The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-31
Calls Attention TO University Of
A|abama's Needs
DIPLOMAS ARE PRESENTED
Graduation Exercises at University
Drew One of the Largest Crowds
In the History of the
institution.
BY PAUL COOK.

bI TAOL 0O0Ns
Tuscaloosa, May 90.-(speciaD. the
annual meeting of the trustees of the
University of Alabama held in Garland
hall this morning. President Abercrom-
hie's report was one of the principal fea-
lures.
In his report DIR. Abercrombie said that
the matriculation at the university this
year was larger than ever before in the
history of the Institution, more than 800
students being registered In the academic
department. There were fifty-six co-eds
this year, four more than ever before
DR.. Abercrombie said that the summer
school was proving great success, and
was putting the university in touch with
the leading educational interests of Ala
bana. He also recommended that the law
passed by the Legislature requiring the
university to raise $500 to supplement an
appropriation of 5000 from the legisla-
ture be repealed. The trustees were asked
to have this law nullifed
Needs Library Building.
The university is greatly in need of a
library building. Steps should be taken
for its erection The president eongratu-
lated the trustees on the revival of ora
tory at the university, saying that a gold
medal in the gulf states intercollegiate
oratorical contest had been won this year
by Alabama's representative, C. e. Rice.
He also referred to the establishment OF
the university glee club. This excellent
organization has become an exceedingly
popular feature of the university, and
,ar,,,o
ment exercises.
A university store was established dur
ing the year. 1t has proven profitable
venture as $500 has been cleared for the
AthIetic association.
In regard to the universlty's financial
condition, President Abercrombie said
that the lack of funds was seriously re-
tarding the institutions growth. DIR. Alb
ercrombie said that If more money was
not Forthcoming, the limit of development
had been reached.
The university is sadly IN need of lee
ture rooms and laboratories. Both are
overcrowded, and the professors are over
worked Better gymnasium facilities are
needed, and the class sections are too
large Heating and lighting arrangements
students are crowded into only sixty-nine
rooms. It assert, and without fear of
successful contradiction, that no instltu-
tion of like grade is doing more with the
equipment at hand,o said DR.. Abercrom-
bic.
Income Should Be Doubled.
He next gave statistics relating to if
teen. colleges showing their comparative
usefulness, and said that II the state
wants to double the attendance at the
university it should double the universi-
tys income In twenty years no new
building has been erected. mo other
state institution has made so little prog
ress' said the president.
DIR. Abercrombie's report was, in the
main a protest against the idea that the
university has more than enough money.
He also said that the present poverty OF
the institution was due, in part, to lack
of interest on the part of alumni, but he
was glad to see that an awakening had
taken place.
He concluded with an expression OF
hope in the future of the university and
paid handsome tribute to Hill Ferguson
of Birmingham for his zeal among the
alumni.
The trustees adjourned for dinner and
upon reassembling they received delega-
ton from the geological museum COM
mittee, composed of Robert Jemison and
Thomas NJ. Owen, relative to the greater
university movement. The plan was
endorsed by the trustees, and Governor
Jeks ex-offcio president of the board,
appointed this committee of five to CO.
operate with the alumni in building up
the university.
DIR. j. W. Abercrombie, Hugh Morrow,
IT, b. Foster. 7. c. Mcclellan and T. H.
Glenn.
The faculty was reelected and only
one minor change was made. The presi-
dent was authorized to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of F. NJ. Lett,
assistant in chemistry and mathematics.
The terms of the following trustees hav-,
ing expired. they were unanimously re-
elected: e. II. Glenn. third congressional
district; II. B. Foster. sixth congressional
district; T. C. Mcclellan, eighth congress
sional district.
The report of the land commissioner
was read which showed that three new
land leases had been made which bring
the university an annual royalty of 5000
The leases were to the Lacy-Buek Iron
company S. W. Miller of Cordova, j. A.
Montgomery. Leo K. Steiner and Frank
Nelson of Birmingham
The following committee was appointed
to secure the repeal of the state law
raise $500 to supplement an appropria-
ton of s5OOO Dr. j. w. Abercrombie H.
B. Foster, VI. P. LIE Grand, J. II. John
ston. Daniel Pratt and Hubert T. Davis
Graduation Exercises In Morning.
The graduation exercises of the Uni
versity of Alabama, held in Clark hall
this morning. attracted an audience that
filled the auditorium to its utmost ca
pacity. Immediately preceding the gradu-
alton exercises proper. orations were de-
livered by three members of the senior
class in a contest for the trustees prize,
a gold medal. The speakers were oscar
leman McGraw. whose subject was
Popular Election of Senator's; Edward
Kirby Chambers, who spoke on "Our
Alma Mater and James Mallory Kidd.
who chose as his subject Our Imperial
Colonial Policy"
All three speakers acquitted themselves
Handsomely. but the prize was awarded
TO Mr.. Kidd of Harpersville. Shelby coun-
u, The judges were Rufus N. Rhodes
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