The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-03

in the services of our alma mater. Those who gather here are leaders of educa- tional though in the state. and hence, these annual meetings constitute a potent force in mahing progress and the forma-
 tion of sound opinion as to our educa-
 tional condition and needs.
 Under the wise administration of Dr.
 Denny the university has made steady
 progress. During the past two years the enrolment Of students has increased
 from 390 to SIS, and considering the re-
 sources at his command no other Amerl-
 can college is able to furnish record
 more brilliant. Yet. as pr. Denny truth
 fully states. without additional teach-
 ing force and dormitories we have about reached the limit of our progress l trust I am guilty of no breach of confidence in stating that in his admirable and masterly report which will be presented
 to the board of trustees on tomorrow, pr Denny states that T find the amount or money internationally appropriated 10 the university under fixed statutes ma terially smaller than is the case in any other tax supported university Tn the na- tion.' What. then, is the cause or thls condition? Is there no remedyY Has the state reached the limit of it's resources in providing for the needs of our higher in stitution of learning? If so further dis cussion would be unnecessary But l cannot reach such a conclusion. No state I in the south possesses such unrivaled re- | sources as Alabama. It is today wealthy | and prosperous state and the possibili' ] ties of future development in industrial and agricultural fields are almost with out limit The conditions that exist ther
 are not due to our poverty. but to causes | which can be removed by just and wise | legislation.
 University at. Head
 "The University of Alabama is the | head of our educational institutions. It largely determines our educational standards and must continue to exer- else potent influence upon our edu- lcationai progress. Where the resources of a state are limited or meager that
 it cannot maintain both fundamental Ieducation and high institutions of learning, then I concede that it's first duty would he to properly maintain that | fundamental or elementary education which affects the interest of all of its lcitizens. No one. however will con tend that Alabama with it's wealth
 and resources is not able to properly
 maintain both elementary and secon- dary schools and a higher institution | of learning. No state in the union con- ltributes more from it's general taxation | for elementary education than Alabama. over 69 per cent of all the appropria- tions the common schools receives l Ns
 was supplemented by a system of local taxation, both county and school dis trict encouraging both local initiative and effort and stimulating local pride, i our elementary schools would at once commence a new era of progress and development The primary cause of
 the present educational conditions in Alabama Is due to the fact that in
 their mistaken zeal for education our Legislatures during the past quarter of l a century instead of strengthening and
 Increasing facilities of existing institu- tions have sought to establish too many
 institutions relying upon state aid. As has been truly saids the state needs
 one university. but not two It needs
 one normal college and not six or eight,
 Opportunities Open
 "Our universities are open to every young man of energy and ambition. Not withstanding our marvellous industrial l growth and prosperity it is foolish to ex- pect that all other prosperity will follow material prosperity. From all these great | seats of learning in the republic there l are annually being poured forth large body of educated young men upon whom | we must rely aor juster view and solu- | tion of the serious problems of democratic | government. The chief dangers that
 menace the future come from ignorance. | Its dangers alone can be dispelled by | the army of educated youth who annually | join the ranks of our citizenship. Ours | is a government controlled by opinion, 1 and it has been truly said that the poll | ticians do not lead, but public opinion l leads them. This great university with | it's corps of trained experts constantly studying the great problems of the day l and its increasing alumni at present con-
 stitute the most potent factors for prog ress in the formation of sound and just 1 opinion. There is and there can be but l one University in Alabama. With ade- | quate appropriations. with an enlarge
 ment of it's teaching force and equipment l to meet present conditions and by a sys- tenn of extension work to carry it's bless