The Share of Agriculture in the National Income

The Academic Mind and Reform: The Influence of Richard T. Ely in American Life

“…The Elys did more entertaining than they had in Baltimore. "Never in my life-North, South, East, or West, in Europe, or in America-have I been more charmingly entertained than I was by Mrs. Ely 57 Ely could be proud of the record of the School of Economics, Political Science and History during the nineties. By the end of the decade the school offered fifty-three courses, and the staff had a notable record for original investigations and publications.…”

“…"One might almost at times suspect a secret conspiracy with the administrative authorities that labor-laws should remain a dead letter. Yet we talk about the moral depravity of the working classesl" 57 In order to overcome the "pride and arrogance" of the captains of industry on the question of arbitration, Ely believed labor unions had to be strengthened. For the individual employee had no chance of winning a compromise or just settlement against the giant corporation.…”

“…5 8 Although Ely in his theoretical and descriptive analysis tended to credit labor unions with almost every conceivable good, he skirted the vital question of whether labor organizations could actually have a substantial effect on general wage rates. John Stuart Mill had popularized the thesis that 57 Ely, "Arbitration," p. 324n. Also see Ely, "Suggestions for Social Topics: VIII, Labor Organizations," Christian Advocate, LXVI (Sept. 10, 1891), 602.…”

“…And he established closer relations with the major state agencies, preparing the way for the peculiar nature of the Progressive Movement in Wisconsin. 57 See Curti and Carstensen, University af Wisconsin, I, 636-639, Ely's increasing involvement in administrative duties corresponded with the changing character of his role as a reformer. He became more conservative and tended to cloister himself within the academic world.…”

“…Even the Nation reluctantly withdrew its charges. 57 The very fact that the regents called a hearing differentiated the Ely case from similar controversies. At the same time Ely skirted the vital issue of academic freedom.…”