The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-22
MICHIGAN'S TAP.
The Alumni Of New York Gladly AS
sess Themselves for S25O.OOO.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Si': In
my opinion you ave placed the Cni-
versity Of Michigan in an unfair light In
your editorial article OF TUESDAY. sep
tember u. headed Michigan Taps the
Metropolis | would like to say a word
IN behalf OF the university and tha cam
pairu which will soon open 10 obtain
funds from the alumni for the Michigan
Union building.
First Of all. Michigan has not tapped
the metropolis" The gentlemen whu
have received diplomas from Michigan
and who reside In New York city tapped
themselves. They have been among the
most loyal supporters OF the Michigan
Union for years. have taken pleasure in
subscribing at various times money 10
support their ~favorite Institution az the
university. and now when the campaign
is about 10 begin to raise 81, 900. 900 TO
build and endow a home for the Union.
the gentlemen of New York come for
ward with the rest Of the 5000 Alumni
Of Michigan and propose II do their
share In a work which they are very
happy to do for their alma mater.
Ia your article you imply shat s250,0oc
from the New York alumni Is toe large
"A sun to come from the metropolitan
district" The gentlemen OF New York
nave never been asked to subscribe m
such sum as that, but in their enthu-
sIasn for a cause very dear to their
hearts they have determined, apparently,
To Try to raise I AT much money /.
too. think that one-tourth Of the total
sum needed is too much to come from
New York. For example. the city ~
Detroit, with three times As many alumni
as New York, is expected to raise only
s250.o00. My point Is that the metro
poliian district has not been tapped at
all, hut whatever sum the New Workers
choose TO give FOR the Michigan Union
cause - their " business.
The alumni OF Michigan { roughout
the world take great pride I'm th- Michi-
gan Union project, because It is the rrst
time In the eighty years OF the univer-
sity's existence that the alumni have
been called upon 10 contribute ANYTHING
Gifts and donations have been ma lie
from time to time. hut never us a body
have the alumni been asked TO contribute
10 the university.
II was the alumni themselves who sug-
ges,ed the Uniou building for Michigan.
and the New York alumni We're among
the most enthusiastic for the project.
The Alumni Of other universities have
contributed millions in answer 10 various
appeals for funds to help out thei, alma
matters. and +, does not strike me that
Michigan Is particularly sporty to ask
for 81 OO, 900 after eighty years - sub
s's,ence on the zone too large appropria-
tiun from tHe State Legislature, You
say that the state OF Michigan should be
made 10 pay for the Union building, |
wish the State would pay for II, hut II
won't. However. the alumni are very
glad to render this service in the Com
monwealth's stead
The city Of New York will not be ove--
$1,000 ...,. VAa thtu Itt1IFa.
alumnus viii give any more than he can
well afford. ! might say in that regard
that could name "A Michigan alumnus
residing in New York wto has Just re-
( Gently given twice as much as the $3.50
O0u YOU deplore for a building at the
university. and the gentleman was not
tapped for that building either he gave
il for the : me reason that the alumni
generally are going to contribute 10 me
Mirh,Gau tnlun cause, because they are
glad In dn what they are able TO DO I,
repay the university for what II ha.
lone for them. CHARLES A.. Hu1HEs.
DETROIT, Mich. September 20,