The Florida star., 1905-06-09

fhe very eeseFe criticism of the special
Ienm0issse sppointed % sisis the Univers-
lity of LAks City and report On The coa-
dision Of things there, has called forth q
lskroug 6eSen=s by the Times Unsos, the
IOcsls Banner and other papers throsgh-
| Ioas the sssxs.
Having made such serious accasations,
ths conmisiee eoaId no1 reasonably ex-
| psct asyshing else than spirited reply
frcm tbs college .nthorities. Dr. ssedd,
president Of she university, has taken up
the cudeels and the Oeala Banner gives
his aide Of ths case as follows:
''rbe reply Of DIR. Andres sledd, pres.-
dent Of the University Of Florida, TO the
report on the condition OF she University
lot Florida, made ly the legislative visit
ing Commits, is. we think, complete and
|coaclusive
"The visiting committee said that so
per cent Of the university patronage is
purely local, the truth is that it Is only
30 per cent
The report states that the chapel hall
is 10 frightfnlly dilspidated condition
and thas the walls are tnmbling down.
Dr. Sledd shows that the plaster had fall
en- OF OF one square foot in every txo
thousand square feet or about one fourth
Of . square foot 90 an ordinary room.
The report says that the two dorma-
tories are entirely un~holesome. Dr.
Sledd shows that the health Of she stu
dents. not only now. bnt in all past times,
has been most excellent.
''Dr. Sledd also shows that the average
number Of instructors to the number of
students compares fAvorably with all the
prominent universities in the country,
and gives a detailed list Of same to prove
hls statement
The report says that 81 800 was appro-
priated by the legislature Of 1903 for the
model farm DIR. Sledd sent telegram
20 State Comptroller Groom asking if this
part of the report were true according to
she records shown at Tallahassee. The
comptroller wired back No
''The report further says that the trus-
tees, who have control OF the expendi-
tures Of the United States government
funds for supporting the experiment sta
tion, were accustomed On use these funds
for purposes contrary TO the national law
As result Of the practice the agricultural
interests OF the state have suffered and
the state will be deprived of a part of the
$4,000 Appropriated to which it will be
entitled for the next fiscal year, the
United States department of agriculture
recently ruled to that effect.
''Dr. sledd teIegraphed to DIR. A. C.
True. Washington, d. c., who has the
work in charge, as follows:
Asserted here that Florida will lose
part of Hatch fund next year. Is this
true? Please wire reply
THE following is DIR. True's reply:
Washington, ID. c., May -, 1905.
Director Andrew Sledd, Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station, Lake City, Fla Dear
Sir: On my return 10 Washington this
morning your telegram of May 80 has
been brought TO my attention On the
basis Of DIR. Aliens examination Of the
account Of the Hatch fund for the current
fiscal year, no disallowance is contem-
plated and no public criticism Of the man
Agement Of the station has been made. by |
anyone connected with this office.
VERY truly yours,
"a. c. TRUE. Director
ESQ, from start TO finish DIR. SIedd has
annihilatec every adverse contention |
made in the visiting committees report
and puf every criticism 70 flight
The committee, in a word. has been |
routed, and il Is shown that |
its statements have been unfair, mac
cursie and made fIom motives that
should not actuase men in high PLACES"
Now that the Backman bill hAs passed. |
and IN view Of the probability tha, ,he
Lake City iastituiilH will be put on a |
more suistsntial financial l,asi-. any
further controversy should he dr,pp-i
and every effort made to bring the T-ni-
versity Of Florida to the front A. one Of |
the h~s; educational institution. of the
smith