Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-04-19
NORMAL BOARD UNDER FIRE
ObieOtiSn Mads To Putting in Of Com
msruiAl Course at Kssrney sebSOL
iEBRItN GIVES REASON FOR ACTION
ytats Railway Commission Ruies
street Railways Cannot Carry
Policemen or Firemen Free or
Postmen at Reduced Rates.
fFrom a So correspondentl

LINCOLN, April 1s-(Speoial) THE fact
that the State Normal board has allowed
the Kearney Normal school authorities to
install a commercial department In which
Is taught bookkeeping, stenography and
typewriting, may lead TO at least an over
hauling Of the school board, a general shak-
ing up Of the institution and the abolition
Of this department. The law under which
the Kearney Normal school was established
reads as follows:
Purpose OF the School-The exclusive pur-
pose OF this school is the training and in
struction Of persons, both male and female,
in the arts OF teaching and managing
schools and In the principles and practice
OF the various branches OF learning taught
in our public schools.
This section in the statutes, according to
ono who has some authority around the
statehouse, prohibits making a commercial
college out OF a normal school, even though
a commercial department does increase the
enrolment considerably Bookkeeping is
taught in another department besides in the
commercial department, and there is some
sentiment in high quarters here that the
State Normal board has exceeded It's au-
thority in providing this commercial depart
ment The commercial department is in
charge OF c. A. Murch and an assistant.
Prof. Murch conducted the department as
a private venture or business college, and
when the normal school was started he
moved in as n part OF Il and. according to
a member OF the board. he is paid 81 200 a
year During the year II is said by the
same member. the attendance in this de-
partment reached about 300
Reason for the Action.
Superintendent McBrien. who is a MEM
her Of the normal board. said some OF the
high schools desired to install commercial
courses and some had already installed
such. and the commercial department of
the Kearney Normal school is for the pur-
pose of preparing teachers to take these
positions in the high schools. Mr.. Nc
Brien said he did not recall whether the
board authorized the teaching of type
writing or stenography in the school, but
he was sure II did bookkeeping as that is
taught in many high schools.
One who is in high authority at tho
state house is of the opinion the action
OF the board in permitting the teaching Of
a business course at the normal school,
when its object is TO prepare teachers to
teach in the public schools, is possible
grounds for Impeachment or at least an
excuse for removal from the board
Governor Sheldon has been too busy
lately to pay much attention to the COM
plants of few Of the people of Kearney
over his Veto but as soon he gets around
TO II he intends to look into the matter
thoroughly and he probably will make
some suggestions which will be to the in
terest of Kearney and that portion OF the
state from which students attend the
normal school. Governor Sheldon is a
firm believer in strict enforcement of the
law,
Permission to Reduce Rate.
The first application made. to the State
Railway commission for permission to
change rate In Nebraska was made this
afternoon by the Northwestern railroad.
This road desires very much to put In a
3-cent rate on sand from Fremont to York.
The reason OF this desire on the part OF
the Northwestern to reduce it's rate be-
tween these two points is the fact of the
rate OF the Burlington railroad between
Louisville and York. which Is very little
farther. The application was made by
Bob McGinniss, the general agent here,
and the permission was granted.
Hits Policemen, Firemen, CRrrteFs.
OF great Importance to the policemen and
fremen OF Omaha and TO other towns where
there are street railways was a statement
issued by the state Railway commission
that no free street railway tickets could
be issued to these men. In the same state
ment the commission said the contracts
made by street railway companies with the
government for carrying the mail men also
would have to be nullihed, as no one can
ride for a less price than that which the
general public is charged. The statement
was given out in answer TO a letter OF
Inquiry from the Lincoln Traction COM
pany. saying It had been the custom for