The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-09-04

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mercial contracts, it would inevitably
mean long drawn out delay in making
the settlements, and would impose
still further hardship on the colleges,
many of which we're already in des-
perate straits.
an spite of the personal sacrifices
involved every member Of the organ
~ization, with a fine conception OF 10y
atty, remained with the organization
until he had made his full contribu-
ton to the work which it was obvi-
ously the duty of the Department to
complete.
1T was this spirit of loyalty and
the w~hole-hearted cooperation of the
entire personnel of the Department
which made possible the prompt and
successful completion of the work"
One group Of the contracts with the
educational institutions covered the
training in colleges and universities,
which started their academic year in
the fall OF 1918, and a second group
provided for a continuation and en-
largement of the vocational training
spring of 1918; schools and units hav-
ing been added in increasing units dur
ing the summer.
Mr.. Halls report tells the story OF
the settlement of the $50 contracts.
On March /, 245 institutions had fled
their statements or claims, and 1t was
after June / before the last of these
claims were presented. Field forces
were organized to work in connection
with the Department in Washington.
The country was divided into twelve
districts. So rapid was the progress
that 579 settlements were made by
May 81. and the final settlement was
negotiated on June 25.
There were many dark days for the
colleges when they were not only
faced with the suspension of payments
under the Government contracts, but
when it also looked as though they
might lose their students. But the
proverb that ''all is well that ends
WELL" Is again verified. since the Gov
comment has made it adjustments in a
prompt manner, and the records Of
the Department show that the average
return of students as civilians is SO
per cent.
The report says:
"Forty-four institutions had already
received through the routine payments
under their original contracts full re-
endorsement for their costs, and &C,
~cordingly signed cancellation agree
ments and releases for the nominal
consideration of one dollar.
Eight institutions had received pay
ment under their original contracts in
excess of their actual costs, and re-
turned to the Government their re-
spective SURPRISES. amounting in the
aggregate to $S4,729.93.
'"The amounts paid In settlement Of
the balance of the contracts varied
from less than 81. 1000 in some cases to
more than 5000, 900 in others, depend
ing of course in each case largely on
the size Of the unit and the amount
of extra construction and other ex-
t~raordinary expenses"
The summary OF all settlements is
given as follows:
Number OF original contracts, 686;
gross amount paid In settlement, &c..
S~s5.124.57; average settlement per
contract. $~14,424.38: average settle
ment per contract man. $500"
This vast Undertaking OF the Gov
eminent was closed. as the result of
efficient administration. at a cost foi
checking and verifying the claims ano
negotiating the settlements at approx
mately $3.50 per contract. Considering
the vast mount involved. and the
computing Of the training Of the men.
the sum appears to be very small.
The average shows that the men re-
ceived 81 days OF training.
There was paid out under the orig
insi contracts. before the period Of
cancellation Of agreements. $14.956,
lb74.22.
The response Of tho institutions Of
higher education throughout the coun-
'try 70 the Governments call In ls1s.
fN. I|IMN 49,