“But outside their cities which, of course, suffered from the evils of over-population, in the general country, what was the state of law and order?” I could not but admit that as respecting the observance of law, I had no defence to offer. “However,” I hastened to add, “it is only fair to remark that in 1929 we were in a transitional stage. New experiments in government and new authorities in social and religious forms had to be worked out and if the surface indications were chaotic, I believe it was simply the ferment that accompanies the rise of new standards and the re-establishing of authority.” “In a way you are right,” said Manfreda, nodding, “for the age of standardization that followed was at least a return to discipline. But I am anxious to know what was the position of the university in all this?” “Again I must plead that the universities too, were in a transitional stage,” I said frowning, for I feared this question. “In what way?” “They were passing through a period of great material building; providing for the future, by the laying down of great laboratories and recitation halls; expanding their housing and the income available for their faculties.” “This is the explanation. What were the facts?” “With the notable exceptions of the technical schools, the universities were intent on raising the standards of the mass.” “But if you admit democracy as a principle of civilization, Bogardus, this would seem a natural and laudable object. You hesitate. Is it possible that the mass did not respond?” “I cannot truthfully claim that the average college student of my day was occupied with the pursuit of knowledge. A college experience was regarded as a school for character. It was a sort of social melting pot which at the time certainly had a certain value. A man who was an outstanding figure in his class--” “As a remarkable student, Bogardus?” said Doctrina, maliciously. “Well, no. A man who excelled in running and jumping, or in the control of round balls, whether baseball or golf or tennis or football, or a man who had certain natural social gifts, undoubtedly profited by these attainments in college by making certain restricted groups called societies or clubs and in after life by the friendships thus formed with powerful elements in society.” “But those in control of the universities, for you must have had men of pre-eminent intellectual abilities on your faculties, did they look with favor on such a distortion of values?” “Individually no. Collectively they acquiesced in the program of material expansion which tolerated this system in order to use it.” “Use it? In what way?” “By the bequests of millions of dollars which they received by an adroit appeal to the emotional quality of loyalty to the Alma Mater.” My exposition was received, I could see, with profound astonishment.