the chief 



