Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-08-05
BOARD TIRED
OF M|NO7 MUSS

FARGO, Aug. 3-The contest at
Minot over the selection of site for
the new normal school is attracting
the attention of the state an. a final de
cision of the board will be awaited
with interest. One of the members
of the state normal board of control
was in the city yesterday on his way
home from Bismarck, where fruit
less meeting was held by the board
Tuesday in an endeavor to unite the
Gordian knot. Being asked what the
board was likely to do he said:
Il sometimes wonder if the new
normal school is the property of the
state or the property if Minot. Con.
ditions there are about the same as
at all other cities where state in
situations are located: local interests
get more consideration than the
states. 1t was, as l understand it.
because of this local feeling that the
legislature created the state board of
control hoping thereby to take away
the local element and have the insti-
buttons run in the interest of the
state; with the greatest economy
combined with the greatest efficiency
"Practically the only issue at stake
is the selection of a site, so far as
the board is concerned, lies in the
economical problem, not only in build
ing, but in the future maintenance of
the institution. Some members of the
board, together with Governor Burke
and many of the citizens of Minot,
feel that the hill location would entail
a large additional building expense
a continual heavy expense for trans
porting fuel and other supplies to the
school, and places the school at one
side of the town where it will be diff
cult of access to students.
1.-THE members of the board have
no personal interest in the matter
whatever. but, carrying out the idea
which caused the creation of the
board of control, We believe we could
not be doing our duty if these ques-
tons did not cause us earnest con-
sideration regardless of the wishes Of
a portion of the people of Minot. Not
that we have any desire to disregard
entirely the Minot people, not by any
means; but l consider that the board
is the buffer between the interests of
all the taxpayers and those of one
locality.
"As an evidence of our desire to
please the people of Minot l am sat
SIZED the board will soon ask the peo-
pie of Minot to hold an election to de-
tide whether majority of the people
want the institution on the hill or in
The valley. We have been bombarded
with all kinds of petitions until pc
;itions have lost their value to large
extent, and there can be no fairer way
If ascertaining the real sentiment of
he people than through this proposed
election.
"The talk of railroad influence is
simply poppycock, for there is moth
ng in it, for the railroads will handle
he supplies regardless of where the
school is located. but as large tax
payers in the city and state, and as
)ardheaded business men, the railroad
,f1cials who have had anything to
Jay on the matter readily perceive the
Great expense of maintenance if the
Is placed on a hill, or far
Instant from the railroads.
II do not believe it necessary that
he entire grant of land need be in
me place. All the school requires is
DOM to expand, room for demon
tration of agriculture and for cam
us and athletics. Thirty to thirty
i've acres is ample for this; but of
curse everything else being equal it
would be desirable to have the land
n one body.
However the Minot people will soon
ave a chance to vote on the pro-
osition, and then we will be able to
iscover their real sentiments as to
,cation. This vote will simply be to
esignate choice of hill or valley
)cations and when this is decided. the
GARD can readily come to decision
n a site somewhere in the location
1e election shows is the popular one"