The Ivory Tower

Here & There in the College World

At the University of Pennsylvania, the faculty adviser of the Government Club took the extraordinary step of speaking out against the Club’s decision to invite Communist editor John Gates to debate on the question, “Does Communism Have a Future in the United States?” Dr. Henry Wells stated that he acted not out of fear that “the minds of our undergraduates will be corrupted by a single Communist speaker, however eminent or persuasive,” but because he saw “no sufficient justification for thus helping to rehabilitate the Communist movement in this country.” Rushing to the rescue of academic freedom, the Dean of Men announced that his office takes the view that “any speaker can be invited to speak on campus by any organization.” Mr. Gates’ appearance was hampered by the fact that he is currently out on bail—having recently been convicted of violating whatever law he most recently violated and got caught violating—and is restricted, under the terms of bail, from leaving Southern New York State. Upon request, the U.S. District Attorney waived this prohibition. He too, manifestly, understands academic freedom.