The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-28
ARE STILL At ODDS
PRESIDENT ANKENY, OF NORMAL
BOARD, ISSUES A STATE
MENT
MUST EITHER RULE OR RUIN
That Is the Policy of the Board of
Control From Normal Stand
point-NO Concessions
Are offered.


Following the example of the board Of
control President A. T. Ankeny, of the
normal board has given out a statement
setting forth the latter's side of the con-
troversy between the two bodies, but as
yet the question of jurisdiction over the
normal schools appears to be no nearer
a legal settlement than at any previous
time since the opinion of the attorney
general was secured to the effect that the
scope of the board of control bill did not
include the educational institutions.
The statement of President Ankenye
which was given out yesterday, is di-
rect reply to the communication of the
board of control bearing date of the
previous day, and made public in the
0 b e of yesterday morning.
By way of Introductory a: gument Mr..
Ankeny advances the statement that as
far as his board Is concerned the board
of control is merely an auditing commit
tee. Then continuing he discusses the re-
lations of the two boards and their past
transactions as follows:
when Mr.. Morey was appointed
member of the board of control our mem
bers haG SO much confidence in both his
ability and his fairness that they soon
after adopted resolution agreeing to ac-
cept the provisions of the new law. They
knew as well then as they do now that,
title thereto failed to express the subject.
They believed that under fair inter-
probation none Of their powers would
be attempted to be taken away.
Then came Mr.. Moreys unfortunate
accident, and for nearly two months the
business was wholly in the hands of the
other two members. They were engaged
in getting ready for their fall work, to
begin Aug. l, and it is no wonder they
were not able fully to grasp the situa-
ton The normal board could get prac-
ticaily nothing. Out of about $780,
900 appropriated for improvements on
the buildings at Winona. Manka-
to. st. Cloud and Meorhead, such
restrictions and delays were imposed that
not more than $500 of the sum mas been
expended. and that at Moorhead
1t was only when the two members
sought wholly to ignore our board and
put into the places of the resident d.
IectorS the presidents of the schools that
any serious difficulty occurred Taege
came to me protests from all over the
state
81 called up Mr.. Lee by telephone and
warned him of the danger and that our
board would never stand such work:
that the presidents were our employees
and held their offices only at the pleas
ure Of our board; that it would create
confusion, and, worst of all would de-
grade our board from the position given
it by law.
He answered, practically agreeing
with me, and said he would confer with
made satisfactory. He never asked me
10 call or confer further. l never heard
a word from any member of that board
hereafter. On the contrary, the evidence
came TO me from many undoubted
sources that our wishes for co-operat ton
would not be listened to-
AT our board meeting a few DAYS
after. letter to Director Mitchell was
read and reiterated their demand
Upon such an arrogant assumption
thefe has never been any difference of
opinion among our members. The only
question considered was whether further
EFFORTS at cooperation should be made
The trick of the state auditor to re-
fuse to pass our warrants is simply an
attempt to drive us into quo warranto
proceedings Thus thew hope to hiring
INTO the controversy the university.
Too cowardly to attack that body, it
seeks by indirection to force us to fight
their battle.
'"ro this l, for }Ne, will not accede.
''The claim that the slate auditor is lot
subject to writ of mandamus, in a case
where he refuses to pay money justly
due to claimant, under our board, IS
too absurd to be recognized. 1t has been
done, and can be done again if neces-
Sary.
Il am informed by Mr.. Olsen this morn
ing that the Duluth vouchers for build
ing, and with which the board of control
had nothing to do, were in the interests
of the workmen on the build
ing. They, were laid by him be-
fore the board of control. with
request that the present controversy be
waived so that these men could be paid,
and Mr.. Leavitt refused to give
them any consideration unless the vouch-
crs were placed in his hands, unhamper-
ed by conditions.
mo matter who may be injured that
board must rule or ruin
1T is claimed that the resident direct
ors fear they will lose a salary Of $500.
81 doubt if that matter ever for a mo-
ment disturbed the mind of any of these
high-minded gentlemen who have honor
ably performed their duties under the
law. If that item be in dispute there is
an easy way of adjusting it, and that is
by a reference to the attorney general.
But the board of control does not care
much for light of that character 1t
knows enough