The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-08-17
BATTLE OF BOARDS.
Normal Board Regrets Concessions
Made to Board of Control,
THE LATTER BOARD STANDS FIRM
Normal School People Now Figuring &
on Methods for Regaining
Their Independence.

The state normal school board is in ses-
sion to-day at the state capitol. It's mem
bers are very much dissatisfied with the
way the state board of control has taken
hold of the normal schools. They feel
that the board was too easily won to sur
render financial control of the schools. Un-
der the ruling of the attorney general,
the board Of control act does not include
the normal schools at ALL but the board
voluntarily surrendered. Now the mem
bers are sorry. The board of control has
taken entire charge of building opera
tions. 1t has taken the insurance out of
the hands of resident members and, most
cruel blow Of all, has dispensed with their
services as purchasing agents, for which
each resident member received $500 a
year. The normal school board is deter
mined to recant. unless the board Of con
troll makes some concessions.
The board of control is standing it's
ground, and will not recede from any of
its acts. 1t is reported that one reason
for the nerve displayed by the board of
control is an opinion furnished by prom
inent attorney, which directly controverts
the attorney general He holds that the
law is not defective, but is valid in all
its parts and that the board of control
has jurisdiction of the financial affairs
CT the normal schools whether the nor
NAL school board says so or not. Under
his opinion the university would also be
included.
w. B. Mitchell of St. Cloud, chairman
of the committee, appointed to confer
with the board of control, presented
report this afternoon. The committee
understanding with the board of control,
but wholly without success. The board of
control had ignored the committee and
also the acts of the normal school board.
Contrary to the board of control law, it
had attempted to exercise supervision
over the president and employees of the
normal schools. 1t had even attempted to
prescribe courses of study and had cut
out the boards estimate for text books.
1T is time for US to do one of two
things" said Mr.. Mitchell, ''either go out
of business entirely or do our duty under
the laws. The attorney general tells me
that the resolution we adopted April 20
was of no force and that the law is still
invalid so far as we are concerned.
Professor Phelps of Duluth sprung a
sensation by reading the board of control
letter instructing him to buy fuel. 1T
is a private letter on public business and
l suppose l am likely to be electrocuted
for making it public" said Professor
Phelps, but 7 do not consider myself
bound by the Instructions"
The letter directs him to buy West Vir-
ginla screened lump from the North
western Fuel company at $3.S5 per ton
Professor Phelps declared that he could
buy the same coal in Duluth at 1925 per
ton. He actually secured that price from
the Pioneer Fuel company.
Director Nye of Moorhead said that he
could purchase cheaper in Moorhead than
the price quoted him by the board.
Spanish Vets Must Pay.
The state normal school board this
morning received reports from the various
institutions. A request for free tuition
for veterans Of the Spanish-America
war was refused on the ground that the
board has not the right to grant it with
out legislative sanction
Director Mitchell Of st. Cloud offered
a resolution abolishing the $50 special fee
for kindergarten students. 1t was referred
to committee.
George G. Green was appointed instruc-
tor in manual training and R. Warren
Howe physical director at the St. Cloud
school.