The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-16
GRAFT EXPOSED
BY The FACULTY
DRASTIC ACTION TAKEN ON THE
GOPHER SHORTAGE.
Managing Editor to Be Expelled and
His Conduct Reported to County At
tcrney for Action Gopher Managers
Took ''Rake-off'' from Business
Houses, Which Are Also Criticised.

The faculty of the state university
went on record Yesterday in the matter
of graft" by students of the institu-
ton. The action taken was drastic
and far reaching and, in addition to
covering the matter in hand, placed the
stamp of disapproval on certain general
college customs. 1t is also likely that
the action BY the board will tend, to
discourage petty get-rieh- quick
ayers of student enterprises.
The faculty, by it's action, recon-
mends to the board of regents that Ed,
ward G. O'Brien, managing editor of
the 1905 Gopher, and Charles Salns,
bury, business manager, be prohibited
from ever again entering the university
or from receiving any degree. More
college at the present time, is expelled
from the university within two weeks
of his graduation. Robert Reed, the
assistant business manager, IS gwen
severe reprimand, but no drastic action
is recommended on the ground that ne
recommended that the matter be laid
before the grand jury.
Following the investigation by the
class, the faculty committee made an
exhaustive and thoro examination OF
the affairs of the 1905 Gopher board.
Two Men Blinded the Rest.
The investigations of this faculty
committee revealed a condition of af-
fairs which has never before been
found in an American college. In its
report the committee states absolutely
that the managers were deliberate IN
their irregular deals. The other mem
bers of the board were purposely kept
in ignorance of the, business Of the
board, the understanding being that the
two should divide whatever, profit
might accrue from the publication.
"Rake-offs,' it is charged, were
arranged with downtown merch.
ants and business men. The contract
with the printer. was designedly signed
avoiding legal responsibility.
In bill Of particulars the faculty
committee sums up the irregularities
, found in the boards affairs. The firm
which held the contract for the
printing and binding, it is alleged, re
) fused to allow other members of the
, board to see the contract. A graft OF
1924 had been provided for on this
, contract alone by O'Brien and Sains;
the managers $45 each for it's con
tract. From IS cents to 80 cents a
l.. Edozen was to be paid as commission
on class photographs. The reports
of Gophers stolen from the, office
and burned in the fire were BRANDED
as fakes. The Van Baalen deal was
found to be "squared.' Fred Payne
the business manager, was deliberately
might be put in his place. Between
$3.50 and $1,000 were thus appropriated
: by 'Brien and Salisbury, in the opin
ion Of the committee.
. O'Brien made full confession Of
& these transactions to the faculty com
mittee. but before the faculty defended
them, claiming that they were legiti
mate deals for the compensation OF th'
- men doing the work.
The recommendations which were
adopted were as follows:
/ Committee Recommendations.
First. That E. c. O'Brien be expelled
10 from the university and that this facult!
y recommend to the regents that under NJ
e circumstances shall E. C. O'Brien or G. E
:, Salisbury ever be readmitted to any col
a. lege in the university or receive any de
m gree.
10 Second. That the attention Of the count:
attorney should be called to the cases o
~ O'Brien and Salisbury, with view t
If having the matter laid before the gram
y jury, if it be deemed advisable.
lie Third. That Robert Reed should be cen
lie sured by the president and required t
r. pay into the class treasury the sum o
n, s15 for a trade advertisement. The com
le mit+ce recognized that, altho reprehen
t. sible under the circumstances, Reeds &C
II ton was not done with corrupt intent.
IT. Fourth. That the faculty should pass
~ vote of censure uopn the members of tn
Ill 1905 Gopher board for the ineXcusabl
"a slack manner in which they permitted tn
lg affairs Of their organization to be con
:h Quoted, and especially for their lack Q
III a proper feeling of personal and collec
tive responsibility, as shown upon tn
n occasion when the Byron & Willard con
f. tract irregularly signed by minor 70
E. the avowed purpose of evading responsi
e bility, was presented to the board
Fifth. That the usual rule Of the facult
requiring students and student organiza
tons to pay their just debts must be ap
piled in all cases; that, nevertheless
owing to the irregular methods employee
by Byron & Willard and the Bureau G
le Engraving, to secure the business of tn
n Gopher, the faculty should not feel Gale
81 upon to assist these firms in the colec
l. ton of their bills on account Of the 100
It Gopher 1t was suggested by the com
in mittee that the engravers have the strong
lie er claims. H.. IL
(Note-Byron & Willard and othe
IS firms involved in this case deny tina
L their dealings with the Gopher manas
ot ers were other than regular. Mr.. Wi
lie lard said today that his firm had nc
e. refused to permit an inspection of tn
I contract by anyone in authority, an
1T that he was disposed to make tn
faculty prove it's insinuations or retrat
IF the charge.)
d. Business Men Criticised.
| Sixth. That the faculty condemns tt
" practice Of certain business firms who giy
Id secret rebates and other irregular induce
Id ments to students in charge Of universit
enterprises and entrusted with organize
It ton funds; and that it should be mao
| plain that the faculty will not use its a,
IN thority to collect the accounts of firm
lie which engage in such reprehensible prat
ny tees.
m Seventh. That the faculty should expires
es ly recognize the fact that only two studen
% have been corruptly implicated in this III
at fortunate affair, and that the vigor wi,
u.s. which the class pushed its investigate
and the unanimity with which it mett
lie out punishment to the culprits testif
to the essential moral soundness, not on
of the class, but of the student body as
ue whole.
Eighth. That the faculty call the !attel
OF ton of the auditing board about to
VI formed and of the whole student body,
xe the fact that such evils as mark this d
W plorable affair grow out of two practice
=. The absence of proper system Of accoun
- ing and auditing, and the practice of allo,