IN RE JOHNSON

In a letter printed elsewhere in these columns there is a vigorous argument against the stand taken by the CRIMSON's editorial on the case of Oakley Johnson. That editorial stated that the dismissal of Johnson from his position as teacher in the New York City College was a violation of academic freedom, since the removal was, according to press reports, due to the teacher's opinion concerning Communism, and further due to his leadership of the City College Liberal Club, a Communist organization.

Whether there were other reasons for removing Mr. Johnson the CRIMSON does not know, and does not see fit to determine. The issue rests on the fact that authorities of the City College saw fit to consider personal opinions sufficient ground for dismissal, for they made no other reasons public. Obviously this is a violation of academic freedom, in that a Faculty member is forced either to conform to the made of thinking prescribed by the government of the City of New York, or to hand in his resignation.

It is because Mr. Johnson's merits as a teacher never entered into the question, but only a phase of his private life was considered, that the removal may be considered a violation of academic freedom. As such it is a bad precedent, one which can hardly be defended by arguing that the dismissal was necessary to the safety of New York City.