Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-02-04
THE NORMAL UNIVERSITY FIRE,

Providence has taken a hand in supplying odded
reasons why there should be a special session the
legislature called by the governor at once. The
main building of the Normal University at Las
Vegas burned If the school can continue at all 1t
will be under conditions so unfayorable that eff
eent work cannot be done.
The legislature does not meet in regular session
for a year Another year must elapse thereafter,
before building can be completed. In the mean
time no adequate provision can be made by the
board of regents. The few thousands Of dollars
which it will cost the legislature to meet Will be
offset by the tens of thousands Of damage to our
school system and the complete wrecking Of our
school program in the state which is bound to fol-
low an inadequate, half-bakod and delayed program
of rehabilitation.
The treasurers office needs the immediate atten-
ton of the legislature. The treasurer should be i'm
peached.
, The governor believes that the 1915 Finance
ACommittee law is inadequate and uncertain. This
H. his excuse for failing to function under it.
Thereby state funds imperiled. He has APP
pointed a commission which he hopes will justify
his course by declaring it inadequate. Such dec
laration would accomplish nothing. We need
remedial legislation instead of justification for
inacton. A special session may enact proper law
il the governor regards the present one as made
quate.
The law governing state audts is wholly made
expenditure of their money. Waste. extravaganza,
or even theft are easy of accomplishment under the
present system.
Plenty Of reasons already existed for call of
the legislature An imperative one is now added.
Our most serious educational problem in New
Mexico is properly trained teachers. Without them
progress is hopeless. Our only remedy for this
short coming is our normal schools This great
school, in the heart of the country where our need
is the most imperative, must not cripple along for
couple of years for want of proper housing merely
10 prevent special session OF the legislature
Speaking of the fire at Las Vegas, searching
investigation of the cause should be conducted at
once. 1t may have been and probably unavoid-
able. 1t is strange. however, that defective fue
should cause a fire at hour when the fires are
presumably banked for the night
janitor was recently arrested there for vio-
laton of the prohibtory laws against the manufac-
ture and sale of liquor. 1t was intimated that he
was selling liquor to the students. Our latest
information is that he has not been discharged.
This may have been done without our learning of
it. However. the circumstance is sufficient to
the proper officials to look diligently into what
going on in the building which might have occa-
stoned the fire.
The Journal has no desire to be sensational or
to make any il-founded charges. We frankly state
that we have no "inslde dope" as to the origin of
this fire. careful investigation may be for the
moral health of the school though it fails to
explain the cause of the fire. court of inquiry
is certainly highly proper
We believe that more important institution
to the state exists than the Normal University. We
must have it. with unmpaired usefulness This will
be impossible without meeting of the legislature.