Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-10-04
WILL TRAVEL IN EUROPE
Most of the Time Will Be Spent in
Cruising About the Mediterranean
DIR. Birge to Be Acting President
in His Observation-Disclosures by
Regents.

Creek, Mich, where he was taking |
treatment, about two weeks ago, and |
yesterday conference was held be-
tween HIN and the members OF the
board of regents, at which it was de-
cided he should take a longer rest. In
the board decided to issue a
statement OF the facts in the situation,
and directed ex-senator w. F. Villas to
prepare the statement, which is as
follows:
He will spend his vacation cruising
in the Mediterranean. President
Adams will not leave Madison until al
ter Oct. 20 as he desires to be present
at the dedication of the new library
building here Oct. 10. He will be ac-
companied by Mrs. Adams.
The condition of President Adams
and the probability of his continuing
at the head Of the university have been
topics OF SO frequent mention and con,
VersatiOn and are of so much interest
to the people Of the state it is desirable
the exact facts should be known by the
public. When DR.. Adams left last
spring for the Hot Springs of Virginia
there was grave apprehensions by his
physicians of organic disease, which
his symptoms, though not absolutely
indicating, alarmingly suggested. At
ter but a short stay at the Hot Spring
he went to the sanitarium at Battle
Greek, Mich, where he remained until
his recent return to Madison The
regents OF the university have recently
had full reports by his physicians and
also had before them one Of those who
has regularly attended him. They as
sert positively as the result OF salts
factory examinations that no organic
and incurabIe disease exists, but, on
the contrary, that all the symptoms
which were thought to point to it have
passed away and were surely referable
to other conditions, that his only
malady is functional and durable, and
that great Improvement has taken
place during the summer They con-
fidently predict complete recovery
and promise many years Of vigor and
! usefulness in his present position. if
President Adams can be permitted to
continue in the course which has af-
forded so much progress, but they
| insist that freedom from care and a
warm, equable climate are of high i'm
portance if not essential to the good
result
THE regents have therefore decided
I that it is not wise for the president to
undertake to continue the duties of his
office to which he has recently re-
| turned, because of the great risk of in
terruption and injury from Iabors and
cares and the effects Of the approach
ing cold season, and have determined
that he shall take a new leave OF
| absence at half pay, and go to the
Mediterranean for a few months resi-
dence land it IS believed that within q
short time the welcome assurance will
come that ne will be able TO resume his
duties with the just expectation of
=
sirable an end will be thought worth
the waiting by all friends Of the uni
Versity. Should this hope be IN
happily disappointed such steps may
then be taken as shall seem best in the
circumstances.
Meanwhile Vice President Parkinson
having declared his desire to assume
no additional duties of the administra-
ton, the regents have appointed Ed
ward A. Birge, dean of the college Of
letters and science, to be acting presi-
dent with all the power of president,
at an allowance at the rate Of $1,000
year during such time as he shall so
1T is fortunate that DR.. Birge,
while accepting the added labor, feels
himself able also to continue his Gus
tomary service in his department so
that no additional Institutional force
will be necessary in it, Financially
this arrangement will somewhat dimin-
ish the expenditure provided for in the
university budget for the current year.
and it is confidently believed also that
with contribution of extra efforts
proffered by the faculty and instruct
ional force in the emergency, the high
efficiency of the university will be
fully maintained. The recent enlarge
ment of its scope and facilities already
shows very gratifying returns.
THE new school of commerce be- |
gins with large attendance and |
bright promise; the college of mechan-
les and engineering opens in the splen-
did new building afforded by the pro- |
violence Of the last legislature with a |
largely increased attendance Of which |
much comes from other institutions |
attracted by the superior advantages
now proffered here for technical edu-
cation. The general student body will
exceed that OF last year.
which was the highest in the univer-
sitys history The new historical Ii
orary building Of the state built on the
over campus affords unexceIIed oppor-
.unities for the prosecution of study in
history, economics and kindred lines,
md this great storehouse Of knowledge
becomes a most valuable auxiliary to
he states great institution of learn
ng."