Letters

Et Tu Dartmouth

To THE EDITOR: This is the first time I have written my class secretary because it is the first time I have had anything really important to say.

I resent the editorial bias of the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE in whitewashing Professor Harold O. Rugg's propaganda school books. It was entirely proper to print the man's defense, though he is two years late and, as Carl E. Rollins 'ia, shows in his careful analysis, it is mostly generalities and dodges the main issue entirely.

But the editors could not let it go at that. They had to announce editorially that they had judged the whole matter for us and we learn that the poor author is another martyr, victim of another "American witch-hunt" by certain "pressure groups." These expressions are well-known Communist patter and show where the editors get their ideas.

I wish they would give names and addresses of some of these pressure groups that showed up these books, so I can join them in the good work of protecting immature minds from being "slanted" toward Moscow.

They need not explain what an "American witch-hunt" means. Everyone knows that all too well. A witch-hunt used to mean hunting a witch, until the Reds started in systematically to undermine this democracy. From then on, every honest, serious attempt to investigate their subversive methods was smeared as a "witch-hunt."

The Dies Committee, the Rapp-Coudert Committee, every committee, individual or publication that dared throw light on their activities made the Red rats squeal, "Witch- hunt." But the investigators did not stay smeared. They proved their cases over and over, until now the public understands that when the Red organization calls something a

"witch-hunt" it means that some of Comrade Stalin's faithful missionaries have been caught with goods. Unintentionally the ALUMNI MAGAZINE used the most damning phrase it could, on the Rugg books, "witch-hunt."

Then came such men as Elsbree and Laing dodging the main issue just as Rugg did. These apologists remind me of loons in more ways than one. Did you ever shoot a charge of shot at a loon? The loon ducks under water at the flash of the gun, dodging the charge and coming up much later and far from the point.

Professor Rugg dived at the flash, evaded the charge, managed to stay down two years and now comes up miles away from the main point. The others couldn't hold their breath as long but they dodged the issue in the same grandly confusing manner.

The gist of the charge against Professor Rugg is not whether his theories are right or wrong. That is not capable of proof one way or the other.

I may believe that monogamy is all wrong and that the salvation of the United States lies in polygamy. It would be proper for the ALUMNI MAGAZINE to print my views, for me to write books on the subject, to harangue my neighbors and hire a hall to lecture and win converts.

But, if I become a school teacher and use my position to suggest to the children that their home would be much happier if Papa would become progressive and enlightened enough to take in several more Mamas, then I am hitting below the belt and taking the taxpayer's money under false pretenses. The same is true, if I get my propaganda into the schoolroom, in the form of sly digs, scattered throughout seemingly inoffensive text books. That is the charge which the professor and his apologists ducked.

Besides appointing themselves judge and jury, acquitting Rugg, without specifying the charges, the editors printed a large photograph of the man grinning behind a row of books. It is asserted that over two million of these schoolbooks have been sold. No wonder he laughs. It must have netted him a hand- some fortune.

From his point of view it is a huge joke that he put over all that on the parent and taxpayer before they got onto him. But I doubt if many parents, taxpayers or alumni join in the merriment.

And what is this "new era of kindliness" they mention so glibly? More Red patter. Is it what Hitler has pinned on Europe, with a bayonet or Stalin's equivalent, gently suggested to Russians by the OGPU? It is reassuring to read that much work must be done before this blessing reaches our shores.

I suggest that the next time the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE prints an article by a propagandist, the editors kindly permit the alumni to do their own thinking.

Rockville Center, L. i., N. Y.

ED. NOTE: The article "That Men May Understand," prepared in defense of his work byHarold O. Rugg '08, appeared in the Januaryissue of the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE. It was written at the request of the editorswho were interested in placing before 14,000fellow alumni the case of a renowned teacherand writer whose books are used throughoutthe nation. Numerous letters of commendationand condemnation were received and as manyas space permitted were published in the February, March, and April issues. The aboveletter from Mr. Goddard '02 was received(through his class secretary) too late for publication in the April issue, which the boardof editors decided would be the concluding instalment of letters either pro- or anti-Rugg.Mr. Goddard took exception to this decisionand the editors have extended the open seasonto October, also printing the following communication from Mr. Hart '21.

The editors reaffirm their purpose to servethe spirit of the liberal college. We respect-fully suggest that the discussion be terminated,and do request critics to read the completetexts of some of the Rugg school books anddecide themselves whether the contents areanything except informative and stimulating.

Mot Fair Play

To THE EDITOR:

The controversy over the accomplishments of Dr. Harold Ordway Rugg 'OB appears to have spilled over into other publications- while retaining its Dartmouth flavor. Bill Cunningham, admired by all of us some twenty years ago as a stentorian voiced football center, wrote the feature article in the American Legion Magazine for July. The title of the disparaging essay, "Smearing the Minds of Kids," and the accompanying cartoons are equally representative of the unfairness with which the biased analysis treats a subject beyond the scope of the writer.

The educator, a Dartmouth alumnus and the recipient of an honorary degree from the College, is referred to as "Herr Rugg" and as "Comrade Rugg," an obvious inconsistency.

He is brushed aside as a theorizing professor in a teachers' college, his activities in the famed Lincoln School (which has no football team) overlooked. And the writer boasts that he will "knock out what passes for his brains."

The President of Dartmouth appears in this scathing indictment as a "gray tragedy," confessing the failure of modern education. The article ignores the lists of Dartmouth men in service, the contributions of others who have achieved leadership in fields contributing to the defense of the Nation. And it assumes that modern wars and their successful prosecution depend entirely upon brawn and "guts." Recent history would seem to indicate that the important victories have been won by organization, mechanical ingenuity, anticipation of events,—the very activities in which the graduates of our better colleges and technical schools can match the world.

