The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-02

onered here for the reason that the Iiv
 Ing conditions have been inadeauate and
 anuquated. It is obvious that in taking is sfeat forward step the authorities
 oi the University of Alabama are per-
 forming 2 long deferred duty and correct-
 ing an essestial injustice to the women of the commonwealth. The effect of this ac- tion on the public school system of Ala
 oama will be far reaching. It is undoubt-
 euiy the duty of the university to furnish
 the great mass of men and women who
 are to teach in the high schools of Ala
 pana- More than one-half of these high sehooi teachers are women. This situa-
 tion Will continue to obtain indefinitely
 It IS essential that these teachers shall | nave an opportunity to secure standard college training. This training should in ciude the work offered in the school of euucation. Such an opportunity Is avail apie to them in no other college in Ala bama.
 Student Self-government
 l IT IS great satisfaction to report to the trustees that, following two years of earnest discussion, the student body ha as nnally adopted by unanimous vote a con- 1 stltution which. while recognizing the au- thority of the university administration as superior to their own is designed to erect system of self government based on simple rules established and ordained Ds 'hSii oNh dttion. ms | regard as a great achievement. It would be difficult to assess al its real value this simple fundamental step. It Is perfectly clear to my mind that it will ultimately mean new spirit, new stimulus. and a new point of view in the entire student life Of the University of Alabama.
 Phi Beta Kappa
 "The reorganization of the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity at the University of Alabama Is event that merits some thing more than mere passing remark The fact that this great national honor orga nization, based solely on character and scholarship, unanimously voted to re-establish the Alpha chapter of Ala bama, which has been swept out of ex- istence in 1865, is a tribute to the national standing of this institution. Only colleges recognized by impartial experts as in every way standard may maintain chap ters of Phi Beta Kappa. There are few chapters in the entire south. These are maintained at the leading seats of learn ing. The University of Alabama enjoys the high distinction of standing sponsor for the only chapter that has ever existed in this commonwealth.
 "One year ago the trustees estab- lished an independent chair of eco monies and sociology. Prof Lee Bid good, a master of arts of the Univer- sity of Virginia, and later graduate student of the University of Wiscon- sin, was asked to inaugurate the new courses. From the very beginning the classes have been large. The courses offered have been popular with all ele- ments of the student body. Prior to accepting the call here Professor Bid- good had for one year, in the absence of Professor Page. served as head of the department of economies at the In of it,in Tbie bp hrntlphi to the work here not only the best training but the prestige of high ser vice in connection with another dis tinguished seat of learning. l am con vinced that these courses will continue to grow in popularity from year to year. I am also convinced that the work done in this department will ever more and more contribute to the high CT social and economic life of Ala bsma.
 Losses
 During the past year we have suf- fered severe losses. Two men who had for many years rendered distinguished service to the University of Alabama passed to their reward. I doubt if any institution in the country has been served by men of greater fidelity and loyalty than M. Paul LeGrand and J. H. Johnson, whose energy and courage and patience and steadfastness as trustees of this institution never failed to chal- lege the admiration and to evoke the
 gratitude of all who knew them. Ser vice to this institution was to them nothing short of a matter of faith and hope and love. l desire to put on record this simple expression of my own appreciation of their character and worth. Their memory will be grate- fully cherished by hosts of alumni and friends who have known their labors and felt the influence of their enthu- siasm and devotion.
 Temporary Leave of Absence
 "It is a matter of great regret to re- port to the trustees that. during the rast winter, two of our most useful and distinguished professors. Dr. Saf- fold and Dr. Sayre, were compelled to ask a temporary release from their work I am happy to say, however. that they are rapidly regaining their normal strength and that they are planning to return to the university by the beginning of our next session. This
 is exceedingly gratifying to all who are in any way connected with the in- stitution. These men have known and loved the University of Alabama since the beginning of their college days. They have served 1t with the utmost loyalty and fidelity. They are greatly beloved by. the student body. Gifts
 During the past year the univer- sty has received two valuable gifts concerning which I desire to make spe- cal mention. Some months ago MT. T. H. Aldrich, a well known citizen of Birmingham. through Dr. Eugene A. smith, generously donated a huge col lections of shells of great value, to- eether with a library consisting ot hundreds of useful scientific books
 to the scholarly tastes of man who has amid busy career kept alive his interest in natural history.
 Recently Col. James J. Garrett of
 Birmingham. an honored alumnus of
 .he university. presented to the law
 library what Is believed to be the best
 selected, if not the largest. individual private collection of law books in Ala bama This library consists of ap- proximately 1700 books. Many of these books are of special value to young men just beginning the study of law. They constitute therefore. an import ! ant addition to the law library. Among | the more important collections may be mentioned the following: All of the original Alabama reports. one volume excepted from Minors reports to 140 IAlabama; United States supreme court Ireports to volume 1S6; American deci- sions. 100 volumes; American reports, so volumes a large number of other reports of the West systems: and quite a number of English reports. some of them old and rare. Most of these books are in sound condition. Dean Farrah has expressed to me in most l.E- t<x1. Acttr r4At tA ~f