Semi-weekly herald., 1913-06-23
THE FoRT LEWIS SCHOOL.

When Fort Lewis was given $45,000
for the biennial period and Governor
Ammons trimmed appropriations to
what he believed would mean the pay
ment of every dollar appropriated, it
was believed that future trouble would
be over, but it appears not, the school
authorities being more at sea than
ever. 1t appears that some one slip
ped in section, Joker" as it
were, 10 the effect that no bills should
be contracted without the actual cash
being in the state treasury. The
author of the section no doubt meant
well, the object being to keep the diff
ferent institutions from having an
overdraft at the end Of the year-to
make them live within their income.
Sc far as outward appearances the
section is a wise one, but as construed
by the state authorities, the auditor
and treasurer, it means the disrup
ton of such institutions as Fort
Lewis, Grand Junction and the Gun
nison schools for the reason that be-
fore any contracts can be made for
the Forthcoming term the money must
be in the treasury. According to this
ruling the necessary money to care
for paying the first and second class
appropriations for the year must be
in the treasury before any OF the third
class appropriations will be available
and even then there must be money
to the credit of the different third
class institutions before contracts can
be made for the expenditure of the
money. We understand that DR.. Lory
was informed that if any bills were
contracted by the third class insti-
tutions proceedings would be insti-
tuted against the officials making
them. If this ruling is literally ad-
hered to there may not be any money
in sight for Fort Lewis before Oc-
tober or November, too late for the
school to organize for effective win
ter work. 1t means more. 1t means
the discharge of the entire force at
Fort Lewis-farmers and employees
tilling the soil-consequently heavy
loss in this way. UP to the present
time, or possibly the first of July,
the income from the farm and dairy
has kept the institution going, but it
will not be for the next few months
and under the ruling no indebtedness
can be incurred or income anticipated.
The ruling of the auditor and treas
urer appears to be unnecessary and a
special meeting of the board of trade
should be called and the matter taken
up with our representatives and sem
ators of the district who in turn
should present facts to the state Off
cials. 1t is positive that sufficient
funds will be forthcoming for the
Fort Lewis school to keep it run
ming even if repairs and improve
ments are not carried out as plan
ned and the state boards should be
given privilege of going ahead to a
reasonable degree.
The course of studies for the COM
ing term should be out at this time
or at least within few weeks, SO
those contemplating attending will ar
range accordingly. Again, if the farm
er and farm employees are discharged
it means they will have to seek other
employment and an entirely new force
may have to be secured. By this
time the school authorities should have
their teaching corps selected but SC
fer nothing has been done or can be
done until DR.. Lory and Superintend-
ent Snyder are given permission by
the state officials.
No question but that the attend
ance at Fort Lewis since its opening
has been curtailed owing to the un.
certainty of funds.
Let immediate action be taken al
once to prevent loss of the farm ano
dairy income and assurance that the
school will be conducted as usual.