The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-08-12
FIGURES HANDLED CRAFTILY
Estimates of University Officials Are
Considered Instead of Actual Ex-
penses of the University During the
Last Two Year Period.

The joint finance committee of the
legislature recommended appropriations
for the university carrying for operation
of colleges and departments $3,628,980.
This was advertised as a cut. 1t turned
out to be an increase of $4,000, or
$4,000 excluding $4,000 for appar
atus.
The cut advertised was a cut from
university estimates for the next two
years; the actual increase is increase
over expenditures for the last two
years To discover what the cut was
comparison was made with what was
asked for. To find out what the actual
increase is comparison must be made be-
tween what was spent in the last bien
mum with what is allowed for expendi-
ture in the next biennium. What was
cut from estimates has no bearing on
what the increase in expenditures will
be over those of the last two years.
The finance comittee looked at re-
quests. The university asked for a
large increase The committee cut this
estimate, apparently not knowing that
it did not cut enough to prevent a large
increase in expenditure during the next
two years. The committee does not ask
questions as to work done, whether
more and better work might not be done
with less money. 1t concerned itself
1r1; Al o,,++;,,o. 1oxuy oc+;yoo +aa "a do,,or+
ments instead of with expenditures,
known opportunities for greater eff
cheney, and saving of money.
The total enrolment in the regular
course i'll the university in the biennium
191-14 was an increase of SOL over the
preceding biennium. The increase in
cost of salaries, wages, and maintaining
offices in the same time was $581, 900
not including extension, agricultural in
stitutes, summer sessions, and hygienic
laboratory. This increase amounts to
$3.50 for every student added. This is
for three items of expense only. The adj
vertised increase Of Wisconsin students
was 474 in the four years 1926 is
added for every additional student from
Wisconsin who goes to the university.
Three Wisconsin private colleges
with a combined enrolment of 827 in
1914 had combined total income of
$206,600, $3.50 per student.
Grinnell College in Iowa, with an en-
rollment of 663 had an income Of $780,
900, and the University of North Dakota
had $685. for 1917 students.
The $575000 increase recommended
for the university for the biennium is
nearly as much as is spent for operation
in year by the eight normal schools
in Wisconsin with an enrolment of
nearly 1900 Oshkosh, Milwaukee, and
River Falls normals have an enrolment
of 1905 students. These schools spent
last year $315,000 for operation.
Do the people of Wisconsin believe
that the university is spending too
much, enough, or too little money!
The state board Of control believes
that in can run the charitable and penal
institutions of the state for the same
amount as was expended last biennium,
and at thesame time take care of in
creased numbers. The university wants
$4,000 more for an estimated increase
of from 400 to 600 students a year.
The finance committee has been adj
vertising cuts. Analysis of its recon-
mendations has shown increases over
last biennium IS expenditures. Recon-.
mendations have been compared with
requests. Comparisons should be based
on expenditures, not requests.
What do the Wisconsin taxpayers
think about it9 Do they want cuts or
increases? Do they want more and bet
ter work with less money, or do they
merely want more money on the sup
position that it will get more works