Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-06
TO ABANDON
MEDICAL SCHOOL.
WITH june Term
Bowdoin Heads Word
Following Legisla-
tive Action
Garcelon-Merritt Fund Used
to Maintain Medical School
May Be Made Available as
Scholarships for Maine Boys
Fund Not to be Used by
College Itself
Especial to Kennebec JournaD

Especial to Kennebec JournaD
Brunswick, Maine April Upon
learning of the action of the State
Legislature in concurring with Cover
nor Bakers veto of the medical
school BILL President Kenneth c. NJ
Sills of Bowdoin college this evening
issued the following statement re-
garding the position of Bowdoin col
lege and possible action that may be
taken in regard to the income from
the GarceIon- Merritt Fund which is
now used by the Bowdoin medical
school:
1.-THE action of the Legislature of
the State OF Maine in concurring
with Governor Bakers veto of the
Medical School bill makes it probable
that Maine will have no Medical
School after June Of this year. The
position of Bowdoih college was that
on account of the great increase in
the cost of medical education it could
not longer maintain the. medical
school credftably and that it was
therefore obliged to return tothe State
the management and direction of this
school. The college, mainly on ac-
count of certain provisions in its char
ter was not willing to apply for State
aid and probably for the same reason
could not have accepted such aid
hnn,N off l<.x
was not responsible for the bill nor
did it take any part in the discussion
except to indicate it's Willingness to
assist the State in the establishment
of the school by offering buildings,
equipment and apparatus if the Legis-
lature believed that the maintenance
of the school was proper State func-
ton. Personally l favored the bill,
and on Monday sent Governor Baxter
telegram urging him to sign it,
There has apparently been some mis-
understanding with regard to the in
come of the Garcelon- M erritt fund
now used by the medical school AS I
endeavored to make clear at the hear
! ing in Augusta the disposition of the
income of that fund in the event of
the closing of the school will rest en-
entirely with the courts and prior to
the decision of the courts neither the
college nor anybody else can tell how
the fund is to be used However the
college will very probably and to be
allowed from the income of this fund
to establish certain medical scholar
ships for Maine boys who would thus
have an opportunity perhaps other
wise denied to them of studying med
icine. Holders Of such scholarships
might also be required to return to
Maine for period to practice in the
smaller communities. 1t is possible
that 10 men might hold reasonably
large scholarships each year an ar
rangement that would make availa-
bic four physicians year. The sug-
gestlon current in some quarters that
the college wished to use this fund
for it's own academic work is entire
ly erroneous This statement is issued
to correct misapprehension and to
make clear to the people of the State
that unless aid is received from unex-
pected quarters the medical school
will finally close it's doors in June
(SigneD KENNETH c. NJ. STILLS
President, Bowdoin College.