Educators Request Investigation
Of Hearst Terrorism By
Dickstein Committee
The officers of the National
Educational Association are planning a nationwide expose of the recent
endeavours to terrorize college and school instructors by cries of
"Communism" when any attempt is made to discuss social changes. The
plans of the association were stimulated by an appeal by twenty
educators at Columbia, New York University, and the Union Theological I
School, to the McCormick-Dickstein committee on Un-American activities
to examine the attempts of William Randolph Plea t to invoke a red
scare though attacks on University professors.
Prominent Educators Appeal
Charles
Beard, former President of the American Historical Association, John
Dewey, Professor Emeritus at Columbia, Honorary President of the
National Educational Association, said in their appeal: "Recent
occurrences at Syracuse University and Columbia University indicate
that a campaign of terrorism against teachers in American colleges,
universities, schools, and even private schools is getting under way.
Such repressive effort is not only directly contrary to American
democratic tradition but, if successful, would make it impossible for
schools to do their proper work. In a time like this, we need every
help in getting people to face the serious problems confronting us.
Neither cure of depression nor furthering of the progressive measures
of the National Administration can go forward without free discussion
and inquiry in the universities and schools."
Interview Prof. Counts
Commenting on
these developments Doctor Counts stated, "If William Randolph Hearst
continues in his efforts he will reduce American universities and
schools to the ignominious condition of the German schools and
universities under Hitler."
Dr. Counts,
Professor of Education at Teachers College, and Dr. William Kilpatrick,
also of Teachers College, related in the appeal their interview with a
Hearst reporter who had frankly informed them he was sent in the
capacity of a red-baiter.
Mr. Counts
told the reporter who asked whether radicalism and communism were being
examined at Teachers College, "Of course they are. Any college worthy
of the name will provide an opportunity for thorough and objective
examination of very important idea moving in the world. This is in
keeping with university tradition. Universities must fight to preserve
this tradition."
Before the
interview with Professor Counts, the reporter who claimed he wanted to
enter a college where he could "get the real stuff about Capitalism,
Socialism and Communism," inquired after real liberals, "not afraid to
give the liberal side on subjects."
A similar
letter was sent to Professor John J. Washburne of Syracuse University
and stories followed in the Syracuse Journal on alleged "red teachings"
in school.
Fred
L.Redifer, Executive Secretary of the Progressive Education
Association, said he would urge the committee to examine the efforts of
munition makers.
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N. Y. American Article Charges
B. C. and L. I. U. Professors
With Red Activity
The American Committee of the
Kings County American Legion demands a congressional investigation of
the charges that certain professors in Brooklyn College and Long Island
University are spreading Communistic propaganda, according to an
article in Sunday's New York American.
The Legion
charges that lectures in the Social Sciences are being given "by
professors who concededly believe that every thing is wrong, so long as
it is American."
"The radical
professors are further accused of preaching the doctrine that America
is a land of opportunity 'for the politically favored only.' That all
government officials, statesmen, elective officials are crooked
politicians–that institutions of home, marriage, property rights, and
the like, sacred to America, are "so much antiquated hokum."
The American
goes on to say, "Among students of Brooklyn College there is a general
feeling that most of the student body is wholesomely conservative, with
but a small percentage of radicals among them. Nevertheless, the
students say, they are constantly being accused of Communistic
activities by certain elements who misunderstand the situation."
The United
Benevolent and Patriotic Society of Jamaica, the article continued has
authorized its president, George Cava to meet with officials of the
Board of Education for the purpose of preventing communistic propaganda
from poisoning the public school systems of Brooklyn and Queens. Cava
claims that "hundreds o1 young radicals are preaching the doctrine of
Russia to their fellow students under the direction of older Reds."
The object of
his first interview with William J. McAuliffe of the Board of Education
will be the closing of school auditoriums to radical groups. These
youngsters come from non-taxpaying families, he claims, and have no
right to property supported by taxpayers.
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