Ohio History Journal

Minutes of the Meeting of the

Minutes of the Meeting of the

Ohio Academy of History,

Columbus, April 4, 1959

THE OHIO ACADEMY OF HISTORY held its twenty-sixth annual meeting

at the Ohio State Museum on Saturday, April 4, 1959.

Three concurrent morning sessions were devoted to a variety of

topics. Alfred D. Low of Youngstown University, as chairman of the

section on modern European history, introduced David C. Riede of the

University of Akron and Grover C. Platt of Bowling Green State

University, who presented papers entitled, respectively, "National So-

cialism and the Catholic Church" and "German Social Democracy,

1946-1958: An Appraisal." Discussion was led by Irwin Abrams of

Antioch College. In the area of American history, with Francis P.

Weisenburger of Ohio State University in the chair and James H.

Rodabaugh of the Ohio Historical Society leading the discussion, Wil-

liam G. Keener of the Ohio Historical Society presented a paper on "His-

torical Villages: Fact, Fiction, and Function" and Walt P. Marchman

of the Rutherford B. Hayes Library one on "Research Projects at the

Rutherford B. Hayes Library." Richard A. Thompson of Ohio Univer-

sity was chairman of the third session, a seminar on American foreign

policy. A paper by Thomas LeDuc of Oberlin College, "Exports as

the Most Consistent Theme in American Foreign Policy," which had

been distributed prior to the meeting, was the focal point of the discus-

sion, in which Lawrence S. Kaplan of Kent State University, Harris

G. Warren of Miami University, and the speaker took the lead.

Paul I. Miller of Hiram College, president of the Academy, presided

at the luncheon, which was served to 105 persons at the Ohio Union.

The Certificate of Award for Historical Achievement in 1958 was pre-

sented to John F. Cady of Ohio University for his book, A History of

Modern Burma. The announcement was made by Donald P. Gavin of

John Carroll University, chairman of the Committee on Awards. The

president, after reading Article VII, Section 2, of the Ohio Academy

of History Constitution, recognized the secretary-treasurer, who pre-

300 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

300 THE OHIO HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

sented a resolution submitted by the unanimous action of the Executive

Committee. The resolution stated:

Resolved, that, in accordance with Article VII, Section 2, of the

Constitution of the Ohio Academy of History, an honorary life mem-

bership be presented to Carl Wittke of Western Reserve University in

recognition of his long and distinguished service in the field of history.

Stanton Ling Davis moved the adoption of the resolution; it was sec-

onded by many of those present, and was approved by acclamation.

The luncheon session closed with the principal address of the day,

"Truth in History," by Walter C. Langsam, president of the Univer-

sity of Cincinnati.

The business meeting, a summary of which appears below, preceded

two concurrent afternoon sessions at the Museum. At one, A. A. Sker-

pan of Kent State University presented "New Dealism in Old Russia:

State Intervention and Planning in the National Economy One Hun-

dred Years Ago." Arvel B. Erickson of Western Reserve University

was chairman and Andre L. de Saint Rat led the discussion. The other,

with Carl G. Klopfenstein of Heidelberg College as chairman, featured

a paper by Randolph C. Downes of the University of Toledo, "Warren

G. Harding--Chief Victim of the Muck-for-Muck's-Sake Writers of the

1920's and 1930's." The discussion leader was Virginia B. Platt of

Bowling Green State University.

Forty-six members attended the business meeting, which was con-

ducted by President Miller. It was voted to dispense with the reading

of the minutes of the 1958 meeting, since they had been published in the

Ohio Historical Quarterly for July 1958. The secretary-treasurer re-

ported briefly on the successful Fall Meeting at Bowling Green in

October 1958. He recounted the action of the Executive Committee

in authorizing a registration fee at the annual meeting to alleviate the

financial crisis facing the Academy. The current total of eighty paid

members is approximately one-third less than that of four years ago.

The resulting decrease in income coupled with rising costs of postage

and stationery has reduced the treasury to an alarmingly low level. It

is hoped that a projected membership campaign will restore the size of

the membership at least to its 1955 level.

William L. Wannemacher of Kent State University, chairman of the

Program Committee, expressed his appreciation to his committee mem-

bers, to the speakers, and to everyone else who assisted in planning the

program.

OHIO ACADEMY OF HISTORY 301

OHIO ACADEMY OF HISTORY 301

Duane D. Smith of the University of Toledo rendered a progress

report for the Committee on Standards, of which he is chairman. He

summarized the results of a survey conducted relative to standards

and salaries of the history profession in Ohio, and recommended further

inquiry and study along these lines.

Wilfred J. Steiner of the University of Dayton, speaking for the

chairman of the Committee on Nominations, who was unable to attend,

presented the following slate of officers for 1959-60 and moved its

adoption:

For president--James H. Rodabaugh, Ohio Historical Society

For vice-president--Wilfred E. Binkley, Ohio Northern University

For secretary-treasurer--John S. Still, Ohio Historical Society

The motion was seconded and unanimously approved, and the nom-

inees were declared elected.

The secretary-treasurer then read a proposed amendment to the Con-

stitution submitted by the President. It called for deletion of the words

"composed of three members of the Academy" from Sections 1 and 3

of Article VI, in effect removing the restriction on the number of mem-

bers to be appointed to the Committees on Awards and Nominations.

No motion to adopt being forthcoming, the proposed amendment was

withdrawn.

Landon Warner of Kenyon College offered the following resolution:

Resolved, that the Ohio Academy of History express its appreciation

to Dr. William L. Wannemacher and his colleagues on the Program

Committee; to Mrs. Winifred Smith and Mrs. Louise Johnson of the

Ohio Historical Society; to the Ohio Union; and to the Ohio State

Museum for their respective contributions to the success of this meeting.

The president thanked his fellow officers and the members of the

various committees, as listed below, for their enthusiastic cooperation

during his term of office, after which the meeting adjourned.

Committee on Awards: Donald P. Gavin, John Carroll University,

chairman; Charles R. Mayes, Ohio University; Henry H. Simms, Ohio

State University.

Committee on Nominations: Dwight L. Smith, Miami University,

chairman; C. H. Cramer, Western Reserve University; Wilfred J.

Steiner, University of Dayton.