Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-08-20
VAN LEW MUST
QUIT PRESIDENCY
OF CHICO NORMAL
Trustees of Institution Decide the
Educator Shall Resign or
Be Removed
GOVERNOR PRESSES CHARGES
Member of Board Friendly to the
Doctor Expected to De-
liver UItimatum
GOVERNOR PRESSES CHARGES
Associated Pressl

SACRAMENTO, Aug. 19.-If DR.. =.
c. Van Lew, president Of the Chico
state normal school, does not resign,
he will be removed and a new head
appointed to the institution probably
when it meets next Friday. This was
decided at a meeting of the normal
school board of trustees In the office
of Governor Gillett this afternoon, af-
ter conference lasting more than an
hour and a half, when the testimony
of the recent hearing brought about
by charges of Miss Ada Clark OF
Zamora, Yolo county, that Van Liew
had tried to hug her in his office, and
others charging unprofessional con-
duct were reviewed. Not only was the
Clark case taken up, but Governor
Gillett presented other charges he has
in which Van Liew's character Is as
sailed.
This action follows closely upon the
acquittal July 28 last, of Van Liew of
five charges mentioned by Governor
Gillett when he called for an inves-
tigation. Van Lew was acquitted by
the votes of Trustees Clifford Cog
gins, E. A. Warren and ]. F. Camp
bell. Florence ]. O'Brien and Ed
ward Hyatt voted to sustain the
charges.
NEW TRUSTEE AT MEETING
Upon the death of Trustee Warren,
who was one of Van LiewS support
ers, shortly after the acquital, the
governor appointed Frank NJ. Ruth
erford of Truckee to fill the vacancy
and his first appearance at meeting
of the board was today. 1t was given
out that the meeting was for the pur-
pose of having Rutherford meet his
associates, and that there would be
a general discussion on several i'm
portant matters. Thustee Campbell
was not present on account of Illness,
but Rutherford met the others and
took an active part in the discussions.
Called together by Governor Gillett
this afternoon, five members Of the
board met in the governors Office
Those present were Governor Gillett,
Secretary Florence j. O'Brien, Cliff
ford Coggins, lEdward Hyatt and the
new member, Frank Rutherford. At
torney General Webb was also present,
but he happened to be In the govern
or's Office when the trustees came, as
Governor Gillett was asking legal ad-
vice upon certain matters relative to
the proposed extra session of the leg
islature.
SESSION IS LIVELY
While there was no definite action
taken, and the trustees did not or
ganize for the transaction of business,
there was lively session for more
than an hour ana half. Inc uls-
cussion waxed warm and all of the
trustees present participated.
Trustee Coggins was shown where
Van Liew stood as far as the other
members of the board are concerned
and this evidently was the reason for
the calling of the meeting. Coggins
was given to understand that if Van
Liew did not resign, he would be re-
moved, and as Coggins is the staunch
friend of Van Lew and has been di-
recting the presidents movements in
the controversy, it looks as though he
will have to have talk with Van
Liew in which the question of his res
ignation will be the chief topic.
The governor presented evidence at
hand which shows that the Clark girls
charge is not the only one wherein
Van Liew's reputation has been as
sailed. He did not mince matters in
the least and he has the support of
Trustees O'Brien, Hyatt and Ruther-
ford. Trustee Campbell, who was not
present on account of illness, is count
ed on the governors side If the re-
moval of Van Lew comes to a vote
again.
Asked If he thought that Van Liew
would resign before the meeting called
for next Friday, Governor Gillett said:
ST hope so, as that would clear the
atmosphere for the board"