The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1921-02-24
sioux FALLS
PRESENTsPET|T|ON
REPRESENTATIVES, Of CHAM
BIER OF COMMERCE SUBMIT
CLAIMS FOR STATE UNI
FERSITY.

present al the Merchan g. associa-
ton offices last evening To hear a
discussion on the advantages to be
gained by the removal of the state
university fro myermillion, the pre-
sent location, TO Sioux Falls.
The flying squadron chamber of
commerce consisted of John w.
Walden, chairman and principal
spokesman. w. l. Thompson, for
many years resident of this place.
and h c. Hagen, bona fide booster
Tor anything Sioux Falls goes after.
These gentlemen cordially met the
business men and propounded TO
them the big move made by Sioux
taIls to profit by a political mistake
that occurred when the state was
Dew and when small attention was
given 10 the matter of placing state
institutions.
DIR. Walden al the outset of the
meeting last evening stated sue
cinctly that his party were not pres
ent 10 hear any arguments bur sim
ply To present petitions which ii
was hoped would be freely signed
asking that the state legislature
frame referendum ON the matter
/ of the removal of the university and
present same 10 4 vote OF the people
TOr the general election OF 1922
The speaker expanded an the adj
Vantages Sioux Falls had 90 offer BIZ
reading booster folder gotten up
TO convince the people of the state
that their university had been mis-
located. The arguments in the fol-
der centered upon Sioux Falls as a
metropolic and point where a grow
ing state institution might more
closely come into contact with an in
dustrial, civic, social. legal and mu-
sical environment where every phase
OF activity would correlate with uni
versity work. Accessibility and the
possibility OF retaining many stu
dents who might attend higher in
stitutions of learning in surrounding
states were held out as an import
ant reason for considering Sioux
Falls as the logical bidder for the
university
Attorney H. Il Holdridge opposed
the proposed change Of location for
several reasons, namely, Sioux Falls
has selfish aim in the matter; a two
million dollar university at Sioux
Falls would have the effect of weak
ing, and perhaps finally abolishing
our normal school here in Madison;
Sioux Falls would hold out every at
tractiye inducement TO build up her
institutions irrespective of the inter
ests and prospects OF smaller schools
nearby; the initial expense connect
ed with the proposed change would
be heavy burden to the taxpay-
ers of the state. Mr. Holdridge con-
fessed he was now and all the time
in favor of protecting the growth
and interests of the Madison normal.
Attorney Urdahl thought that the
tendency in such a change would be
highly detrimental to the normal
that draws the majority OF its stu
dent body from the counties between
this place and Sioux Falls He fav-
ored Aberdeen as the logical place
for a university such as had been
proposed for Sioux Falls since the
place was not only more accessible
but Offered much more in the way
of clinics. etc, for university de-
partment correlation.
Mr.. Fairchild expressed himself
as being more fully convinced that
the citizens of Madison should not
only oppose the move made by
Sioux Falls, but boost all the more
vigorously for our own local insti-
tuition.
Miss Wilkin thought Sioux Falls
Offered splendid advantages TO stu
dents of the medical departments
but would not commit herself to
fayoring a change OF location for the
university
Mr.. Schultz and others not above
mentioned spoke ON the proposition
but prevailing sentiment seemed to
be against any removal of the states
highest institution of learning. How
ever. the boosters. from Sioux Falls
placed petitions for the referendum
in the hands of several persons who
viii endeayor TO secure as many
signers as possible.
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