Gunnison news-champion., 1924-02-08
TWO STONG CHARLES
SETTLED BY BOARD

In letter 20 the governor, the
State Board OF Normal Trustees dis
cusses some Of the recent charges By
Auditor Stong and Budget Commits
sioner Cassaday and certainly settles
some of them in the minds of the pub
lie, not only taking full responsibility
itself, but declares there is no foun-
danon for the alleged charges in the
first place II anyone imagines there
has been anything TO the Stong-Cas-
aday talk but plain political and per-
sonal spite this should disabnse his
mind.
January Is 1924.
To Governor VIM. F. Sweet,
Executive Chamber,
Capitol Bldg Denver, Colo,
Dear Sir
On December 81, at the regular
meeting of the Board of Trustees of
The Western State College at Gunni-
son, You placed in our hands a COM
munication you had received from
Budget Commissioner Mr.. Harry Cas-
saday and the State Auditor, Mr.. A.
VI. Stong This communication con-
tanned criticisms directed against Mr..
Samuel Quigiey, president of the in
stitution, and were classified under
three distinct heads. Permit US to
make the following comments.
We recognize Messrs. Casaday and
Stong and their staff of co-workers as
conscientious and efficient officials, of
the State; and any criticisms they
deem wise to make after their inves-
LEGATIONS must be given serious con-
sideration and needed.
The dormitory, that was constructed
during war times. they denounee as a
fire trap and an utter waste of the
states money The construction of
this building had the unanimous ap-
pruval of the Board of Trustees at the
time; and, therefore, il there was a
misuse of funds, the blame must rest
upon the Board of Trustees and not
upon Mr.. Quigley.
The building was an absolute neces-
sity. Our funds were limited. We
built portions at n time. The first
unit had TO be constructed in the space
of six weeks. II accommodates 40
students. II cost-completely furn-
ished-s6S, 900. This is about one
half the usual investment in the hous-
ing of similar number Of students.
II is not fire proof building, but it
is not fire trap. The term "fire
trap" is usually applied to build
ing that, should il catch on fire, the
occupants would have little chance to
escape. This is but two-story build
ing. The windows of the second-story
rooms are so low that anyone can
escape by dropping from the windows
without risk. In fact, fire drills have
Lan, 81 that i,-.nt,-al h7f
method of escape to demonstrate its
feasibility Three main stairways
serve the second floor; one at each end
and one at the center of the building.
Fire gongs are installed; fire drills are
ways on duty; abundant fire ex-
heating plant is one hundred yards
insurance on this building is issued at
ary two-story residences in Gunnison.
which is evidence that the very best
authorities, fire underwriters, do not
consider this building n hazard.
We believe that the young ladies
housed in this building are well safe
guarded; that the building is render
iHR lIlulsDeIlSaDit stTflCt dS
dormitory and cafeteria, not obtain
able in any other way; and that the
cost of the structure, considering war
times and the difficulties of building
at any time in Gunnison, was not ex-
cessive.
The construction of portion of our
main building, referred to as college
Hall, has been criticised. We placed
this building program in the hands
OF the most expert and experienced
architects obtainable. We advertised
for bids for the construction of the
portion that we were able at the time
to finance. The contract was given to
the lowest bidder-Messrs. Seerie &
Varnum, contractors of Denver, than
whom there is no more reliable or re-
putable firm in our state. The first
story of this building was completed
and has been constantly in use since
its completion. II gives US an audit
orium seating eight hundred people,
sufficient space for our gymnasium in
physical education, and six recitation
rooms. Without these accommoda-
tions, it seems that it would be
impossible to carry on our school
program. This portion of the build
ing with its equipment cost US ap-
proximately $4,000. 1t was an un-
usually expensive portion of the build
ing to construct, because the founda-
tion had to be hewn out of solid rock;
and that rock was about as nom
workable as is ever found We fully
expect to be able to complete the
structure with the rest of our assur-
ed building fund as it accumulates.
Since this project was carried on in
the only business-like method 10 pur-
sue and was endorsed by the unanim-
ous vote Of the Board Of Trustees, it
seems inappropriate to place any
criticism upon Mr.. Quigley, for this
expenditure Of funds. Again the