The following brief “State of the Department of Economics” memorandum written by the Harry A. Millis, the chairman of the University of Chicago’s economics department (1928-1938), was found in the files of the President Robert M. Hutchins for whose eyes the memo was clearly intended. I wonder who was the “understudy” of Henry Schultz that needed to be replaced (Theodore Otte Yntema? Argument for hiring Oskar Lange?).
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A MEMORANDUM ON THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
[Summer?, 1937]
Since I became chairman in 1928, the department has had a twenty-year program which it has held in mind all the while and which, with minor revisions, is, we believe, a sound one.
This program called, first of all, for a solution of the problem presented by classes in elementary economics. This work has been taken over by the College and is being done well. No problem is presented there at this time except that of appropriate rank and remuneration in the cases of a very few persons attached to the Department of Economics.
The program next called for (a) protecting ourselves where relatively strong, and (b) for filling in three important gaps – in course offerings and research – in public utilities, agricultural economics and money and banking.
The long depression has made it impossible to fill in any of these gaps. They should be filled in as soon as the finances of the University permit. From the point of view of training graduate students, work in public utilities should perhaps be provided first. One man is needed and it would be very desirable to have him trained in Law as well as in Economics and to have him divide his time between the Department and the Law School. This matter has been discussed with Dean Bigelow who appears to be favorable to the position herein stated. The need for a good man is agricultural economics is great. When it is possible to meet that specific need, a corresponding need in Sociology should be kept in mind. The need in money and banking is for an outstanding man who can play a role in Chicago, attract to the University promising students whose first interest is money and banking, and do important research work and publish the results. The need is not particularly for more or better courses. The formal courses in money and banking are fairly adequate and are unusually well taught.
For maintaining our position where we have been or are relatively strong, three things are needed. (a) Schultz must have his understudy replaced. This is imperative. (b) With the retirement of the Chairman, and excellent man must be found in Labor Economics to share the work with Douglas. The man should be a very promising young man with excellent training in and with full appreciation of Economics. (c) It is important at or before the beginning of next autumn quarter to disconnect Leland from the Tax Commission and get him back at the University on a full-time basis. This will require a salary readjustment.
With the changes noted in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Department can for several years maintain the position it has held, provided those who now constitute the staff remain at the University. However, the time is at hand when we should secure one, two, or three most promising young men, who, in a favorable environment, will ripen into the strong men needed to replace the best of the present members of the staff as they get old or sever connections with the University. These young men could share in the teaching of the “200” courses and gradually be inducted into graduate instruction. The fact is that the staff is so short that it is difficult to man the junior and senior classes on the Quadrangles. For some years, it has been impossible for the Department to assume much responsibility for offerings at University College.
Nothing has been said concerning the employment of a man who might become Chairman of the Department. I think I worry less than any one else about the chairmanship. I am confident the matter can be adequately taken care of by the present staff, at least for the time being. With replacements or additions, however, it would be appropriate to keep that matter in mind. As it is handled from year to year, it should always be understood that the appointments are annual and that an incumbent chairman has no vested interest.
Save for one case, I have said nothing concerning needed salary adjustments. The fact is that five adjustments are needed as soon as they can be made. These, however, are discussed more appropriately in connection with a budget.
H. A. Millis
Source: University of Chicago Library, Department of Special Collections. Office of the President. Hutchins Administration. Records. Box 72, Folder “Economics Department, 1937-1939”.
Image Source: Undated picture of Harry A. Millis. University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf1-00875, Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.