The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-19
PULLMAN COLLEGE DoRMIroRY.
Regent Smith COncurs In the View That
tho Advancement II Bad.

Regent Smith COncurs in the View That
the Arrangement 10 Bad.
TACOMA. Dec. ia-tspecial. Regent A. Fl.
Smith, of the State Agricultural college, il a
contractor and builder He was asked today if
the reference made in today's Posi- -INTELLIeES-
GER to the college dormitory, was in accordance
with the facts, and If so, why he fRegent SMITH,
oeing practical builder and an architect, did
not see to 1t that the plans shorn OF the de-
fects referred to- Mr.. Smith said:
believe that the dormitory is not what it
should be. also agree with Prof. Heston that
there should be detached buildings on the cot
tage order. Students should have the element
OF home life In their surroundings Therefore
tnere snouid be collection OF small buildings,
covering most of the campus. The dormtory
was suggested by Prof. Lilley, end represents
MS ldea OF what dormitory ought to be. The
plans were approved at a meeting which did
not attend. Before going to the meeting Presi-
Dent Conover assured me that no action regard
ing any OF the college buildings would be taken
was taken. and the dormitory plans were ap-
proved as submitted by the architect We had
been tied up, SO far as building was concerned,
ali summer, and was told there was great de-
sire to do something did not approve of the
dOrmitOry plans.
The minutes will show for what purpose the
meeting was called and what was done. I was
told there was no particular business to transact,
but that it was desirable that the Pullman peo-
pie De shown what We were doing. Besides sp-
proving OF the d0rmitory plans a plan was sub
mitted and approved for . foundation OF the
main college building, a structure some $40 feet
long, and which was to cost $750000. There
wasn't anything modern about this building,
and to carry out the cottage idea building $40
feet long would bs entirely out of proportion
and harmony: Besidsss We had no money to
build such building.
There has been some talk in this city BY
friends OF Pullman about feeling that 10 said
to exist there against Regent Smith. 1t has been
said the reason why the plans were rushed
through at the meeting he did not attend, was for
the purpose OF adding sort of "sinker" to the
college site aud prevent any other section of the
state plucking it up aud carrying 1t away. The
purport OF such gossip was repeated to Regent
Smith, and his opinion in the matter was solic.
tied He said:
do not believe tho best people of Pullman
feel otherwise than friendly toward me and any
pans in which / am interested. Their conver-
sation leads me to believe this. Still. l have
heard unpleasant press utterances l know
have been called an obstructionist because dtd
not approve OF that S70-foot building. By start
ing the foundation for this building the Pull
man people may have thereby expected to tie
down, in their opinion. the college-site PROPOSE
tion Now, believe this.feeling, II il does ex.
q mistake. Nearly 100000 have been expended
on the Pullman location,>and for that reason, il
for no other, there could be no change. Besides,
we have spent $50 900 of the government fund
Oh the Pullman site, and to 60 to the government
now and say we had made mistake or anything
OF that sort would look ridiculous. At the time
not preseot, we had no money to expeud for any
such purpose. What would be the sense of ex-
cavating tor q foundation Tor building costing
$750,000? When / explained the situation to
Pullman people they have agreed with me that
i was right
Tomorrow morning the regents will meet
here, probably AT Hotel Tacoma, and agree upon
a report to the legislature which will show the
progress OF their work and its present status
The items of expense to be submitted for audit
ing will cover all Of the $50. 600 appropriated by
the last legislature, including $4,000 for the
dormitory, 5000 for the college hall, $1,000 for
shops and boiler house, and 81, 800 paid for the
building erected by the citizens of Pullman
during the time that the commission was
enjoined from going ahead with build
ing work on account OF lack of funds to carry
out the contemplated extensions The balance
OF $l3 400 has been expended in incidental Ways
including per diem payments to regents, salaries
of the faculty, travelling expenses, etc. Besides
the state appropriation, $4,000 of the govern
ment fund has been expended. The report will
only show the progress of the work and the ex-
penses to November l.
Tomorrow afternoon Prof Hestou and Regent
Smith will leave for Pullman, to be present at
the close of the school year, in order to present
Prof. Heston, 50 that he may meet the faculty
and pupils before they dsperke for the holidavs