The Scotsman - Friday, 10th June 1949, page 6

ANH-COMMUNIST HYSTERIA IN AMERICA Threat to Academic Freedom

From FRANCIS WILLIAMS, "The New York, Thursday.—Against a background of rising public nervousness, amounting in some cases to near hysteria, about Communist activities, a situation is now developing in America which, in the view of many leaders of American thought, contains the greatest threat to academic freedom for more than a generation. Anti-Communist nerves, fanned bv recent sensational trials, including the Hiss " perjury trial, have manifested themselves in many directions but in none more serious than the field of education, where many professors and teachers are now under constant barrage of criticism for the expression of even the mildest liberal sentiments. So ser ious is the situation that a spokesman of the American Association of University Professors recently declared that the principle of academic freedom is now under greater fire than at any time since the association was formed 35 years ago. Although only in the case of one State University—Washington State—have there so far been dismissals specifically on the grounds of the holding of Communist viewsin a great many other instances members of faculties have not been reappointed or have been dismissed for one reason or another when they have been suspected of holding Communist or near-Communist views, or even merely of belonging at some time to associations in which some Communist influence was susDected. STATE INVESTIGATION UbMJUMJUl Tne most famous universities in the country have not escaped this pressure. Thus. Chicago University was recently subjected to an Illinois State investigation of alleged Communist views among professors and studentsalthough the State Governor denounced the investigation as unnecessary and probably illegal. At Yale, the American Association of University Professors is examining the case of an assistant professor whose non-reappointment, it is alleged, was due to his political views. At anothei world-famous university recently I was told by one of the professors of political science that he and his colleagues were finding it increasingly difficult to lecture on such subjects as the historical development of Marxism without laying themselves open to criticisms. In smaller colleges the position is much worse. Recently a professor was discharged at Olivet College, Michigan, for holding "ultra-liberal views," and this was followed by five other dismissals of "liberal" faculty membersincluding the Socialist candidate for the vice-presidency at the last election, Mr Tucker Smith Against teachers in the schools pressure is even more widespread. New York State Legislature has now passed legislation requiring the Council of Regents to draw up a list of organisations membership of which shall be the cause of dismissal of any teacher. Maryland and New Jersey have similar laws, and in three other States—Pennsylvania. Massachusetts, and Kansas—teachers can be dismissed on grounds of " disloyalty. ™ LOTALTT OATHS Many other States are preparing loyalty oaths ior teachers which would place them in a different category from the members of anv other profession. And even the Educational Policies Commission of the National Education Association has just issued a reoort recommending that no member of the Communist Parly shall be employed as a teacher in any American school. It is true that the Commission goes on to warn against "careless, incorrect, and unjust ** use of the description "Communist." But experience so far suggests that once a Communist hunt is on in schools and colleges there is a danger of anyone holding views regarded as liberal by the most unadvanced trustees, members of the State legislature or school board, being tarred with this description. Indeed, it is the growing anxiety of large numbers of professorsuniversity lecturers, and school teachers that if they show any inclination to examine unpopular doctrines or conduct a free investigation into political philosophies thev may find themselves in difficulties which create the greatest threat to academic freedom. This is particularly so whereas is increasingly happening, the doctrine of guilt by association is being accepted by sovernin" bodies, so that any man or woman who may have joined in all innocence or with the best intentions organisations - now regarded as suspect may find himself or herself liable to riicmics^l fnr this Tpnson alone. The reality of the threat to academic freedom in these present tendencies to the extreme cannot be denied. It is already of a nature and extent not easily comprehen sible to those living and working in countries with a more tolerant and less easily challpneeri educational tradition.—Copyright. Scotsman" Special Correspondent The committee is formed of members of the State Senate, under the chairmanship of Mr J. Tenneyof Los Angeles. Its report naming hundreds of people as Communist - fellow-travellers" or appeasers," stated: "These and others are typical of a group which has followed or has appeased the Communist line, and have persistently, viciously, and dishonestly attacked the committee . "All have attacked the committee without having once directly challenged a single finding . They are typical of individuals within the various Stalinist orbits, about whose activities in Stalinist programmes and causes your committee has presented factual reports or has taken sworn evidence." The committee said it supported the passage of a series of anti-Communist Bills. .including one for "improved facilities" for the committee and the organisation of groups to fight Communism. Among the film stars listed as "followers of ihe Communist line" were: Danny Kaye. Charles Chaplin. Gene Kelly. Frederic March and his wife. Florence Eldridge. Katharine Hepburn. Frank Sinatra. John Garfield, Gregory Peck. Edward G. Robinson, Paul Robesoh. and Orson Welles. Artie Shaw, the band leader, and Lena Horn, the singer, were named, as were several writers and playwrights, including Thomas Mann. Pearl Buck, Dorothy Parker, and Clifford Odels. Others included Dr Harlow Shapley. the astronomer and physicist; Mr Henry Wallace, a former Vice-Pre-sident of the United States; Mr Robert Kenny, former California State Attorney-General and defence counsel for Hollywood writers who have appeared before the un-American Activities Committee of the House of Representatives in Washington and Mr Ellis Pattersonformer Lieutenant-Governor of California. Some of the celebrities mentioned in the report replied immediately to the charges. Their comments included: Frank Sinatra—This unfair and unjustified attack gives every American good reason to be critical of the Tenney Committee. If they don't cut it out I will show them how much an American can fight back even against the State, if the American happens to be right. Gregory Peck—I have been denying these allegations for several years, and I will do so once more. I am not now and have never been associated with any Communist organisation. Gene Kelly—I am not a Communist, never was a Communist, and have no sympathy with Communist activities. The only line I know how to follow is the American line. Artie Shaw—I do not know what the committee is talking about—and I do not think its members do. I have never travelled in the Stalinist orbit unless that orbit includes the United States. Katharine Hepburn " refused to dignify Mr Tenney's un-American accusation with a renlv." Danny Kaye, at present in Scotland, interrupted a day's golf at Gleneagles yesterday to read an evening paper report of the California committee' s statements. He said: "* It sounds to me like a lot of hooey."