Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-01-09
THEORY WILL .
NOT SETTLE
QUESTION
TRIBUNE BOMBARDED BY
PEDAGOGICAL ARTICLES
FROM PEN OF EDUCATORS.
Pure BUSINESS PROPOSITION
For Twenty-Five Years the State
Has Listened to These Argu-
ments Without Results.

Since the Tribune began its articles
dealing with institutional affairs Of the
state, the educational trust which
exists in North Dakota has trained
its forty-two centmeter guns upon us.
AS result our mail has contained re-
plies from various pedagogical an
giles.
The Tribune does not believe the
problem can be solved by the educa-
tional organization that has grown
up during the last twenty-five years.
For that reason most Of these purely
technical articles will be ignored.
1. Not Pertinent
1t is unnecessary to lose sight of
the main issues by getting into b.ind
alley, however, alluring the induce
ments are. The questions involved are
not solely pedagogical even though
the purely technical considerations
enter somewhat into the general con-
troversy.
The application Of sound business
principles to the management OF our
educational plants, however, are Of
prime importance and it is to the fin
ancial management of the institutions
that the Tribune has sought to direct
attention. When purely pedagogical
questions where discussed, it was
merely as they had a bearing upon
the expenditure of large sums OF pub
lie funds.
Throw Sand.
There is no necessity for the edu-
Gators to attempt to throw sand into
the eyes of the taxpayers by raising
purely pedagogical issues. They can
not engage us, in controversy OF this
kind nor will theoretical discussions
solve the educational problems that
present, themselve for consideration
of this ifTeis :atpre. (
il@1g Educational Lobby. ..-..
The Tribune anticipates a powerful
educational lobby at, Bismarck this
session. They have been here in the
past and will be here again. This
leads us up to another point.
We do not hire institutional heads
to spend the states time and money
lobbying fer appropriations. This
evil has grown up under a system that
has destroyed the tax payers control
over the lorgd educational institu
tions.
Theoretically boards of trustees are
responsible for the management OF
these institutions, but in practice
these boards are little more than rub
Der stamps. They are hardly respect.
able auditing boards.
Drifted From Control.
The financial management Of these
institutions gradually has drifted
from the control Of the tax payer to
that of the educational organization
Presidents and other members OF
the faculties of our schools should not
be burdened with the financial affairs
of the institutions. Their time should
be employed in making the plant ettl-
cient from an educational standpoint.
Usurned Power.
But the faculties of the institutions
have usurped the prerogatives OF the
boards. They carry their demands
over the heads of the trustees and
come here in person to lobby for pub
lie funds both to increase their salar-
les and to squeeze every available
dollar from the state treasury fof
educational purposes.
Case in Point.
One case in point. The biennial re-
port of the State Agriculture college
signed bv Alex Stern filed recently
with Governor Hanna, bears a letter
in which Mr.. Stern dissents from
scme of the recommendation made.
Time and time again boards CT
trustees have refused to appear be-
fore the legislature and support the
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