Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-06-28

not counting SO medical students Dur
ing the six years Of his administration
the medical college has lost a total of
ia students. owing to the raising Of its
standard of eligibility. The total en-
rollment gain, however, during this pc
riod has been "a per cent in the acad-
demic colleges-arts and sciences. ag-
riculture and engineering-and 541 or
1851 per cent. in the entire university.
DR.. Benton told a Free Press man he
believed the prospective good attend
ance was due to the fact that the uni
versity was the only institution Of
learning in New England which was
both in the distinguished military class
and of grade A scholastic rating. a
grade given by the federal bureau Of
education.
The military and home economics de-
partments he regarded as the most serv-
iceable to the country just now. while the
colleges of agriculture. engineering and
medicine were in the present crisis the
most important in the university. He
recommended the retention of the nor
NAL curriculum, including the ancient
languages. but combinations might be
necessary II institutional financial needs
grew greater. Chemistry. education and
modern languages were the most i'm
portant in arts and sciences. Special war
opportunities included Training OF Of
ficers for the army through the reserve
officers training corps. training of teach
ers for high school service, particularly
in home economics. Every young woman
who could be brought to the university
for such courses should be enrolled. he
said. The preparation Of teachers III agri-
culture and the education of physicians
and surgeons were other war oppor-
tunities.
Among the temporary forms of service
that might be required Of the university
| were: Training of wireless operators and
| aviators. training Of commercial teachers
and clerical experts. holding of night and
continuation schools.
DR.. Benton recommended in conclusion
| that "the executive committee be given
plenary authority to eliminate or combine
| temporarily any departments now exist
| ing and to create any new departments
| that the exigencics of war may demand"
and that several minor teaching positions
be vacated for the present, with the hope
that they may he Allied before next
September.
THE NEW COMPTROLLER.
Mr.. Bailey was the only person con-
sidered by the trustees for the office OF
| COHptTOIIeT. ne was 6eIeCteO on account
of the executive ability and capacity fol
organization which he has shown in his
| present position. He Is now serving his
fifth term as secretary of state and dur
ing that time the duties of the Office
have increased far beyond anything thai
! was imagined when he was elected
Under his supervision. the licensing ant
| regulation of automobiles have grown into
a business of vast proportions. This de-
partment is practically one of his crea
ton and the body Of automobile laws oil
the Vermont statute book has been largel.
written under his direction. These law
are considered among the best In tn,
United States and they have been copie,
very largely by many other States. TIL
revenue derived from the automobile
business has grown from small proper
tons to hundreds of thousands of dol
lars annually.
Under Mr.. Bailey's direction, the Stat
publicity department has been estab
lished and has reached a degree Of efYi
cheney equalled by very few Of the State
Of the Union. He has been vitality inter