The San Francisco call., 1909-06-15
Controversy On Between Uni
versity of Washington and
State Agents
Educators Want Handsome
Structure for Gift, but Ii
Is Refused
Governor GiIIett Will Be Asked
to Decide Question When
He Arrives
By PAUL sINsHEIMER

DN AOL
n EATTLE. June 1.-THE beautiful
California building at the Seattle
exposition has become a bone of
contention between the California
commissioners and the regents of the
state university OF Washington. The
university authorities have made for
NAL request that the structure be do
mated TO the college when the big fair
comes 10 an end in October and the
California commissioners, after eonsid-
ering the matter at some length. have
declined 10 do so. The University of
California club OF Seattle has taken
hand in the matter and has intervened
n behalf OF the Washington institution
Much Correspondence
There has been extended correspond
ence on the subject between the curator
Of Washington university and Commis-
sioner J. A FfIcher OF California. It is
the hope OF the university authorities
that the matter will be reopened. The
exposition Is located on the grounds Of
the Washington university Three of
the fair buildings having been con-
structed in uniform classic design Of
dove colored brick and are to become
the property Of the college. Many Of
the states have offered TO donate their
buildings TO the educational institution.
but none Of them is 60. well adapted to
the needs Of the university as the Cali
fornia building. 1t is this editce that
President Thomas F. Kane OF the Uni
versity Of Washington desires above all
the temporary structures.
The California building is Of spacious
proportions and is wanted BY the uni
Tersity for a gymnasium. It has
large main auditorium. an ample gal
lery. and two wings that could with
little difficulty be converted into dress
ing rooms and showers The college is
v ithout a good gymnasium and stu
dents and faculty have united in the
reQdest that California donate the
structure.
Gillett May Take Part
The facts were laid before Commits
sioners Filcher and Virgins and after
extended correspondence they stated the
request would be denied. Filcher said
yesterday that Governor GiIlett upheld
him in his decision. The governor viii
be here Wednesday and the issue may
be passed Up TO him then for decision.
There is no law" said FiIeher yes
terdsy. by which the state can give
away its property. Any way, 1 have
taken the stand that this is merely
temporary building and would not con-
stitute lasting monument 70 the gen
erosity OF California II we give any
thing it should be something that win
endure"
The Washington university authori-
ties state that with the expenditure Of
a little more money the exterior of the
building could be concreted and made
10 last a century They argue that as
il stands il is worth its full value to
them. but II torn down It would net the
state next 20 nothing. They point out
that when California sold its building
at the Portland fair it received for it
only $500.
Fficher replies TO this by saying that
II the university people want Il so
badly they can buy it and that the
s1ste viii favor them in the sale.
q 1.-The structure is of artistic Spanish
design and cost $4,000. It is strongly
constructed and the most attractive
state building on the grounds Filcher
feels that the state should derive some
revenue from the big expenditures made.
Harry Carroll. president OF the Univer-
sity Of California club and controller Of
the city Of Seattle. is an ardent support
er OF the plan OF the Washington col
lege. He believes that the building
should be donated, and viii work TO
that end Carroll has obtained all the
correspondence on the subject and will
enlist the aid OF the Californians in
Seattle in favor OF making the struc-
ture memento Of California gener-
osity.
California Exhibit Esthetic
SEATTLE. June I4-California has
struck a new note in the Alaska-Yu-
kon-Pacihc exposition. It is esthetic
rather than Industrial The state has
shown that is can create wonders with
the brush as well as with the plou
and pick. This was the impression
made upon the California delegation
after the first visit to the fair grounds.
The san Franciscans were almost
unanimous in their approval
The special train carrying the 100
representatives OF the commercial life
OF lifornia reached Seattle at
O'Clock this afternoon. Since then they
have been busily occupied in viewing
the fair and exchanging courtesies