The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-01-26
CLUB women HEAR
]. N. EVANS
LOCAL MAN DISCUSSES CONSOLE
DATiON AT MEETING OF MIS-
SOULA ORGANIZATION.

n open meeting of the MiSsoula
Woman's club held yesterday after
noon was largely attended. Miss Min
ME Spurgin, chairman of the liter
allure department presided. The
musical program included a solo, MY
Ain Folk" by Miss Ethel Hughes, ac-
companied by Miss Ida Hurlbut; two
solos All for YOU and Sunshine
and Butterflies" by Mrs. c. F.. Simons,
accompanied by Miss Hurlbut: a piano
solo, 'Rigoletto," by Miss Sullivan n
two vocal solos, From the land of
the Sky Blue Water" and "Mammy's
Lullaby by Mrs. c. w. Norquist, ac-
companied by Miss Hurlbut. ]. M.
Evans made a comprehensive state
ment of the issues involved in the
question of consolidating the institu-
tons of higher learning in Montana.
He said in part: 81 have always a
the greatest interest in the university
of Montana. AS a member of the
state board of education for 10 years
l was in the closest touch with it's
progress. l personally fitted up the
hall known as Evans hall. NO one
can accuse me of lack of interest. Ten
years ago. the question of ~conSollda-
ton was discussed in the state board,
but was deemed impracticable and
three years ago the same matter came
up again. Again the members of the
board took a stand against it. Today
the board is not unanimous in favor
of consolidation. Montana graduates
about $50 high school pupils every
year. Not more than half of these
will go to college. In four years this
would make about 900 students in the
consolidated university if all should
attend. But, about 900 would normally
go out of the state for advanced edu-
cation. This would leave GOO students
in the university. Under present con-
ditions there are 500 students in the
four state institutions, though not all
of college rank.
Land Reverts to Donors.
THE deeds of gift for college
grounds at Missoula, Bozeman and
Dillon contain the provision that If
these grounds are abandoned by the
institution to which they are given
they will revert to the original own
ers. Therefore they could not be used
for high schools. The change Would
mean relinquishing 100000 and ask
ing the state for 81 900, 600 to finance
the consolidated university. The state
this year has a deficit of $loO,0oo,
therefore the bonding of the state for
the new enterprise would not be good
business.
even though the bill for consolida-
ton may be passed by the legislature
the people are likely to defeat the
bond issue. What then? Consolida-
ton and numbers do not make 4
university. In Colorado the School of
Mines at Golden, although separated
from the university at Boulder, mas
won recognition as one of the best IN
the United States. A greater school
might be gained by consolidation, but
he greatest good for the greatest
number. In other states from 50 to
Is per cent of the students in each
university comes from within a radius
of 100 miles of it's campus More
students can attend four segregated
schools thar can travel the great dis
lance to one location in the state.
Montana has now as many students in
proportion to ltS population aS "hS
other state in the union. Unificatlon
OF the conduct of the four state m
stitutions Of Montana under one head
with a definite income, would be the
best solution of the problem and a Dill
TO that effect is nov being pre-
pared
A motion to place the Missoula
Woman's club on record as opposed
ia consolidation was laid on the table.