The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-09
1T is SETTLED NOW.
State and Local Boards of Education Have
Adjusted All Differences.

Adjusted All Differences.
Independent: The differences of
opinion between the local executive
board of the agriculture college and
the state board of education have been
amicably settled and the possibility
of a ruption between them is steadily
growing more remote. For months the
question of who should sign the con-
tracts with the builder of the proposed
college buildings has been a bone of
contention between the two boards.
The local board thought the law made
1t the plain duty of the board to make
contracts. while the state board was
not sure about Ii. Attorney General
Haskell was of the opinion that the
state board should be the party of
the second part in the contracts. The
members of neither board had any
personal feeling over the matter. They
were all anxious to make certain of
the legality of the contracts, and the
differences Of opinion were based on
that motive alone. The local boards
of the other institutions admitted that,
in their cases. the state board was the
party to make the contracts. The law
establishing the agricultural college,
however is somewhat different in re-
speot to the powers of it's executive
board. than that of the other educa-
tional institutions, giving, as 1t does,
more authority to the local board.
At the meeting of the state board,
held Tuesday. Peter Koch and Gen.
L. S. Wilson. members of the local
executive board of the agricultural col
lege, explained the position of the
board in the matter. They said their
board had no desire to take upon 1t
duties not provided by law, but that
1t felt that the statute provided for
the local board making the contract
Their only wish. he said. was TO insure
the legality of the contract. so that In
case of possible litigation, no danger
Gus complications should arise. The
local board, however. was willing to
leave the matter entirely TO the state
board If the proceedings would be per-
fectly valid. This accorded with the
sentiment of the state board and an
agreement was readily reached. As a
compromise. the local board was au-
thorized to sign the contract with
Charles Suffer. who will erect the
buildings, as the agent of the state,
acting FOR and by authority of the
state board of education" This de-
cision applies to all the state instbtu-
tions of learning.
The local executive board of Normal
school earnestly protested against any
provision in its contract with Mr.. Sui
ter for the payment to the contractor
in installments on estimates to be APP
proved by the state board.
IF the estimates are to be approved
by the state board. which meets but
seldom" said the local board in it's
report to the state board, delays will
be the rule and not the exception, and
Mr. Suffer will never be able to get
his money as he is entitled to do. The
local board or committee should have
the management and control of all
n
as the law contemplates, otherwise
there will be delays that will certain
ly result in the slow and unsatisfactory
progress of the work.
Payment in installments was pro-
vided for in the first contracts drawn
up by the attorney general, but the
vigorous protest of the local board and
the contractor were not without effect.
In the contract last drawn up the
board was given authority ito pay
out money to the contractor without
first submitting estimates to the state
board. All he local boards were au-
thoriZed to pay bills and report the
same monthly ito the state board.
The normal school executive board
reported that 1t had. upon a thorough
investigation. found that wider and
more substantial footings for the foun-
dalton of the normal school building
original plans. owing to the sandy
character OF ground. would, IL used,
endanger the stability of the build
ing. After consulting the contractor
and architect. the board decided ITO put
in wider and deeper footings laid in
cement concrete at a cost of 81, 900.
This action and additional expense was
approved by the state board. 1t was
also decided to use terra Gotta and
nodded brick in the trimmings, there
by reducing the cost OF the building
81 900. The total cost of the building
after these changes will be $34.235. The
original price was 31.750. The local
board says there will be. IL Is believed,
no further changes necessary in the
plans of the building.
Now that the state board has de-
cided upon the technical details relat-
ing TO the building OF the agricultural
college. normal school and deaf and
dumb school buildings. the work will
doubtless go on smoothly enough. The
fOundati tons for the structures at Boze-
man and Dillon have been commenced,
and other important preliminary work
Is being pushed. When spring opens
and the weather will permit OF opera
tons. Contractor Suffer expects to
hurry along the buildings as fast as
possible.