Part 1 - The Institute Libraries - Institute for Advanced Study

of August, 1932, Alexznder's terns vere specified and represented a
distinct departure from past practice. 63
On that sene day Dr. Flexngs wrote as tactfully as possible to
Dr. von Keunnnn, saying that he was not to be ~ppofnted to tk Institute,
because no good would derive from moving men like pawns on z checkerboard,
and suggesting that he consider favorzbly a new Brrzngenent which Flexner
hoped Dean Eisenkart could "work out whfch will give you a pemnent post
in his department," A copy of this letter vent to Eisenbart, with a
brief note:
Now thzt you have weakened yourself by stepping generocsly
out 05 the wzy as far as Veblen and Alexander are concerned,
it seen-& to re wise and prudent that we should. bend our
united efforts tc keep your departrent up to a level at
least as high as t kt of the Institute. Between us we shall
then have probably a mathmatical outftt najhgre surpa~sed.~
Three days leter Dr. Weyl "resignedn fret his edmitmnt to come
to the Institute. Between the 12th and the 24th of Januasy it was decided
between the prefessor himelf, Efsenhart, Flexner and Veblen that the
Institute should appoint Dr. van Neuwnn. The Executive C dttee approved
the appointment on the 28th, just before the Founders left for thelr win-
ter vacation in the West, 65
The three appointments of Princeton faculty mmkrs to the In-
stftute took place during an fnterregnam et the University, although Mr.
Hibben was st511 there but not as President, when Veblen's was discussed
in June, 1932. Mr. Hibben hsd succeeded Woodraw Wilson. He retired in
1932, and the Trustees of the University, apyrentfy unable to agree on a
successor, appointed Professor Henry Green Mfield, Professcr of Phil-
osophy * Aci%'ng- ~rh'sidenz~ (1932-19339 %
It was his lot to preside off tcially