The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-27
DEFICIT AT DULUTH
Prest. Ankeny Thinks the Normal
School Bills Will Be Approved.
EXTRA EXPENSE UNAVOIDABLE
1t Was Incurred Largely us q
Result of the
Fire.

A. 7. Ankeny, president of the state
normal board, says the expenses in
Cured by that body in excess of the ap-
preparation were practically unavoidable
|! 1t is alleged that the board members are
liable to removal under strict inter-
probation OF the law requiring boards to
keep within appropriations. Mr.. Ankeny
! admits that the unauthorized expendi-
lures will foot up to about $7,4O0. The
governor is to be given a detailed state
| ment Of the boards finances, and Mr..
| Ankeny believes the executive will recon-
! mend to the next legislature that the de-
! felt be met. *.
Mr.. Ankeny thus explains the situation:
| Since the examination of the Duluth build
| ing accounts made by Secretary Olsen and
myself in conference, with the three mem
| bers Of the board of control on Tuesday
| last, certain publications have been made
rejecting on the good faith of the state
normal board or some of its members An
explanation would now seem to be proper
| and 1 make it SO far as I am able on gen
| eral knowledge and without having the
records at hand. - 49,. ..-...
! At this conference it appeared for the first
time that the bills still unpaid amounted
| to $13,632.1 II. The state auditors records
! showed that the cash balance still on hand
| was $G,306.52. If all the bills. were to be
! paid, there would seem to be a deficiency OF
! $7,425.65. The unpaid bills are: For heating
American Heating company, $3.50; Northern
Electric company, $3.50; Northern Hardware
company, SOP; w. +. Phelps, s175; D. r
Black, plumbing, S2,2sS.s3; Palmer, Hall &
Hunt, balance architect fees, s2,33234; John
| son Electric company, 1926 and Water Arch
Furnace company, $1,000.
| This state of things was complete sur
prise to all of us. 1t had always been be-
| lieved by our board that we were within the
sums appropriated. Director Phelps had full
charge of the matter and his reports ant
| those CT the architects were made, to oul
board from time to time. Since about July
last our bills had not been paid, and it i:
| only lately that the board of control tool
action and made some payments There i
still about $4,000 appropriated, but that i
for specific purposes. and no part of it cal
now be used on the above deficiency.
Part of this deficiency must be attributes
to the fire. While the original contractor
put the building back into place for tn
amount OF the insurance, $4,000, there wer
still some extraordinary expenses attending
They were fees for arbitration, adjustment
new insurance, fuel during the time an
engineers services, also added architects
fees of about 81 COO. During all the time
too the fund had to bear its share of tn
necessary expenses of the board. From sucl
items alone fully half the deficiency may fair
ly be accounted for.
It is proper to say that in the pruning pro
cess last winter the estimates Of our boar
were cut down several thousand dollars. Ye
.all the important contracts had then bee
entered into I think may safely say tina
the Duluth building is one Of the best an
cheapest buildings, if not the best and cheap
est ever erected by the state. The tota
cost at about s1ON, 900 for the ooilaing prope
is very low. The architects. have given to
unusual care. Everything done has bee
honestly done At the proper time de
I tailed statement will be laid before the gov
ernor and have no doubt that he vii IN
i hesitatingly recommend to the legislature tha
the deficiency be promptly met