Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-08-25
Statement in Reply to Address Is.
sued by University Alum.
nj Association.
SAY FALSE CRY IS RAISED.
Declare University Mumni Are Calling
Tor Economy When Many Arc
Not Even Taxpayers.

Lake newspapers OF recent cate dp-
reared an address from the Alumni
association OF the University Of Utah,
through their president, John G. Mac
Kay IN which the writer claims to
present facts concerning the advise
ability Of consolidating the University
and Agricultural college Of Utah on
one site at salt Lake city.
II becomes my duty as president OF
the Alumni association Of the Agricul-
tura college Of Utah, in compliance
with request from the executive
committee OF the association 10 expose
some Of the fsllavies In the arguments
OF those enthusiastic members OF the
University Alumni who are clamoring
for "A Greater University II Is sur
prising 20 note that the University
Alumni association. many OF whom are
not even taxpayers. should be 50 eX-
tremely eager 10 secure an economical
use Of the states funds. Even after
il has been clearly shown that there
is no real foundation for the claim
that the merger viii result IN "a great
saving TO the state. these same people
bent on monopolizing the states funds
FOR education. to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Of their alma mater close their eyes
10 justice, refuse 70 recognize facts,
and simply cry. economy
II is not surprising that the Agricul-
tural College Alumni should feel deep
interest In the present controversy and
be ready to expose any misreprcsenta-
ton Of facts intended TO aid IN the as
sasslnation Of their foster mother. For
years the Agricultural college has been
striving 70 assume In the eyes of the
public distinct individuality, 20 es-
tablish ideals and traditions. and to
gatls~r within her halls young men and
women who are Loyalty devoted 10 her
and to all she stands for, because they
love her. She has succeeded. There
were those who sneered when Webster
said I'm defense OF Dartmouth. She
Is a little college, but there are some
II us who love her. There are many
who vii! sneer now at the thought Of
student love for the Agricultural col
lege. But IL exists IN the hearts of
thousands OF men and women through
out Utah, and to deprive them OF their
college home would be an educational
crime that no true college man would
ever dare TO sanction.
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
The arguments set forth in the ad-
dress referred 10 above are based upon
statements made IN the majority re-
port OF the commission appointed by
Gov Cutler 10 investigate the opera
tons Of the University and Agricul-
tura college and determine TO what
extent there is unnecessary duplica-
ion in the courses and equipment OF
7 he two institutions. The report should
furnish a reliable basis for the argu-
rnents OF any individual or association.
The people expected the commission
10 make an honest and conscientious
effort 10 secure reliable data and TO
make an unbiased report Of their ind
Ings
Contrary 10 these expectations, the
commission jugged with statistics TO
cover up facts and create false I'M
pressions, quoted only portions Of sew
eral letters received by them IN re-
Spouse 10 letter Of inquiry which the
secretary of the commission sent out
to leading educators, emitting such
portions as would tend 70 operate
against the movement for consolida-
ton; and IN various ways proved
themselves prejudiced. aud unfit TO
properly perform the duties imposed !
On them by their appointment
The minority members Of the CONE
mission have discredited the report !
referred to as an unjust inaccurate, I
and biased document. designed only |
10 promote the interests 81 those who |
favor combination.
COST PER CAPITA.
An example Of unfairness r. present.
% IN the way the majority Of the COM /
estimated the cost 10 the state |
PER capita OF students OF college grade |
81 the two schools The statement is !
being emphasized almost daily by GER
tain cons0lidationists through the coll |
lmns OF the newspapers that the Agri- |
cultural college spends annually on It's /
college grade students the enormous |
sum OF N.ll1l3 per capita, while stu
ients Of the same grade at the Uniyer-
,ity cost the state S2i4.6s each. The cs- /
innate was made by the commission IN I
his way: II is conceded by all that /
he average cost Of educating a stu
lont IN the district school IS $50 per an
num- Now the Agricultural college has 1
nrolled 1873 students above district
school age who had not completed |
.ighth grade work. but who wanted
'omo training IN agriculture. carpentry,
or domestic arts. Many
n them were men and women ranging /
rom 20 "a 20 years Of age. They were
. vistored for the technical work that
hey wanted, but In addition 10 this
hey were required 10 do some work IN
English or history. which
as perhaps IN some respects not be-
ond the work Of the eighth grade,
ince they were given these elementary
ubiects. the commission charged them
10 TO the state al only $50 The fact
hat los out Of the lS3 were doing TECH
ical work and spending most Of their
Inc In well equipped laboratories and
hops using expensive apparatus and
upplles was not taken into account.
hey were guilty OF studying arithmetic
nd arithmetic Is common school
lbiect, hence ,he cost OF their work
as estimated no higher than the ay-
rage cost Of year an the district
-hool Then Il Is estimated that high
.hool students. on an average, cost the
ate SIS each. The Agricultural college
fers two years Of preparatory or high
'hool work At the university three
ears above the eighth grade are re-
Iired for admission 10 the freshmen
ass. So without comparing the work
IN the preparatory schools |
the two Institutions. the majority OF |
70 commission proceeds to classify the
eshman az the Agricultural college as
udents OF high school grade, or 10
reich our preparatory work over three
sars. This classification reduced the
amber OF students Of college grade az
.e Agricultural college from IA 70 II.
he following outline Of study consi-
ties freshman work IN the mining en-
neering course al the university ac-
irdinr TO the catalog for 1861
General chemistry first half-year.
General chemistry and qualitative an
ysis, second half.
Higher algebra. first half
Analysts geometry. second half
Freehand and mechanical drawing.
English composition
Carpentry.
This the commission recognized as