The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-29
STATE BOARDS CLASH
OVER NORMAL FUNDS
Board of Controls Proposed
Reduction in Estimates Like
~ to Precipitate Conflict

There were indications at the quar-
terly meeting of the state normal
board, held at the Commercial club
last night, of an impending conflict be-
tween the normal board anu the state
board Of control,
1t developed that the board of con-
troll had decided to recommend to the
Legislature reduction in the estimates
of the normal board for the current
expenses of all the normal schools. 1t
is said that the board of control will
favor reduction in the current ex-
pense funds of $4,000 for the Winona.
Mankato and st. Cloud schools, $4,000
for the Moorhead school and $l,0O0 Tor
the Duluth school.
President Alvah Eastman, of the
normal board, spent a part of yester-
day in conference with S. w. LeaVett,
of the board of control in futile ef-
fort to secure favorable action on the
normal boards estimates, but he met
with small encouragement
"The normal board will not stand Tor
the arbitrary action of the board OF
control" member of the board said
after last nights meeting. ''The estl-
mates were cut to the quick before be-
ing agreed upon by our board, and any
further reduction will be a positive IN
| jury to the schools"
There was comparatively little dlS-
cussion in the meeting of the normal
board over the imbroglio with the
board of control, for the meeting was
an open one, and there was an evident
desire to avoid an open conflict.
J. l. Washburn's Gift
A significant action, however, was
the passage of a resolution of thanks
to J. L. WaShburn, resident director
of the Duluth school, for the generous
gift of his own funds in beautifylng
the grounds and buildings at the Du-
luth school. The resolution was offer
ed by S. G.. Comstock, of Moorhead,
and expressed the boards appreciation
of Mr.. -Washburn's generosity. Mr.
Washburn, it was said. had given
nearly $4,000 from his own private
funds to the Duluth school during the
past summer.
Repeated rebuffs from the board of
control in the matter of appropriations
for the work had resulted in Mr.. Wash
burn defraying the cost from his own
private purse, rather than have the
work altogether abandoned.
Mr.. Washburn declined to discuss
| the work or the amount he had ex-
pended, but others present said that
the action of the board of control had
resulted in loss of school spirit and
civic pride in the Duluth school and
that Washburn had voluntarily con-
tributed the amount. rather than nave
the Duluth school suffer from lack OF
| proper attention. Fears were also ex-
pressed that the board of control will
not indorse the appropriation OF $780,
600 asked for dormitory at the Du-
luth school, and the Duluth delegation
in the legislature will require all its
energies to secure the passage of the
bill carrying the appropriation.
To Investigate Land Grant
A special committee, consisting of
| Ell Torrance, S. G. Comstock and j.
L. Washburn, was named by Presi-
dent Eastman to investigate the status
of land grant made by the legislature
| eighteen years ago. to the normal
schools at Moorhead, Mankato and st.
! Cloud No selections have ever been
made under the grant, and it is be-
| lieved that the revenues OF the schools
may be materially increased by prob
| ing the matter and putting the lands to
! the credit Of the fund.
| A letter was read at the meeting
| from A. E. Clark, resident director of
| the Mankato normal school, saying
that he would not accept reappoint-
ment to the board, of which he has
| been a member for twenty years.
Resolutions appreciative of Mr. Clark s
services, and expressing regret at his
prospective retirement, were adopted.
Miss Helen NJ Smith, of Worcester,
! N. Y, was elected to teach music in the
| st. Cloud school, vice Miss Maude H.
Chamberlain, resigned.
The board voted to name the new
ladies' dormitory at the Winona school
Morey hail. in honor of c. A. Morey,
who was for many years prominently
| identified with the school and the nor
NAL board.
An appropriation for a new roof and
a heating plant for the Mankato school
was indorsed, and an appropriation for
/ a water plant for the st. Cloud school,
to be operated Jointly with the plant
at the st. Cloud reformatory, was au-
thorized. The ST. Cloud school re-
ported a crowded condition, and an
1 additional teacher was authorized to be
| employed for the school.
GOVERNOR SIGNS