Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-12

Of bill). The bill was delayed in COM
mittee for a sufficient length Of time
to allow the organization Of the 1egis-
lature and the agreement for ell inter-
ests there contained on a compromise
budget. This agreement, in my opin-
ion, tied the legislative hands Of
considerable number Of the Upiversi-
TVS supporters who, had the education
committee been prompt and effective
in it's handling of the bill. would have
been willing to vote for the amount
needed by the University. There Is, in
my opinion. another State official who
participated in the draft Of the bill
which would have completely reorgan-,
lied the trustees Of the University.
but at the present time. not leaving
behind him the official footprints which
made tracking possible. has progressed.
possibly by walking in the water of
political skill. and has thus become
rather a matter Of interesting conjec-
ture in connection with the future than
Of definite importance in the. past.
The Alumni naturally will wish to
know why the bill carrying $S95,000
for general University purposes over
two years. was signed, when on all
sides an official vote was expected. On
this point cannot enlighten them, but
I think that perhaps 1t was the Uni
versity Of Names day, for I am sure
that all concerned will agree. that every
dog has its day.
To sum up-we received from the
legislature an appropriation which in
comparison with those made made in
the past Is generous, but which falls
far short of the needs placed before
that body by carefully supported
budget presented by the board Of trus-
tees. This will mean that at the SIND
Legislature q larger request will have
to be made and again be fought for.
The frankness Of Representative Bar
wise Of Bangor in stating that the
needs Of the University were sub
stantiated by q careful investigation
by the education committee. but that
political suicide for those voting for
the full amount would result, explains
the failure of the present legislature
to go the whole way towards meeting
the situation. In the two years to
come it will be our aim to get full
value for every cent expended and to
present such an improved and active
institution that it will be a source of
pride and qualification to the s2nd
legislature to give that institution
what it needs for full effectiveness. -
The start Of the Memorial Fund
drive. This subject will undoubtedly
appear somewhat superfiuous to those
of you who are here today, and yet
cannot let the present occasion pass
without indicating the general ways in
which it seems to me this matter bears
on the life Of the University AS af-
fecting the undergraduate body. it has
provided the means by which they
have expressed by a magnificent effort
complete trust in the future Of the
University. II has shown that more
than three-fifths Of the amount origi-
rally aimed for has been subscribed by
less than 80 per cent Of the alumni and
former students. This does not in
olude the splendid response from many
friends of the institution. 1t has
shown a need for closer organization
and a common interest for the alumni
body and 1t has made tremendous
strides in the direction Of bringing
about both of these ends. 1t has like
wise served to separate the alumnus or
former student who is ready to take up
arms for his Alma Mater from his
neighbor who is willing to offer advice
and criticism or merely non-co-opera-
tive negligence in place of active sup
port. This is an acid test. and, had
not the committee in Bangor whose
worked together for fulfillment. might
have resulted far less successfully. 1t
appears to me that the eventual sue
cess of the fund is assured and that 1t
will surpass the total amount asked
! for by a considerable sum.
Things move slowly, new policies
| must fight for a considerable period of
| time to keep their head above water.
| but progress is undoubtedly being
| made. Mistakes also are being made
/ by those of us who are trying our best
| to avoid them. The battle is long as
yet and the future will undoubtedly
| contain many unpleasant surprises as
| we'll as some that are pleasant. l feel
| that the present is the time to unite
in pledging ourselves anew to the fu-
ture greatness of the Institutional
greatness which because of our hopes
! and aims can never completely be at
tanned. but for which We should never
cease to strive.
Following the banquet, alumni
| motion pictures were shown in the
chapel and music was provided for
| dancing in the gymnasium.