Part 1 - The Institute Libraries - Institute for Advanced Study

f need not repeat the grounds of my objection. But I may
say that such a society as I envissge precludes an adminis-
trator who plays Lady Bountiful or, to keep my sex straight,
Kris Kringle .... The Institute's concern is so to fix salaries
as to enable a man to live as a civilized gentleman in a
world in vhich the family is the ordinary social unit. You
seem to Ge to have a little bit too much of the administra-
tor's confidence in assuming (a) that you can spot the man
'who is trying to make a good bargain,' or (b) that you
could plan the life of a ran vho is too shy or too proud to
enter into the realm of bargaining. And if you'll forgive
me fcr saying so, you also have a little bit of the optimism
of the idministrator who thinks his scheme 'works perfectly*
because evils have not yet disclosed themselves, and partic-
ularly have not been disclosed to him.
Frm ill of which YOU will gather that I feel very strongly
about this. It is only one aspect of my conviction that a
society of scholars implies a democratic aristocracy like
unto the self-gove-nt by vhich say, Balliol is conducted.
This implies impersonal equality znd self-govemnt by the
group. Those are the aims tc vhich I am cmitted. I vrite
this frankly because you ray think that, holding these views,
I m y not be a very useful member for your Board. If so,
I'd better get off before I am on. In putting this to you,
I am quite ivpersonal. It has nothing to do with our personal
relations, and they would remain v:hat they vere before, were
you to tell me that perhaps it is just as well tbt I resign
before I become active. 35
The Director did not reply in the heat of his first reaction.
Re vas a proud man, and sensitive as only a sentirental person.can be.
He consulted Dr. Aydelotte before ansvering. Then it was apparent that
the sarcasm had found its mark; he reproved Frankfurter for his "blunt-
ness." He had never attended a Board meting at vhich some reference
to Gemn universities was not made, and probably never would. His
"exuberant rhetoric" vas merely a manner of speaking colorfully; men
now and then engaged in such flights. He did not regard himself as an
administrator; he vas fully capable of directing the Institute. He gave
not an inch and concluded with perfunctory politesse and thehope that
"ve may continue to enjoy the benefits of your co-operation and experience