The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-19
NEWS OF THE UNIVERSITY
Progress in Departments OF
Physics and Chemistry.
A YEAR OF IMPROVEMENT Is
4 Great Change in the Outside Arrank
ments-The University Is THANK
ful-The Montana Biolog-
ical Station.

cold snap with the muddy weather
Of the spring reminds us that one
of the great needs Of the university
is some suitable means of communica-
ton with the city. For one thing, tfle-
phonic communication Is an absolute
necessity, but has not been made. Then
there should be some suitable means of
getting from town. The university is
not far from town, and is, indeed, in
the incorporate limits. But there are
no houses or dormitories in the imme
date vicinity for a half dozen blocks.
Many of the students residing or board
ing on the north side are obliged to
make long detour to cross the river
on the bridge, making the distance as
long again as it would be. 1t is hoped
the effort to get a new bridge across
not be abandoned until success is
achieved. This bridge would shorten
by almost half the distance now
Travelled by dozens of students. But
another feature of still more Importance
is the urgent need of an electric nall
way. Students doSnot seem to patron
ize horse conveyance because they
can get there almost as soon on foot.
People as a rule do not ride because
they are too lazy to walk, but because
they want to get there. Even with the
old horse car that made two trips day
and sometimes cut across by the road
it was usually well loaded except in
the finest of weather. But with mod
ern electric car. cent fare and speed
such is ordinarily had in electric cars,
it is safe to say large percentage or
the students would ride. Missoula has
improved vastly since the university
started, and with it's scattered popula-
ton a car line should pay. There GER
tainly is demand for it so far as the
university is concerned. With bridge
across the river above the Rattlesnake
car line crossing both bridges would
make loup that would certainly be
well patronized and should pay.
The Montana biological station,
which held it's first session at Flat
head lake, is in good shape for Sue
cessful meeting this summer. Tho re-
port Of the director of the station was
made to the state board of education
at it's last session in Helena. The re-
port showed the total receipts through
contributions to be $753, with the ex
penses a few dollars more. The report
shows that two boats have been pur-
chased, which are at present ample
for the needs of the station. A small
field laboratory has been built, with
tables for u students, a nice camping
place, on which the laboratory has been
located has been leased, and various
pieces of apparatus purchased for the
general work of the station. There is
no more beautiful place in the state
for the location of the station than the
one chosen.
Professor Elrod has just prepared
several large cards full of pictures
taken near the station for advertising
purposes, and they certainly show some
hoo, fI11 A 10 he
cry the station is in a very advantage
Gus situation for study. The field lab
oratory is on the bank of the Swan
river, few rods from the lake, with
perfect land-locked barbor for boats.
Near the station are several ponds of
various sizes and depths for study, af-
fording an abundance Of minute life,
and giving exceptional facilities for
studying life in varied environment.
The lake itself is a rich place for study.
At the mouth of the Swan river is one
of the finest fishing grounds in the
| state. A few miles away the Flathead
pour its muddy waters into the lake
Mountains. forests, lakes, rivers farms,
! swamps and rocks, what more could
| one region afford?
The work of the station next year
| will open about the list of August and
| continue one month. Previous tD the
| opening of the station collections will
! be made for several weeks in the Mis-
| sion mountains and along the lower
portion of the lake. Opportunity will
| be given if any wish to Join this col
| lecting expedition for them to do so
| Teachers and students of the state who
wish to combine an outing with good
| hard work can have a splendid dppor-
| tunity. Rest we do not frequently
need. A change is as good as a rest
If one has been shut up in the schoo
room all the year it is worth while tt
| get out entirely for few weeks, and
while out do something that will be-
of lasting benefit. The Mission noun,
tains are famous for their scenery
! The Alps themselves afford nothing
finer than may be found in these noun.
tains. A climb up a high peak i:
worth all it costs to one who has never
| been there.
| At the station also work may bt
| combined with pleasure. There is OPP
| portunity to secure good board
! farm houses. If desired one ca ten
and have a regular outing. There /!
| fine fishing, fine boating, fine bathing
| with a sandy beach, in the lake, soot
| hunting in the immediate vicinity, {
| wonderful glaciated region of mo lntaii
| that has never been studied. profu
| sion of flowers and insects IN ey cry
| side, magnificent scenery, fine OR or
| tunities for the artist and phdtagra
| pher. pure mountain air, and I'll Il a
| goes to make a stay delightful anC
! profitable A neat prospe ctus is being
| issued. with illustrations, which car
! be had for the asking, by ADDRESSING
| the director. Professor NJ. T. IIlrod
! Those who are planning something fel
| the summer should consider this op
! portunity to combine business witt
| pleasure, and take advantage of Pn op
, portunity to pursue study in the field
during a time when everything il
| abundant and beautiful.
At this Christmas tide a retlospec
of the past year for the university Of
| Montana shows a great change aut
improvement. Last Christmas he uri
versity was still in the cramped guar.
ters afforded by the city high Bchccl
While no complaint could be offered il
was well understood that the work
could in many respects be done only
at great disadvantage. The shop worl
of the mechanical engineers was done
in the basement, with very inadequate
| facilities for the work The work il
| htDln Tt-Sf |,