Page:The Wisconsin idea (IA cu31924032449252).pdf/161

 denied. It is true that it has been frequently accused of "ruling the state." But as a general rule the professors wait until asked before venturing to give an opinion upon a public question; indeed, they are generally afraid of criticism, and it sometimes requires a great deal of urging upon the part of the legislature to obtain their help. During many years of legislative work the writer has found the members of the legislature glad indeed to confer with the expert professor and ask his advice, be it on a question of tuberculosis, the chemistry of gas or the regulation of monopoly. Such professors are often reviled and censured as endangering the life of the university—accused of throwing it into politics—but never in all that time has the author heard a single comment involving the names of professors who were engaged as well-paid experts by private corporations. No comments were made when a man connected with the university law school, for instance, was registered as the "counsel before the legislature for all public service corporations," and yet at the same time other men whose advice was sought by legislators were attacked fiercely because of unpaid toil. Many attorneys and scientists of both types have been before the legislature but there has been no criticism of the former class; indeed they deserved none, as they were all men of high standing and rendered good service before the legislature, for which they were well paid by private parties.