Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-21
THE BOARDS VIEW
Condition of State Institutions as
It Sees Them.
TEXT OF THE BIENNIAL REPORT
All Three of state Educational Institu-
tons Are Sharply criticised-Advo-
Gates Establishment of a Colony for
Epileptics.

Des Moines, Nov. 16.-The three ed
ucational institutions of the state are
criticised severely in the biennial re.
port of the state board of control
which was filed with the governor yes
terday. Ames college is hit hardest.
it being alleged that the faculty Of
that institution used about 5000 out of
the state treasury 2 years ago in pay
ing the expenseSlof its members while
attending the session of the Twenty
eighth general assembly. OF this
sum $50, it is alleged, was paid as the
hotel bill of one person.
Other Bills.
Bills for similar purposes but for a
small aggregate amount are said to
have been allowed by the regents OF
the state university. The board con-
dennis the practice in sweeping terms
declaring that the expenses SO incur
red were for lobbying purposes to Sc
cure legislation, and were not such as
are contemplated by the law which
provides that officers of institutions
may recover for expenses incurred
while giving information or assistance
asked by legislative authority.
All CRITICISED.
All three educational institutions
are criticised for appropriating money
out of public funds each year to de.
fray the expense of giving banquets
or similar entertainments. The board
states that this practice has existed
for years without legislative disap-
proval, but that it is doubtful If the
law contemplatess any such use of
state funds. If desirable to have it
continued the board ventures the as
sertion that its legality should be plac-
ed beyonu question.
Architects.
Attention is called to the fact that
the management of Ames college, af-
ter securing plans and specifications
from the state architect for new en-
gineering hall to cost $4,000, and Sc
curing that amount from the legisla-
ture, had the state architect revise
the plans for this building and after
wards let the contract for $153, 900, in
addition making oIner changes which
brought the sum UP to more than
100000.
In this connection the attention of
the legislature is called to the fact
that the amounts paid by the college
for architects for the year exceeded
the total amount paid to the state
architect for his annual salary for
making plans and specifications and
supervision of the same at the thir
teen state institutions under the con
troll of the board Later in the report
It is asked that the state architect be
believed of making plans and specifi
mott fr,, {la 49, to cd, y,nl socf
buttons in Ine future.
Purchase High Priced Articles.
Some fault is found in the lack oil
4 definiteness in prescribing the duties
of the building and executive commit
tees at the State university, and al
Ames the management is criticised
for purchasing too high priced articles
At the State Normal school it is sale
that the President has received some
thing over $4,000 from the contin
gent fund of which no book accounts
whatever were kept, a mere stub be
ing filled out and receipt torn off ant
given the student. 1t is stated tina
contracts entered into by the board il
writing protected the state, but it i!
recommended that in all cases proper
records be kept The system of book
keeping at the state institution is sait
to be old and cumbersome and more
modern system is recommended b.
the board.
Commended Otherwise.
With these exceptions the educa
tional institutions are commended TO
their business like management, ant
the board asserts that it must be re
membered that the flaws it points on
constitute but small part of the fl
nancial transactions of the institution
in question. It's kycriticisms, though
couched in mild language, are never
theless pointed. and will doubles
lead to legislation this winter whicl
will either make the present law
more specific or create new ones whicl
will bring about more strict handlin
of the funds of the three educationa
institutions.
Report Is Exhaustive.
The report of the board not only re
garding the three institutions .unde
its supervisory control, but the thil
teen under its direct management,
an exhaustive document covering eN
cry detail of institution life, the amour
of property owned by the state; tn
cost of maintaining the institutions i
the past needed future appropriation
and important legislation which shout
be enacted. 1t will go before the les
islature this winter.
Board Asks for $s4s, 1880.
The board asks for appropriation
amounting to $S4S,127.50 of the con
ing general assembly for new built
ings and contingent and repair fund
at the thirteen state institutions.
is suggested that the board be give
power to use unexpended balances {
past appropriations in this direction
and if this is SO ordered, it will brin
the total amount to be appropriate
out and down to SS17,127.50, or 500
847.43 less than the board asked fl
in appropriations two years ago.rT
amounts asked for the individual il
situations are as follows:
Soldiers home i. 1885,. $ 75,100.(
Soldiers orphans home -. 40,750.l
College for the blind $3.50. 9,700.t
School for the deaf ...i.... 13,100.(
Institute for Predetermined