The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-08-01
DENNY
DENIES CHARGES
OF SENATOR LUSK
Makes Public Letter to Sena-
tor Alto V. Lee on
Subject
RECORDS SHOW NO
TRACE OF LOBBY
Reviews in Brief Excellent Work
Accomplished by the Summer
School Since Its
Foundation

| Tuscaloosa, July si.-tspecial.) Pres
ident Denny of the University of Ala
bama was today asked if the universit,
authorities desired to make any state
ment concerning the article printed In
The Age-Herald this morning. He there
| upon handed to your correspondent g
| copy of letter which he has mailed te
Senator Alto V. Lee. This letter reads
as follows:
Il am writing you with reference to the
question that has been raised concerning
| the appropriation made In 1903 in sup
port of the summer school of the Uni
versity of Alabama. Since this appropria.
ton was made a decade before I came to
Alabama l have no personal knowledge
concerning its history. 1 have therefore
examined the records of the trustees
| with view to ascertaining the exact
facts.
Il find that the first session of the
summer school was conducted in the sum.
mer of 1904. So far as 1 am able to as
certain by an examination of the records
the origin of the summer school is to be
traced to a recommendation made in q
report of President Abercrombie to the
trustees June l, 1908 President Aber-
crombie submitted to the trustees an
argument designed to show that 30 per
cent of the public school teachers OF
Alabama had received no special training
for their work. that a large majority
of the teachers held low grade certifi-
Gates, and that the public school sys-
tenn would be the chief beneficiary of the
establishment of such a school, He rec
commended that the trustees ask the Leg
islature for special appropriation for
this purpose.
ION June 2, 1908, Judge Coleman, on
behalf of the committee on education,
offered a resolution which was unani-
mously adopted. BY this resolution the
sum of $500 was appropriated and di-
rected to be paid the treasurer for the
establishment and maintenance of a
summer school There Is no reference
In the resolution establishing the sum-
mer school to the raising of any sum
whatever by the people of Tuscaloosa.
On the other hand, the resolution re-
quests President Abercrombie to take
steps to secure from the legislature an
appropriation to supplement the fund pro-
vided under the resolution of the trus-
tees. as
President Abercrombie, in his 1905 re-
port to the trustees, stated that the
summer school had been organized as
directed by the trustees He discussed
in detail the exact sources of income.
No reference whatever is made to any
funds sought or secured from the citi-
zens of Tuscaloosa.
II have discussed this whole matter
with Dean Barnwell and others. If there
has been any understanding expressed
or implied with reference to the raising
of money by local subscription, l have
not been allie to find anyone who has
any knowledge whatever concerning that
phase of the matter. On the other hand,
have before me a copy of the code,
and I can find in 1t no statement that
would suggest that any such condition
was attached to the appropriation made
on behalf of the summer school. I am,
however, informed that the act establish
ing the school contemplated that the
sum of $500 should be provided from
other SOURCES without specifying any
particular source
Remarkable Growth
"If l may be permitted to do SO, I
stantially what was said concerning
the summer school In the legislative
report of the trustees. In the summer
of 1911 there were FAB students en-
rolled. In the summer of 1915 we have
enrolled 7S5. The growth and influence
of the summer school has been, per-
haps, the most remarkable phenom-
enon in the recent educational history
of Alabama. 1t would seem clear that
the time has come when the legisla
ture ought to increase the small APP
preparation made for the support of
this great enterprise, which has con-
tributed SO largely to the growing eff
ficiency of the entire public school
system.
81 express my gratitude In view of
the statement made by you concern
ing the service that is being rendered
by the University of Alabama. Years
aso there were intimations emanating
from uninformed persons to the effect
that this institution is largely patron
lied by the sons and daughters of we'll
TODD people. Never was there a more
erroneous impression. 1t Is estimated
that more than one-half of our stu
dent body is wholly or partially self
supporting. Many of these students
have earned In advance every dollar
that is being expended by them Others
are partially earning their way by do
ing Work OF various kln0S. IL would De
impossible in this brief statement to
name In detail the many avenues of
self-help open to our student body,
which is typically representative of
the population of the state. The insti-
tuition is patronized by all classes and
conditions of men. 1t is a pure DEM
ocracy.
THE intimation that the University
OF Alabama has in days gone main
tanned a remunerated lobby Is, I am
persuaded. absolutely without founda-
ton. President Abercrombie Is not at
this time in Alabama, but his presence
here is not needed to refute such an
intimation. His high character as
man is a sufficient guarantee that no
such policy characterized his admin
istration. Moreover. the records of the
treasurer would disclose beyond ques-
ton any payment made for such pur-
pose. I am quite sure that no member
OF the legislature will seriously credit
any intimation that President Aber-
crombie or the trustees of the uni
versity have at any time maintained a
remunerated lobby. It is uncomfortable
to me that such an intimation can find
any real basis in the action of high
minded men.
assuring you of my regard. believe
me, sincerely.
GEORGE H DENNY,
PRESIDENT
Hearing on Knight Yancey Fees