In holding up for view one of the lesser colleges whose football teams rank high in the "Bowl" competitions so dear to sports writers, Bill implies that Dartmouth and the other well-established institutions should emulate such examples. He does not seem to realize that the University of Chicago—or Harvard University, for that matter—could have the biggest, fastest bone-crusher of a football team in the country if they wished to compete on that plane. Such an institution has the money, the plant, the alumni body and the prestige. In fact, it has so much prestige that it does not have to top the sport pages.

"Loyalty" forms a keystone of the Cunningham argument that we should emulate these colleges whose teams bear polysyllabic and unpronounceable names not representative of their general student bodies. But Dart- mouth does not have to seek any formula for Loyalty. The alumni of other colleges envy us for that very trait and the annual results of the Alumni Fund campaigns speak of Loy- alty in concrete terms. And close investigation will disclose that these powerful young be- hemoths are devoid of lasting loyalty. My personal acquaintance with many of them in two large universities proves that they cease to have any devotion to their Alma Mater when the quid pro quo ceases to be forthcoming. And Dr. Hutchins states that enrollment and alumni enthusiasm have increased since the abolition of football at Chicago.

As an alumnus, I get back to Hanover as often as possible. And I drive all night in order to be in the stands at Hanover or at Ithaca. A successful football season is a source of great satisfaction to all of us. But, as an educator, I cannot bring myself to believe that football is a powerful factor in education. The thirty-odd boys in uniforms undoubtedly gain through discipline, sacrifice and self-effacement for the common cause. But the two thousand in the stands can gain little education so vicariously. And my own (necessarily limited) observations lead to the sad conclusion that, twenty years out of college, the average good-student type excells the athletic hero—whether we measure success in terms of wealth or in terms of social contribution.

A one-sided argument, taking a phrase out of the reports of an educational conference, twisting this phrase to suit the critic's purposes, calling a recognized educational authority opprobrious names,—this is not a performance calculated to enhance the reputation of the College or the "fair-play" ideal of the athlete-sport writer.

Woodside, L. I., N. Y.

E. M. H. Addresses

To THE EDITOR

Many of the addresses which President Hopkins has made during the last twenty years constitute some of the most forceful contem- porary utterances which we possess concerning the purpose of a liberal education. Despite the almost universal respect and stimulation produced by his speeches at the time of delivery, the potential force of his ideas has been weakend because they are not permanently and conveniently available in written form. Furthermore, President Hopkins' best addresses should be read and reread if their intellectual and moral force is to be given full opportunity to exert influence.

During the critical years which our people and institutions face, there will be a desperate need for all individuals to maintain an intellectual perspective. There will be a profound necessity for focusing part of our attention on ends as well as means. As a contribution to this end, it seems to me that President Hopkins' collective utterances regarding the function of a liberal education, the nature of the abundant life, the character of the upright man, and the relation of these things to contemporary society, should be made available in collected, published form.

We as a people are now immediately concerned with one thing: effective action against a great pestilence. One day this pestilence, as an external threat, will be eliminated. When that occurs we shall find ourselves confronted with the greatest task of all—readjustments of our national and international life to meet needs without which we cannot progress.

Whether we do this latter task well or whether we bungle it and thereby lose all the gains for which we are willing to undergo the unspeakable brutalities and deprivations of war will depend not on the efficiency of our industrial mobilization, nor on the strategy of the military staff, nor on the patriotism of the people, but on the extent to which our leadership and its supporters can maintain an intellectual perspective and a consciousness of ends as well as means. The long-run responsibilities of the liberal arts college are more important than ever now because they can contribute during these next years to the enlightenment which must be brought to bear on the reordering process ahead.

I am fully conscious and proud o£ the tact that the College is deeply aware o£ these things. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the leadership of the College in these matters would be enhanced through the publication of a carefully edited collection of President Hopkins' writings and addresses.

This, I suspect, has been proposed before, but I feel sure that a great many alumni would concur in this matter.

U. of Cincinnati.

Frank Maloy Anderson

A DINNER WAS GIVEN for Professor Anderson by the Department o£ History on his retirement from active teaching, June 11. One o£ his colleagues, Prof. Allen R. Foley '20, composed and read the following verse (in the lighter Foley vein) on the occasion:

To have a lean, keen scholar's look And snow white hair as well Is more academic fortune Than the fates are apt to sell- Then add to this a zest for life, An interest that's contagious, Opinions bold and interesting Yet spirit not pugnacious,

A taste that's catholic and broad From vaudeville to concerto But favor's most Victoria's pride In "Pirates" and "Mikado,"

A taste, by chance, which sometimes leads To blood pressure and throbbings, As when confronted with Orozco's Crude but brilliant daubings,

A memory that can't be beat For books and facts and intrigue, But carries also to the face Of student and of colleague,

A travelling bag that's always packed, Research that makes temptation To follow where the goal posts lead A high and urgent mission,

A teaching record long and proud And service even wider, Ranging from Paris and Versailles To L of C and Widener,

Attendance at the A.HA. Almost without omission, With closing motion so much yours As to become tradition.

This, sir, is you, with sparkle and zip That puts many a youngster to shame, Strange does it seem to have you retire Till we recall it's only a name,

And saying "Good Luck" we also would charge you For our sakes to keep up the race, But when you would help us remember we're younger, And don't set too fast a pace!