The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-03-11
HITS UNIVERSITY GOVERNMENT
Holds it is Neither Efficient Nor Econo-
mical and Not in Keeping With Cam
paign for Retrenchment Started for
all State Institutions.

james II. ITOICman OF Milwaukee,
has resigned as president of the board
of regents of the University of Wis
consin because he believes the board
and President Charles R. Van Hise Of
the university are not in harmony with
the general state policy Of economy and
retrenchment of Gov. Philip and rati-
fed by the electors at the polls last No
vember. Mr.. Trottman filed a state
ment for his reasons for resigning with
his formal resignation. His term as re-
gent expired on February 18th, but he
continues in office until his successor is
appointed.
Mr.. Trottman charged that Presi-
dent Van Hise and the board of regents
are not in sympathy with the economy
policy Of the state administration, that
contracts for construction Of a new
physics building and an addition to the
soils building were attempted to be
made IN violation of the agreement be
tween the regents and Gov McGovern
that these improvements be deferred
until July |, 1915, SO the 1915 legisla-
ture could consider the repeal of the
appropriations for those purposes, and
that unfair attempts were made to force
the contamination of these proposed
contracts before Gov. Phillip took office
Mr.. Trottman further said he believ-
ed a paid board should be selected to
manage the affairs of the university and
that it should be guided by strict prin-
ciples of economy.
50 The present government Of the uni
versity is not, in my opinion, either eff
ficient or economical, said Mr.. Trott-
man in his statement. Men and won
en- who can give only fraction of their
time to this important work can do but
little beyond voting in approval or dis
approval of what is presented by the
president. They have not the time to
investigate the facts, and full state
ment of fact is seldom presented, it
must be accepted because there is
neither time nor opportunity for prop
er Investigation.
The campaign for economy and
retrenchment' found favor everywhere
and the university was charged with
extravaganza. Since August /, 1914
the nations Of Europe have been carry
ing on a war which in numbers engaged
in magnitude and cost exceeds every
other war of which history has record
and business depression has grown
acute. In short, our country is suffer
ing from hard times and, when every
citizen must economic, it is in my
opinion the duty of the universities
not only in Wisconsin, but in other
states as well, to curtail and limit ex-
penses so far as possible.
In these circumstances, am salts.
fed it was our duty not to hasten after
the election to proceed to new cnstruc-
tion, but give the legislature of 1915
elected on 'retrenchment and econo-
my platform, opportunity to reconsider
with care and prudence, the big appro-
priations made by the legislature of
1913.
After the 1915 legislature has had
opportunity to reconsider and has act
ed upon these appropriations the ar
rangement between the regents and
former Gov. McGovern will have been
given proper effect, and not before.
believe / understand university
ideals and the value of higher education
and its usefulness to the state. / have
tried to understand both the business
and educational sides of the university
and have spared neither time nor effort
in this work. / have gradually become
convinced that the policy of great ex-
pansion followed by the regents, under
President Van Hise s administration, is
of doubtful wisdom and can not be
fully justified.
.The university, as the head Of our
educational system, should be an exam
pie of economy and efficiency. 1t
should not seek the greatest possible APP
preparations. It's needs should be
frankly and with as much accuracy as
possible submitted by the board
charged with the responsibility of its
government, and appropriations should
be measured by these needs and with
proper regard to economy,