Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-11
Statement Prepared Before Leaving
Iowa Fer. Benefit Of HE Health,
New Given Publicity by His Col.
Isaauss-Dsfsnds Action and Ex-
plains Purposes Of Board.
special to Tines.Republican.

cation, setting forth MS VIEWS on tue
matter Of coordination of the insti-
tutions of higher learning ir the state.
with the request that at The proper
time 1t be given publicity.
This letter has been given to the
public by the educational board, feel
Ing. no doubt. that 1t should be given
publicity prior to he meeting Of the
state legislature. The letter follows:
spirit Lake. Iowa. Dec. 26. 1912.
ITO the members Ut the state board
Of education:
my dear colleagues: Regretting
deeply that circumstances over which
I have no control render 1t Impossible
for me to be upon the firing line in this
contest in which am so deeply inter-
ested, and which believe to be OF vital
importance to the educational inter-
ests of our state, take this method
of putting on record my convictions
touching the matter.
"a single board system IT state
school government is on tiial for its
life. The head and front OF its offend
ing is in that 1t has ignored the lines
of least resistance and been faithful
to the practical purpose whereunto 1t
was created. For years legislators were
disturbed, II not dismayed, by evidence
Of unfortunate rivalry arraying the
state against itself. Wasteful dupli-
cations and business methods slack be-
cause Of impractical organization. were
disquieting, If not irritating. General
failure on the part of the separate
boards to recognize the important fact
that the state schools are, or ought
to be coordinate factors in great
institutional organization was painfully
apparent Hence the development Of
patriotic legislative purpose to place
state school government on a better
basis Of coordination and efficiency.
to the end that by minimizing waste.
educational interests might be practt-
cally advanced.
Purpose Of Educational Board.
"An exhaustive eport by an able
legislative commission is the basis OF
the single board. In committee and on
the floors Of legislation statutory con-
ditions were created in the assump-
ton that the state need was so appar-
ent that state approval was foregone
conclusion. A single board was clothed
with the powers Of regents and trustees
to bring the institutions into more
practical harmony. COMMITTEES OF
three men was to be named by the
board at a good salary, to give their
entire time to study of institutional
prolems and to familiarity with insti-
tutional affairs.
1T is believed that not a single MEM
Der Of the new board sought appoint
ment. 1t may be confidently stated
that not one Of the three men named
for the committee positions wrote q
letter or said a word to secure the ap-
pointment. The new system was in
stalled July I, 1909. At legislative
session a year and half later the
enormous budgets submitted by the
board were approved to the last dollar,
without an hours lobbying on the part
Of the board, the committee. or the
presidents or dean or alumni new
record in the annals Of legislative ex-
perience. Feeling its way along the
trails Of public duty, the board after
three years united in a plan looking
toward the realization of the practical
purpose Of the founders OF the new
system. It became more and more
imbued with the conviction that the
real needs of the state were Involved.
and with the courage Of such convic-
ton. announced a program. having for
it's purpose and substantial promise
greater institutions, with minimized
waste of public revenues.
Work Of Board Difficult.
.I+ was not to he expected that
nropram so offensive to community
creed and to selfish sentiment could
90 unchallenged into effect. 1t was not
unforeseen that the details OF reor-
sanitation would involve painful per-
sonal experiences. It Is most regret
table that such offences must needs
come because of the early failure to
place the two great schools on single
campus as many states have so profit
ably done, or of more harmonious
and symmetrical purpose on the part
Of state school government. But be-
lieying that it is charged with the
responsibility Of building, not for the
day. but for the ages. the board
could not escape the conclusions that
have invited so much controversy.
Appeal is taken to the legislature
to over-rule the action Of the board.
This It may do by shaping appropri-
ations or by amendment to the law.
In this contest, let no legislator de-
ceive himself or be deceived. The
single board system IL on trial for Its
life AS governing system the board
must govern or go out Of practical ex-
istence. The legislature that decides to
veto the action of the board In plain
pursuance OF the purpose for which it
was created should push Its campaign
logically to conclusion and wipe out
the system and reinstall the old form
of separate government. Systems and
not men are on trial. II this legis-
lature should assert itself in oppost-
ton to the board which has. all In
good faith, JUSTIFIED the existence OF a
single board system. It reverses the
legislature which installed 1t and
should not falter IN dealing with all
vital issues involved.
Believes Opponents Few.
TN this controversy is fine field
for thoughtful legislators who yearn to
perform real service to a preponder-
ance of the revenue producing public.
They may easily ascertain how small
proper ton OF tax payers are z:;a!s..ss
this ncise against the boards pro-
81 p. {.