Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-07-17
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED
DRESS
GIVE THE L \ CHANCE.

The University of New Mexico has
q new president SO far as pos
sible to Judge at this time, the selec-
ton of Dr. David Spence Hill, Of the
University of Illinois. to that position
was in accordance with the dictates OF
wisdom and for the best interests OF
the institution.
But DIR. Hill cannot. by himself.
make a university here. There must
be hearty cooperation on the part
of the faculty and instructors. This
beyond doubt will be given. There
must he enthusiastic support on the
part of the alumni This has not been
given to any noticeable degree in the
, past. There must be cooperation on
the part of the citizens of New Mexico
it is a state instiution-and par
ticularly on the part of the people of
Albuquerque. where it IS financial
and cultural asset of real importance.
Let it be said here with the utmost
fraakness that the people of Albu-
duerque have not paid much atten-
ton to the university. 1t has been
allowed to exist as best it could
Neither at the beginning nor at the
ending of terms. have the citizens of
this place shown enough interest to
go to the university to attend any
function.
The first excuse was difficulty Of
getting up the HILL but there was little
change in that attitude after the car
line was extended there 1t IS doubt
full if at any commencement as many
as fifty Albuquerque people, not d.
rectly connected with the school, have
ever been present in Rodey hall.
Possibly one excuse for this lies in
the fact that the hall IS so small that
few people can get in at one time, and
il is unattractivc in all respects. If
commandments and entertainments
are to continue to be held at the uni
versity, the most crying need is a new
auditorium.
But it would be far better for the
city to secure from the state title to
the Armory building, put heat in 1t
and seats, put in a ceiling, build a
stage of proper proportions for it, dec
crate it. stucco it on the outside and
hard-finish it on the inside, thus
making for the city an ample audi
torinm for all occasions. 1t could be
used for university and high school
commandments, and for all conven-
tons that come to the city.
AS it is now, Albuquerque. the CEN
ter of the state and the biggest city
in the state, is handicapped by lack of
an auditorium. In this particular 1T is
outclassed by Santa Fe, Las Vegas,
Roswell, Silver City, Las Cruces and
Clovis.
OF course. the Armory can be used
by placing temporary seats in it and
by using stoves to heat it when the
state educational association meets
here. But such preparations are al
ways expensive and never satisfactory.
If the university is to be made a
success, it must have cooperation in
all the particulars pointed out. If
such cooperation is not given the
state will come, in time not far dis
tant, to regard it as a superfluity.
superfluity.
Another trouble has been lack of
sympathy between the university
people and the people of the city.
Not more than halfdozen members
of the teaching corps are known to
any considerable number of the citi-
zens. The university people should
become a part of the civic life, and
doubtless would do so if given en-
couragement. Those of them who
really have no interest in becoming
factors in the upblding of the city
cannot be regarded as valuable assets
to the university itself. and should be
replaced as quickly as possible.
Students are supposed to be trained
in the university, at the expense of
the taxpayers. to become valuable
citizens. If their teachers show no
interest in public affairs the student
is not likely to get the sort of inspira-
ton that counts most in after life.
HENRY FORD LEARNS THINGS.