The Evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1917-1920, 1920-05-21

Legislative appropriation is suspend
ed by a mill-tax or by income from
lands or mineral properties, the 81
tuation is not SO stringent. But ever
there. salaries are not much above the
leverage, save in those cases in which
the competition for notable men has
become keen: and large outlays in
behalf Of the student-body or the elf.
mination of matriculation, incident.
al, library, hospital, and laboratory
fees are unknown.
| The notion that private benefac.i ,ns
would exert an unwholesome influence
on state universities is likewise incar-
rect. The time is past when don ,rs
might have wished to dominate the
policies of their beneficiaries. The
larger endowed universities remain
academically Independent, in SO far
as the givers are concerned: and 1t
IS conceivabeable that any state uni
versity should be forced to surrender
or to curtail its liberty of action
through the acceptance Of private
gifts. In the long run, any educa-
tional legacy becomes simply a mem
ofial. If it is offered under terms
with which self-respecting uniyer-
sity could not comply. it has always
De refused. The unity of thought and
Ideals which marks the universities
as a whole. the cosmopolitan charac-
ter Of their faculties, and the non
sectarian and non-partisan nature of
the student-body are ample protection
against individual encroachment.
The dangers involved in private
benefactions become absolutely nil IL
It is mderstoOdthey cannot be applied
as salaries or as increases in salary;
for, in my humble opinion, university
boards of government and university
executives would be the first to de-
cline gifts so offered, and they would
in this position receive the cordial
support of the peoplesof the state. 1t
is not in this direction that private
gifts should be encouraged. The le-
Ultimate province of private aids lies
In promoting scholarship, in assisting
students, in furnishing equipment
which the university cannot yet pro-
cure, in presenting libraries, in erect
ing dormitories, students unions.
gymnasiums and the like. The field
Tor private giving to state universi-
ties is wide, and the good which may
be accomplished is incalculable. The
fact that the custom has not taken
root is no evidence as to its desirable
ity. There is no obstacle against its
becoming a common and. fayorite
practise among patriotic and well-te-
do citizens of the state.
A concrete example will show most
effectively. how private -benefactions
have broadened the scope of a parti-
state university and enriched its Ia
eilities, while avoiding conflict with
the functions of the legislative body
in its capacity as the purveyor of edu-
cational income
Tnree names stand out conspicuous
iy among the well-wishers of the Uni
versity of Missouri. The Rollins fami-
ly, OF Columbia, Missouri, Charles r.
Gregory, of st. Louis, and Ward An
drew Neff. of Kansas City, have mod
estly performed services of high mer-
1t to the university and to its stud
ents which may profitably be taken
TO the heart of persons of means in
terested in the progress of similar
state institutions. There have never
arisen in connection with their bene-
factions any question of appropria-
teness or Of political or personal in
fluence. Their gifts have been ac-
cepted gladly in the cordial and dis
interested spirit with which they have
made.
The history of the University OF
Missouri cannot be written without a
chapter on the Rollins family. The
establishment of the university was
principally due to a Rollins, and its
welfare has always been watched ov-
er by some member of the family.
More specifically, the Rollins family
has founded six scholarships as a re-
cognition of merit and character,
made available a fund which now
to about $4,000 "for the
purpose of educating such INDECENT
youths of Boone County. both male
and female, as might beunable to edu-
cate themselves" and beautified the II
athletic property of the university.
OF these enterprises the first two i
would never have been realized
through the state treasury, and the
third would have been delayed for
years.
Mr.. Neff's gift has taken the form
of a splendidly equipped structure
FOR the housing Of the School of Jour-
naltsm. 1t has the distinction of II
hQiDO tho fret h,,;11;nD A. Ty-:x III