Word: conant
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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Yesterday Mr. Conant began his speech by asking the question whether a "free and classless society" was a valid ideal or an illusion. Thereupon he set out to prove that the former was true. His argument might be staked out in two claims: first, that the essence of a classless society is a high degree of "social mobility"--or equality of opportunity for each member of a new generation regardless of his inherited social position; and second, that this social mobility can be largely obtained by, education. After hearing him out, most of his listeners must have been unconvinced...
...even fight Mr. Conant on his own ground by granting him his sweeping generalization of the classless society. But it is impossible to concede to him that such a society is so easy of attainment. Mr. Conant must be over-impressed with the importance of his profession if he believes that education is a force powerful enough to go far in annihilating caste barriers. It seems necessary--even if it is trite--to remind him that equality of ability and equality of training do not mean equality of opportunity. Economic power still continues to be a decisive factor...
Before social mobility could be attained it would be necessary to break the back of economic power. It would be necessary for the government to adopt extreme measures such as completely confiscatory inheritance taxes. It is true that Mr. Conant briefly takes cognizance of these problems, but he vastly under-rates them. The fact remains that it is impossible automatically to redistribute power and privilege at the end of each generation unless there is a simultaneous radical redistribution of wealth...
...equally fortunate choice is the Plan's executive secretary. Ranking Counselor Smith has the experience, the energy, and the time to make of himself an admirable liaison and field officer for Dr. Malone. President Conant's creation of the secretaryship was a wise adjustment to the practical needs of the situation...
President Conant points out that clear thinking is not promoted by hysterical inhibitions against the thought of war. Behind the British navy we feel secure from material attack, but only when the Nazi gangsters are checked without profit, can we lay the menace of their poisonous ideology. Meanwhile the rising generation gives scant evidence of readiness to assume America's fair share in the defense of our civilization. Even those exposed to education incline to turn from the leadership appearing in the university world and take up the chant of the politicians: Be selfish. Be short sighted. Be cowardly...