Life, 1929-03-08 · page 20 of 44
Life — March 8, 1929 — page 20: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
**Main Article: "Dare to Be a Daniel!"** E.S. Martin discusses the declining prestige of university presidencies. He notes that Dr. Little recently resigned from the University of Michigan presidency "in disgust," and observes that college president positions—once desirable—are now frequently advertised in want ads. Martin suggests the job has become unattractive because state university presidents must navigate political pressures from politicians and taxpayers who interfere with educational decisions. He argues that despite these difficulties, the position still attracts some principled leaders willing to fight for institutional integrity. **"Life's Little Ironies"** Robert Lord presents a satirical telephone conversation where someone receives a call from an unknown person bearing a letter of introduction. The recipient fabricates increasingly elaborate excuses to avoid meeting the visitor—claiming business trips to Siam, Korea, and Persia—while offering vague promises to reconnect "next April" or later. The humor lies in the transparent, polite dishonesty of social rejection masquerading as genuine interest. The cartoons illustrate similar themes of social awkwardness and professional frustration common to the era.
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18 Dare to Be a Daniell! By E. S. Martin Dr. Little who became President of the University of Michigan about four years ago, has resigned. It may be said, probably with truth, that he re- signed in disgust. At any rate he ceased to like the job and quit. Time was when to be President of a University seemed a desirable em- ployment. The situations were highly respectable, their emoluments were hot very disproportionate to the simpler needs of two generations ago, and in those times there were not so many colleges. But now one would like to know about how many colleges are ad- vertising for presidents in the want col- umns, and about how many contem- porary college presidents like their job. Some of them do undoubtedly. Dr. Alderman has been President of the University of Virginia for twenty-five years. Dr. Lowell has been President of Harvard for twenty years. But one would like to know what is the aver- age term of office of college presidents in the United States. To be President of a State University, the income of which depends upon the will of local statesmen seems apt to be an uneasy employment. The local statesmen are politicians and are apt to have political needs and aspirations. They are liable Ray Miaat Suxpurn. My love is like a red, red rose. also to have notions as to what should be taught and, of course, they take heed of what they think the taxpayers think they think. To direct the edu- cational processes of a university to meet the wishes of politicians and tax- payers can hardly be a happy-warrior job, and even trustees may be difficult. But, after all, the easiest jobs with the largest emoluments are not those that most appeal to the loftiest spirits. The very perils of being a college presi- dent may help to make the calling at- tractive. To a calling that invites to battle there will always be response. “It’s an auto horn I bought at the automobile show, and I'm going to practice with it, until you buy me a car to put it on!” Life’s Little Ironies “Hello. Yeh. Speaking. What? You have a what? Oh, you have a letter. A letter to me from who— whom—who? A letter of introduction from Joe Wankus. That's just dandy but I don’t happen to know anybody by that name. Oh, I met him in Fracas, Idaho four years ago last sum- mer, did I? Well, well, well. Isn't— isn’t the world a small place after all. Uh—um—how long are you going to be in town? You're going to be here permanently. Marvelous. And Joe Wankus said I'd take care of you— see that you met a lot of nice people, did he? Well, well, that’s—simply colossal. Now lemme see what we'd better do. Just lemme see. Uh—um— I'd ask you to have lunch with me to- day but—but I’m awfully busy. You see as a matter of fact I’m just getting ready to—to go to—Siam. Yeh, I goto Korea frequently—I mean, Siam. Yeh, our firm does a big business in the South Sea islands. I'll tell you what you do, Mr.—uh—Mr.—you give me a buzz just as soon as I get back to town and I'll take you over to the club for lunch. I won't be gone long. T ought to be back about—about next —April if I make good connections. Well, I'm sure glad you called me up. Yes indeed. Any friend of Jim—uh— Jim Pinkus is a friend of mine. If you don’t get in touch with me, I'll be sure to give you a buzz as soon as I get back from—Persia. Well, good- by. Good-by, Mr.—uh—Mr.—er—um.” Robert Lord. comicbooks.com