The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1917-12-06
OREGON NEEDS HIM
(Portland JournaD

u VI AtAoAu JOuA udA
The arrival of DR.. Kerr in Oregon
starts afresh the discussion of the
offer made him to become president
of the Kansas Agricultural College.
The Kansas bid is an attractive
proposition. The institution has an
endowment of 100000 a year. 1t
stands in the front rank of institu-
tions of its kind. Its location nearer
the center of things of the nation
places 1t in closer touch with the big
life of the nation.
1t has splendid plant. Its build
ings are of stone and all its physical
arrangement of the first order. The
salary of the president Is $4,000 and
this, with the high repute of the in
stitution, makes the offer from its
board to DR.. Kerr an alluring PROS
pect for any man. The president
whose place DR.. Kerr Is asked to fill
resigned to accept the editorship of
the weekly edition of Kansas City
newspaper at $4,000 a year, which
shows something of the opportunities
headship Of that institution opens up.
No higher compliment could be
paid the Oregon Agricultural college
than is carried in this call for its
president to become president of the
Kansas institution. No greater CON-
mendation of agricultural progress in
Oregon could be given than is con-
tanned in the bid for President Kerr's
services. There could scarcely be q
higher testimonial to the state itself
than is this desire to transfer DR..
Kerr to the Kansas field.
1t is understood that the decision
is soon to be made, and in many
ways it is decision of unusual grav-
ity. There is no known reason why
Oregon should give over it's educa-
tional brains to Kansas and take du-
bious chances on finding substitute
brains. There is no known reason
why Oregon should surrender a de-
sirable thing that it has for the bene-
fit of another state. There Is no
known reason why Oregon, state
largely agricultural and with so much
yet to do in agricultural development,
should not have the best agricultural
leadership obtainable. Kansas to the
contrary Notwithstanding.
1t would be most difficult matter
for Oregon to find another agricultur-
al college president of the Kerr
mould or of the Kerr powers, or Of
the Kerr genius. Those who know
much about such things believe him
to DE as able college administrator
as there is in America. The Kansas
board of regents think so, for in its
list of applicants for the position Of
fered DR.. Kerr without solicitation
from him, are conspicuous educators
from the leading institutions of the
country.
1t is what he has done with the Or
egon institution that has made Pres
ident Kerr sought at Kansas. And
what he has done here has been ac-
! complished within 10 years from a
Very small beginning 1t is in field
on the fringe of America, far remote
from the center of things educational
and affairs national.
The provincial college of that dec
ade back is one of few of the great
institutions from which advanced ag
ricultural and scientific discovery ant
information are radiated. On &C
count of its high repute, many state!
are sending young men to 1t for thu
training that will make them leaders
| in the field of American production
| Its graduates are called for to taxi
high educational positions in institu
tions as far away as distant Main
and farthest Florida. 1t is conse
quential to Oregon to have an insti
tuition that is looked upon as one o
the few leaders of agriculture
B thought and progress in America.
N BY what he has done, Presiden
9 Kerr knows what can be done, wha
Il 1t yet to be done and how to do 1t il
Oregon. He knows better than an
y successor could know in years, tn
y people, the places and the possibilit
N les of this field. In this, there is tn
ID highest reason for the friends of tn
Oregon Agricultural college and tn
'r people of the state to make it clear t
l. President Kerr that they need hir
s and that they want him.