The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-07
LEGISLATURE MAY
INVESTIGATE v.P.L.
- -----
Report of Committee of Welfare
Revives Gravatt Resolu-
ton.
AND 1T MAY BE PRESSED
A Leader in the Senate Still Con-
tends, However, That Board
Should Make Inquiry.

Much that was new in the way of
allegations against President Barrin-
ger% of the Virginia Polytechnic In
stitute, was embodied in the report
which the welfare committee of the
alumni made to the Alumni Associa-
ton, and legislative investigation
seems more probable now than at any
time since the charges were first
made.
Last week Senator Gravatt, of
Louisa, offered a resolution calling for
an investigation by a committee from
the General Assembly. At the meet
ing of the Committee on Public In
situations and Education two days
| later the resolution was passed by
without any consideration.
Legislature May Investigate.
In view of the welfare committees
report, in which it is asserted that
1 DR.. Barringer has no control of the
students" that the president has
made important changes In the curri-
culum without consulting the profess
sors, said conditions at the institute
were wholesome and harmonious
when the charges were flying thick
and fast, and failed to follow legis-
lation that might affect the institu-
! ton" It Is the opinion Of members
of the Senate that a legislative COM
mittee of investigation may be APP
! pointed. 1t Is understood that DIR.
Gravatt will urge that his resolution
! be favorably reported by the Commit
/ tee on Public Institutions and Edu-
/ cation and adopted by the Senate. He
/ has several supporters on the COM
mittee.
| Opponents of the resolution insist
! that the investigation should be made
1 by the board of trustees of the Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute and not the
/ Legislature.
What Leader Thinks.
'"fhe board should investigate and
report as to whether its members be-
lieve DIR. Barringer is fit or unit to
govern the institute" said floor
leader in the Senate Monday The
Legislature has Investigated the State
institutions on several occasions. We
found ths.tthe- charges were petty
and womanish. Is costs money TO
! make these Investigations, and unless
/ the heard makes specific charges of
unfitness on the part of the president
/ or reports conditions which II cannot
| remedy or recommend a remedy, / do
not see the use of ordering a legis-
'lative inquiry.
Why II Was Delayed.
1T Is true that the board has post
poned its investigation until March
! This was not done to withhold any
thing from the 1910 Legislature but
I to afford DR.. Barringer time TO make
his reply to the charges against him
This is only fair. If his reply is not
satisfactory tt will then be time
enough for the Legislature to step In
and take Il hand. DIR. Barringer's an
tagonists have had their say 1t Is
I nothing but just that he have his
! before the Legislature empowered a
| committee to investigate charges upon
/ and unsets the institution; II there
is any real trouble, dissatisfaction or
urfftness ut the institute / want to
know 1t as soon as anyo/e else, but !
( believe in settling the matter by the
board If possible, or at least give the
General Assembly something fragrant
large and important to take up for
inquiry