SAY PROFESSOR FIRED FOR LOW RATE EFFORTS
Say Professor Fired for Low Rate Efforts Dr. Downes Fought for Cuts in Oneonla Light Bills ONEONTA, N. Y.—The dismissal of Dr. Randolph C. Downes. head of the history and government department of...
...N. Y. — Plans for a home-building program under which CIO members can build their own homes for $.125 down and small monthly rent payments were announced by Local 36...
...Downes' political activities were a conscientious expression of his civic duties," the students' leaflet said, "and that he was quite within his rights...
...Supported in his request for a hearing by the college president, Henry J. Arnold...
...head of the history and government department of Hartwick college, will be investigated by a committee of prominent professors, it was said last week by the National Academic Freedom committee of the American Federation of Teachers (AFL...
...When Downes learned that Onconta residents were paying the fifth highest rate in New York state, he asked Mayor Daniel Franklin to investigate...
...The story of the lower rate campaign is told in a leaflet issued by the student body...
...Result was appointment of a committee to confer with local officials of the II...
...The houses, costing $2,500...
...We feel that it is unfair to dismiss a professor on the basis presented by the board...
...Warned against his participation in politics...
...United Construction Workers Organizing committee (CIO...
...Downes tried to present his case to the board...
...In doing so he stepped on the toes of the New York State Gas and Electric Co., a subsidiary of the Associated Gas and Electric Co., whose chief officers were recently indicted for fraud...
...CIO Planning New Homes Program BUFFALO...
...Shortly afterward the company announced a rate cut...
...Downes was allegedly denied renewal of his contract because as Otsego county chairman of the American Labor party he carried through a successful campaign for lower light rates...
...The teacher's activity in the ALP was also seen as a sore spot...
...Walter Curt Behrendt, director of the City Planning association, and two Buffalo architects have agreed to participate in the plan, said UCWOC Organizer J. Goodman Jr...
...C. Hopson utility...
...Pressure from the private utility is believed to have been a major factor in antagonizing the board toward Downes...
...After he outlined his story he asked if any board members had questions...
...Before the professor had a chance to answer queries, the meeting was abruptly adjourned by the chairman, former Supreme Court Justice Abraham L. Kellogg...
...The board stated that Downes had taken part in political activities "antagonistic to many people in the community," to which the college "looks for support and co-operation...
...will be built by contractors under UCWOC contracts and will be financed through the FHA mortgage insurance plan...
...We feel that Dr...
...Downes had resigned from the county chairmanship several mon.hs ago...
...He had, however, retained his membership...
Vol. 10 • May 1940 • No. 21
