The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-24
H: M. Smith, Jr., Throws
New Light on V. P. 1.
Controversy.
BOARD FAVORED
CHANGE OF HEAD
Was Uninfluenced in Choice of
DR.. Eggleston, Says Member
of Board of Visitors, in
Statement Distinctly Fa-
vorable to Governor
Mann.

New light is shed on the Mann Bar
ringer controversy In a statement by
n M. Smith. Jr to The Times Dispatch
yesterday. in which. as member Of
the board of visitors OF the Virginia
Polytechnic Institute. he relates the
incidents surrounding President Bar
ringers resignation as they are known
TO him.
According TO Mr.. Smith, DR.. Barrin-
ger wrongly harbors the delusion that
he has been badly treated. Despite the
fact that he had throughout the most
critical period of his administration
oeeh Dr. barrinsers staunchest friend
and supporter, Mr. Smith says he as
wei as many of DIR. Barringcr's best
friends, had in 1912 come to yhe con-
clusion that his usefulness at Virginia
Polytechnic Institute was at an end
The tone Of Mr.. Smiths statement is
distinctly in favor OF Governor Mann
who was charged by DR. Barringer with
using improper methods In securing
his resignation from the presidency
There was no concerted trick to get DR.
Barrnger out and pat DR.. Eggleston
in says Mr. Smith. For some time
after Dr. Barringers resignation ma
3ority OF the board he asserts. was on
posed 10 Dr Eggleston. agreeing upon
him only after exhaustive search had
iailed 10 reveal man better equipped
10 MI the position.
Mr.. smiths Statement.
Mr. Smiths statement follows.
No" that tho smoke Of battle has
cleared away IL is due Governor Mann
ana the board OF visitors OF the vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute that give
my version OF ,ho Mann BarrinEer con
troversy,
Two facts Will probably not be de-
MED by any one in Virginia who has
Kept informed OH the situation.
j. Probably more than any one else
was responsible for the selection OF
Or Barringer as president OF the vIr-
sinia Polytechnic Institute
? During Dr. Barringer's admins.
tration and during It's most critical pc
Rod l was his staunchest friend and
supporter
When my term on the Virginia poly
technic Institute hoard expired, July
j. 1910. was not reappointcd by Gov
ernor Mann. had no right TO ex-
pect II, and II was understood BY my
friends o: the alumni and perhaps -
the Governor. that would decline fur
ther service. My aggressive support
OF Or. Barringcr while on the board
especially in the Priddy fight. had
made me sorie enemies, and perhaps
cstrohged few friends. IL addition
the duties had taken TOO much time
.i'''i W.. E9citrSiOE. anu, az l'T bar
ringer was then well in the ascen-
dency. / was glad 10 retire. After my
retirement from the board however
DR. Rarringcr constantly sought my
advice as 10 college matters both IN
person and by correspondence. which
was always pleased TO give him, and
felt honored by the request
"AImost Made Cood."
have never hesiIatcd TO say, and
do now say. that DR. BarrinEer was
never given n fair show at the Vir-
ginla Polytechnic Institute. In the
face OF many obstacles, however. he
almost made good. in my humble opin-
ion. His management of the finances
was particularly good, and he raised
the educational standard very consid-
crnbly. thereby. among other advant-
ages. putting the college finally in
shape for the Carnegie foundation
The campus and buildings under his
administration were much improved
and beau;ifiei; the sanitary conditions
brought up to date: the farm manage
ment was put on saner basis. both
from a scientific and business view
Now to the point-When Dr. Fcrney-
houGh approached me in the spring OF
1912 and asked If / would accept ap-
pointment on the board il it was ten
dered me- he gave as his reason that
DR.. BarrinRer had had so much opposi-
i'll,
ministration. that many of his best
friends felt that his usefulness was
at an end, and there ought to be 4
change. ! had reluctantly come to the
same conclusion myself, and was as
sured and believed that 4 majority or
the board OF visitors felt the same way
in fact. it was in the air--all over
the state. DIR. Ferneyhough told me
that the Governor was disposed to re-
appoint Mr. Noel and Mr. Kline. when
we both very much opposed, for one
reason. rs we knew 1t would insure
not only Dr. Barringcr's defeat, but
possibly his humiliation, which We,
as his friends We're anxious to avoid.
Dr. Ferneyhough's plan was to assure
the Governor that if lie would appoint
friends of Dr. BarrinEer, instead of his
enemies. tha. ne would inswe: for his
graceful retirement.
Says Hartman Approved.
Dr.. Ferneyhough told me that he
had talked the situation over with Mr..
Daniel Harman, who was recognized as
Dr. I3arringer's closest friend and adj
wiser and that Mr.. Harman fully ap-
proved of the plan, and agreed to
co-operate with him in every particu-
lar
DIR. Fcrneyhough told me further
that Mr.. Harman knew that no sue
cossor had been agreed upon, sug-
gested that the board. In accepting
DR.. Barringer's resignation. should ask
him to hold on another year until they
could agree on his successor This
ought to convince any fair-minded
man that there was no trick to get
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