The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-15
NEEDS Of AUBURN
ARE OUTLINED BY
PRES|DENTD0WELL
Issue Put Up To People Of
State In Annual Report
To Trustees


be recreant to duty If he should fail
to put the issue of a Greater Au-
burn squarely up to the people of Ala
bama and to their properly delegated
representatives and that he is unwill-
ing to accept the responsibility for
the continuance of the present situa-
ton that confronts the college in its
lack of buildings and proper equip
ment without strong protest. DR..
Spright Dowell, president of Alabama
Polytechnic institute, describ es
graphically the needs at Auburn in
his annual report submitted Monday
morning to the Auburn board Of
trustees.
On the general proposition Of the
needs of Auburn" DR.. Dowell de-
clares. Il desire to speak frankly
and honestly. Our recent drive for
funds was designed primarily to let
the people of the state know the
conditions and needs Of the institu-
ton and secondarily to secure some
needed relief in the way of build
ings and equipment. The time has
now come when we must either say
that Auburn shall be a great institu-
ton or that it shall be a second rate
institution.
Situation Called DepIOrable.
Il am unwilling to accept the re-
sponsibility for the continuance of
the present deplorable situation that
confronts the college without the
strongest protest l can honorably
make. Living as l do at the very
center of the area of greatest stress,
and undernourished condition of all
our departments, and conscious too
that all this isNas unnecessary is 1t
is upwise on the part of the great
state of Alabama, feel that l would
be recreant to duty IL l should fail
to put the issue of a Greater Au-
burn squarely up to the people of
Alabama and to their properly dele
gated representatives. Traditions and
sentiment and reputation are fine.
but we live in progressive and
dynamic world and we must either go
forward or go down.
1t Is stated in the report also
that Auburn has been admitted dur
ing the current year to full member
ship in the Southern Association of
Colleges. This. it is further pointed
out, gives stamp of approval of
the highest standardzing agency in
the country to the only institution of
it's kind as recognized in the south.
In this connection DR.. Dowell points
out that Auburn will not be able to
retain it's membership in the Asso-
citation of Colleges without addition
al funds or reduction of force mar
rowing the sphere of work and limit
ing attendance.
Attendance Record Set.
The attendance on the college
proper for the current year" DR.
Dowell states, has been the largest
in the history of the institution. De-
tailed information Is contained in the
statistics which are appended. The
fact that should give you most con-
Germ as you examine them is our in
ability to accommodate any more
students until the state provides ad-
ditional funds Not only is Auburn
one of the most meagerly financed
institutions of its kind in the coun'
try, but it has an inseperable handi'
cap in that it is situated in a village
which has already opened up its ev
cry home to students. The town /.
overlooking and there can be ne
further influx of students until ad
ditional quarters are provided. Moth
ing Is more repugnant to an institu'
ton of such democratic habits anc
ideals as Auburn than to see students
turned away yearly for lack of facil-
tiles If there were no higher appeal
the mere economic advantage thai
would come to the state from provid-
ing adequate facilities at Auburn
ought to awaken every patriotic citi-
zen of the state to sense of his
absolute obligation to see that the
legislature makes it possible for ev-
cry student who desires to do so anc
is qualified to come here.
The college has reached an i'm
passe, not only in housing POSSIBLE
tiles, but also in facilities for teach
ing. Our class rooms are crowded
our equipment Is limited. and the
load per teacher, both as to hours
nt.I har tc orr n
than any wise notion of economy
justifies. We are not only unab BILE tc
employ the necessary number of mer
to do the work but we shall fine
it increasingly difficult to hold and
TO attract the men who are qualified
for the ever-expanding work Auburn
must do if it is to be done at all
men who have served the college s,
long and we'll. They have lived or
faith, many of them, for these years
Some have received their reward ir
another world. Has not the time
come when Alabama will do her plair
duty?'
Democratic Attitude Prevails.
DR.. Dowell refers to Auburn's
democracy. Auburn" he states lis
further differentiated from most in
situations by the wholesome demo
CIdtic attitude winch perVdueS II
There are no distinctions to be dis
covered except those founded or
ability and character. Family
means, clothes, and like copsidera-
tions have no false values placed
upon them here.
Referring to the extension service
which he characterizes as the third
type of work in which Auburn
engages. DR.. Dowell states that there
is not county in the state, how
ever remote. in which the college is
not performing some service.
1T Is quite natural" he says, re-
ferring further to the extension serv-
Ice. that in work of such immense
proportions some misunderstanding
even friction, should arise, and it Is
inevitable that within SO large an
organization there will always be
some who make mistakes. 1t may
sometimes become necessary to ac-
cept the resignation or this or that
individual and to decline to give posi-
tons to those who seek employ
ment.
Without the organization there
will always be those who would like
to use the machinery and influence
or the extension service for selfish
or personal ends. Evep in the faithful
discharge of duty there will of neces-
sity be some difference in points
w" anu Al the CoTIcspohuih F
Judgments. Such things are mere in
cidents and are common to all really
going concerns. 1t is the policy of
the entire college organization TO
give the highest quality of service
possible with the resources at its
command. Friendly and construc-
tive criticism is always welcomed.
The rank ands file of the people of
Alabama. particularly those who have
lived here long enough to have a
genuine and unselfish interest in its
welfare, have learned to regard Au-
burn as its foremost agency for the
development of the agricultural and
industrial resources of the state"
o O O
Fraternity Row Planned.
1t is further stated in the report
that plans have been formulated for
fraternity row in the open space
between the main campus and the