Project Editor: Jeffrey Miller, History 470: Digital History, Spring 2008

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Suspend 2 Professors in Dry Raid

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NEBRASKA U. BOARD VOTES THEM OUT

Regents Act After Hearing Testimony of Officers Who Broke Up Barb Mixer

Dr. L. C. Wimberly, professor of English at the University of Nebraska, and N. E. Eliason, instructor in English, were suspended by the board of regents until Sept. 1, 1932, as the outgrowth of a raid by federal agents and police Feb. 13 on a "barb" mixer at the University Coliseum in Lincoln.

Notice of the suspension was made public Wednesday by Chancellor E. A. Burnett.

"The regents in executive session Tuesday heard testimony of the two city detectives and a campus policeman, and read affidavits from federal agents," said Chancellor Burnett. "On the basis of the evidence it was decided to suspend Dr. Wimberly and Mr. Eliason for the rest of the school year."

Prof. Wimberly and Eliason also testified before the regents, but no testimony was made public. Previously, Prof. Wimberly stated he was making the rounds of the building at the conclusion of the dance, as is the custom, that he saw a bottle containing liquor on the table and was about to order Williams out of the building when the raiders entered.

Prof. Wimberly and Mr. Eliason were chaperons at the "barb mixer."

Prof. Wimberly and Mr. Eliason were questioned after the raid at the close of the mixer, when Alan Williams, former "barb" leader at the university, was arrested on liquor possession charges.

Chancellor Burnett said the regents' investigation showed no students in the university had anything to do with the liquor seized by the federal agents.

Prof. Wimberly said he intended to remain in Lincoln as editor of the Prairie Schooner, a literary publication which receives some support from the university. He declined to state whether he would seek reinstatement Sept. 1. He has been at the university since 1917 and has been a full professor since 1929.

He said he would have to seek a new business manager of the magazine, as Alan Williams has resigned.

Mr. Eliason said he was undecided on his future plans.