Forces

The older universities have the youngest one to reckon with. Besides the largest endowment,* Duke University (Durham, N. C.), has an enviable climate and the true quiet of academe. A combination of these assets has already enabled Duke to take from Harvard that pre-eminent psychologist, Dr. William McDougall. Dr. McDougall said he had been happy at Harvard but could not resist Duke's offer. Many another famed professor is happy where he is, but boards of trustees are watching nervously to see who next will be unable to resist the prospect of Ducal paradise.

Uncommercially, the older universities have nothing to fear from Duke. That on the contrary Duke may be counted on to side against retrogressive forces in the South's so-called Bible Belt, was seen last week in an action of its president. Dr. William Preston Few, president of Trinity College (1910-24) and of Duke University since Trinity married a fortune, arose before the education association of the southern wing of the Methodist Episcopal/- Church, and obtained almost unanimous support for a resolution: "We . . . here put ourselves on record as opposed to all legislation that would interfere with the proper teaching of science in American schools and colleges ... we are opposed to legislation because we believe it will be futile and can serve no good purpose."

Some have pointed to the tall, spare, angular figure of President Few as the best guarantee against "monkey-bills" in the South. Of ancient and distinguished lineage, he rose to fame as a scholar and teacher of English literature. "Religion and education; not two but one and inseparable" is the motto of Duke University. Last autumn he added a school of religion to his university, but it is no secret that this scholar-gentleman looks forward most eagerly to establishing a great medical school. Meanwhile five sons attach him to youth.

Anti-evolutionism received two other set-backs during the week. The lower half of the Arkansas legislature passed s bill prohibiting evolution-teaching in the schools. Citizens thronged the senate galleries for a "monkey show." But the senate tabled the bill without even discussing it.

In the New Hampshire legislature, an anti-evolution bill was quietly throttled in committee meeting.

*When the late James B. Duke's tobacco-built estate is administered Duke is to have 80 millions (TIME, Dec. 15, 1924). /-Not to be contused with the militantly Fundamentalist denomination, Baptist.