The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-06-26

No action Of the State Board Of Re
gents has occasioned so much sur
prise and met with more public dis
approval In years than the transfer OF
President o. /. Woodley from the Fair
mont Normal School to Huntington
and the appointment Of Prof. Joseph
Roster as president Of the local Nor
NAL school. It came like thunder
bolt from a clear sky. Staggered by
the shock the people were some time
In gaining their equilibrium. but when
they did they came forth voicing their
protests and wondered what the board
had against Fairmont.
It has been learned that the Board
of REGENTS was not advised as TO local
sentiment, and after they have learned
that this action has been serious
blow to the future growth and useful
ness Of the institution they will no
doubt reconsider it's action. There
was no one as far as The West Vir-
ginian has been able to ascertain. and
2 Il has inquired of many Of the lead
ing citizens OF the community in the
last 4s hours. who had the slightest
intimation that such action was CON
4emplated. Even DR.. Woodley himself
was surprised and his most Intimate
friends knew nothing OF it. 1t was
believed here that he would be re-
turned to Fairmont, as matter OIL
course, to finish the new Normal build
ing and fully establish the work he
has SO well commenced.
A telegram from DR.. Woodley from
the University of Virginia where he
is now delivering summer lectures.
was received in the city yesterday and
reads as follows:
University OF Virginia.
Charlottesville, June %, 1918.
"For two months l have been hesi-
tating between staying in Fairmont or
accepting a position in New York.
love Falrmont. asked the board 10
wait until Monday (2Sth) for me to
make choice. Action leaves me choice
only, between Huntington and New
York. O. ]. WOODLEf.
So II will be seen from this telegram
that DR.. Woodley was not aware OF
the plan followed by the Board OF Re-
gents, and there is grave danger that
this action will result in the loss OF
Or. Woodley TO the state, as it is be-
lieyed here that he will take the New
York place in preference to going to
Huntington, unless the board rescinds
its action and returns him to Fair
mont, where he is in duty bound to
stay for at least another year or two.
DR.. Woodley had placed the Fair
mont Normal School in the front rank.
yes, in fact, at the head of the Normals
Of the state. He had, in fact, estab-
lished a real normal. doing real nor
NAL school work In training teachers,
something that Huntington with q
much larger plant. has not yet ac-
complished. He has the confidence OF
the people. He had the support OF the
people, and he has the cooperation
81 the teachers surrounding him. He
worked faithfully to secure better
quarters for the school. and when it
was believed the state would not have
the funds to go on with the new build.
ing he secured private subscriptions
Of $4,000 from the citizens OF Fair.
mont to finance the building until the
state fund was replenished.
The educational institutions OF the
state should be elevated above poll.
tics, especially petty local politics. and
thfs DR.. Woodley was big enough to
%. The appointment Of Joseph Ro-
sler, q practical politician. an intense.
II partisan one at that, to succeed him
Is Q step backward.
There have been many serious OBJ
iections raised to Mr.. Rosters ap-
uointment. The people who are best
Acquainted with the local situation
have freely and openly asserted since
this appointment has been made that
Mr. Rosters political activities will
prevent his obtaining the united sup
nort to enable him to make a success
Of the position.
It IS openly charged that he uses his