The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-02-01

removal of the University Of Missis-
sippi from Oxford to jackson, and
authorizing an appropriation Of 81,
100000 for the erection Of suitable
buildings, on condition that the city
of Jackson subscribe a bonus Of $780,
900.
A similar bill will be placed on the
House calendar by Representative
Sheldon of Washington county, and
thus opens what promises to be the
most notable fight of the legislature
session.
Opposition is expected, of course,
not only from Oxford, but from Stark
vile and Columbus as well, for the
plan framed by the two lawmakers
contemplates a consolidation of the
three institutions, the University of
Mississippi, the Agricultural and Me-
chanical College, and the Industrial
Institute and College, under one man
agement, portion Of the work now
being done at Starkville ard Columbus
to be abandoned, and hereafter car
ried on in the University.
State Normal for Oxford.
The plan further provides that the
University Of Mississippi buildings
and grounds at Oxford be used as a
State Normal College after the new
university is built in Jackson. 1t is
estimated that two years will be need
ed to erect the necessary buildings
here.
Proposition is Submitted
This afternoon committee repre-
senting the city Of Jackson and the
county of Kinds, went before joint
meeting of the House and Senate COM
mittees on Universities and Colleges
and pledged a bonus Of $5O0,OOO for
the university, on condition that the
legislature appropriate S1,5oO,OOO for
the new educational plant. The COM
mittee further expressed a willingness
to coutiune the sans fstie jliHt as
high as the Legislature is willing to
go. In other words, if the law
makers are willing to start Off with a
$3,OO0,O00 appropriation, the county
and city will put up $l,O0O,00O, The
committee is composed of Mayor w.
A. Scott, President J. w. Tucker of
the Board of Trade; President Lamar
Puryear, Of the Kinds county board
of supervisors; President Edward
Yerger of the Rotary Club, and Presi-
dent J. Y. Downing, Of the Kiwanis
Club
Appropriations Held Up.
All appropriation bills for the three
big educational institutions have been
held up awaiting the introduction of
the Zeller bill and an expression Of
willingness on the part Of Jackson to
make a substantial offer for the insti-
tuition.
In event the proposition is accepted
it means that very little in the way OF
appropriations will be made at this
session for new buildings at Oxford,
Columbus or, Starkville. Otherwise
the demand for permanent improve
ments totaling over $2,O00,OO0 will be
granted, in part, at least.
Students Want to Come
Senator Zeller, author Of the bill,
has received from the University the
result of straw vote taken on the
question of removing the institution
to Jackson.
More than 400 students took part,in
the election, and of this number over
800 voted for removal, and about 100
against it, A large number of the
students opposing removal are sons
or daughters of Oxford citizens.
Water Poor at Oxford
The plan of removal is earnestly adj
vocated by Hon. W. G. Trotter, of
Winona, a member Of the general
board Of trustees of higher education
al institutions having supervision of
the University. Mr.. Trotter is an ole
Miss graduate, and he firmly believes
that Mississippi can never have a
university worthy of the name until
it is built on bigger, better and
broader foundation and at no more adj
vantageous location.
One of the several strong reasons
suggested by Mr.. Trotter for the pro-
posed removal is the water condition
at Oxford. The supply on the cam
pus is exceedingly scarce, and very
stiff price is being paid to the town
of Oxford for water supply.
81 think it would be great thing
for the state and for the University
if it is removed to Jackson says
Mr.. Trotter.
Fifty-Fifty Basis
A meeting of the municipal commits
sion, the Kinds county board of sup