The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1907-01-15
Why Support Two Universities


Bryan, president of the Washington
priation of 100000 at the present ses-
sion of the state legislature. This
institution was founded as an agri-
cultural college and agricultural ex-
pertinent station and the immense
sums of money and the large land
grants were donated to it with that
impression generally prevailing. At
one time it gave promise of being one
of the foremost farmers colleges OF
the country, with a staff second to
no other in America. 1t is evident,
however, that President Bryan is not
in sympathy with the desire of the
founders and of the farmers through
out the state that it shall be contln-
ued along these lines, for in late
years the entire nature OF the 1nstl-
tuition has been changed. We were
greatly surprised when President Bry-
an two years ago had the name
changed from the Washington State
Agricultural College to Washington
State College, he giving as the reason
therefor that students of that instl-
tuition who were studying in other
1900
ing from an agricultural college.
The brilliant staff of investigators
relating to all branches of scientific
agriculture, which at one time was
the browning feature of the college,
is no longer to be found there, as
when their talents came to be recog-
nized other and more attractive posi-
lions were opened to them, where
they could carry on their special lines
of experimental work under more con-
genial and sympathetic surroundings.
The prestige which that institution
once had among the farmers of this
state has been dispelled. The agri-
cultural experiment station is accom-
plishing little or nothing. The Farmers
Institutes, by reason OF mlsmanage-
ment and general Indifference OF any
one around the college, are go-as-you-
please affairs the most practical work
done in these gatherings being by
men outside the station staff.
e. A. Bryan is responsible for this
condition of affairs. His ambition to
build up a great college causes him
to make everything else SubServient
to that end. He alone is responsible
for these startling changes. He shows
that he has not the interest of the
farmers at heart. The fact is, we
have no farmers college in this state
any more Even the name has been
taken away. The result is that this
sparsely settled state has on it's hands
two state universities.
In order to make as strong show
ing as possible it is charged that Pres
ident Bryan is conducting a special
school for the benefit Of the children
in the neighborhood of Pullman, and
thereby swelling considerably the to-
tai enrolment The figures of at
tendance are then used to support his
claims of large and rapidly increas-
ing attendance in order that he may
use same when making his demands
for additional appropriations.
The Ranch has always been a friend
of the Washington State Agricultural
College; in fact, has supported 1t
more warmly than any other paper in
the state. We cannot longer ignore
the alarming state of affairs, however,
by which the original purpose of the
college has been entirely ignored. We
believe that it should be again trans
formed into a strictly agricultural col
lege. Or. if that is not done, either
the State College at Pullman, or the
State University at Seattle should be
done away with. There is no good
reason why our people should be
taxed to support both.
Robbnu the States Till.