Betrayed Yet Again?

Now for a curious horror story that is more than an entertainment

Walter Brasch--frequent columnist for this newspaper, professor of journalism at Bloomsburg University and author of nine published books--after five years of research into the death of the Bethlehem Globe-Times, has written a book entitled "Betrayed: The Death of an American Newspaper."In it he charges that The Globe-Times died from a number of causes, but that among these was mismanagement

Now The Globe-Times' last publisher--in the period when the mismanagement was possibly at its worst--was Nancy Adams (Ann) Taylor, who "was naive and didn't fail so much as she allowed others to make bad decisions on her behalf,"in Brasch's judgment.

Now Mrs. Taylor is a wealthy woman whose beneficence local universities and other institutions hope to attract. Having not had read Brasch's book, I have no idea whether his description of the paper's death is correct And nothing I write here should be taken as suggesting that I hold Mrs. Taylor in any way responsible for the following:

Brasch submitted the complete manuscript of "Betrayed"to Lehigh University Press. The book was first read by Philip Metzger, director of the press, then by a number of scholars who were asked to read the book without knowing the author's name, and finally by the press's editorial board. All reacted with enthusiasm and the board voted to publish. In due course, Brasch signed a contract with Associated University Presses, a consortium of about 10 East Coast University presses.

Publication on Dec. 1 was announced in the Lehigh Press catalog and the book was set in print. In keeping with the usual practice, the book in galley form was sent to the treasurer of the university for the purpose of having a lawyer assigned who would check it for possible legal problems.

Brasch says he was told by persons at Lehigh University that the university treasurer became concerned about the book's references to Mrs. Taylor, and--without consulting an attorney--sent it on to the provost of the university, Alan W. Pense.

And then, suddenly, the book was no longer on the schedule.

In a telephone interview, Lehigh University Press Director Metzger was reluctant to talk about "Betrayed"because, he said, "we are still looking at it."There were problems the nature of which he would not discuss. Asked whether those problems were editorial, he repeated that he could not comment.

Provost Pense was equally reluctant. He had been asked to read the book and found "problems"with it, he said. The only specific he would give me was that the style of the book was "sensationalistic."Asked directly whether the concern related to references to Mrs. Taylor, he said that was "possible,"but that he did not wish to discuss the problems at this time. He is to bring his concerns, he said, to a meeting of the editorial committee early this month.

Pense indicated that he may be willing to talk about the matter after the meeting.

Now, whatever the style of Brasch's book, the Lehigh University Press board--the body that is charged with deciding what to publish--earlier determined that "Betrayed"was worthy of publication. The decision to at least delay, and possible prevent publication of the book under the Lehigh imprint, was taken not by the board but by Lehigh University's treasurer and provost--people not usually involved in such decisions.

Their participation in the process after contracts arc signed, is usually considered an infringement on First Amendment and academic freedom.

Brasch says that he has never been officially notified by Lehigh University that his book is not to be published, but he understands that the editorial board of Fairleigh-Dickinson University Press, Teaneck, N.J., another member in the Associated University Presses; has reviewed the manuscript, and found it to be "a substantial work of scholarship;"and has approved it for publication.

Given the facts on the record, it's difficult to avoid the conclusion that Lehigh University officials are seeking to suppress "Betrayed"because they fear the effect it may have on donations they hope to receive from Mrs. Taylor.

Lehigh University may be a private university, but it receives many public benefits, tax exemption, and federal funds for student aid and research projects to name only a few. We have a right to expect that it will act as a responsible institution in a democratic society. If it discriminated against students or faculty based on religion, race or political beliefs, it rightly would be subject to criticism. If it fired a professor because of pressure from one or more contributors, outrage on behalf of academic freedom would be broadcast throughout the land.

What the university appears to have done in this instance is even worse.

Why is this a horror story? At the heart of our democracy is the right of freedom of speech and press. If we are to be allowed to hear or read only those views which are approved by the wealthy, the wealthy will, in effect, select our government for us.

Lehigh is obliged to publish books of merit without fear. For the University Press to cave in to the anticipation of pressure is beneath the dignity of a great university. It aids in the suppression of democracy and impairs our ability to learn the cause of death of the dominant paper in the Saucon Valley for most of this century.

Selections of this book:

Prologue
Acknowledgements
Introduction