The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07

tering love for Auburn college, have marked our steps during this trial and testing period of four and one-half years. Today we would be derelect in our duty, unfair to the state that supports Auburn college, untrue and unjust to the young lives who look in the future to a training at Auburn college for high and noble citizenship, if we failed to speak our inevitable, unavoidable and positive convictions, and ask you as representatives and man. agers of this state school to come to and women, as well as the future Au- burn men and women. In brief, the con- clusion of the whole matter is this: Weighed In Balance
 After four and one-half years in testing, training, and supporting Dr. Dowell for this high and exalted posi- tion of president of Auburn college, we have again weighed him in the bal ance and find him wanting. Details are unnecessary. There is a lack of qualifications which neither time nor opportunity can supply.
 "We are not without evidence to SUD- port some just and fair criticism. No man can safely pla further than his vision carries him. On occasions Dr.. Dowlell has failed to rise to the heights belonging to his position in failing neither to have convictions or ill hesi- tating to express them on most vital questions pertaining to Auburn college. Unfortunately, he does not possess in his own heart that innate love for boys, which inspires confidence and love in return.
 "Apburn stands begging for a com mander equal to the best in this land of our; a profound educator and leader of boys as well as men, whose brains, ability and character will command the admiration of the citizens of our state and the profound love and respect of the student body. We need just such a man, and just such a man is available somewhere in these United States of America.
 "We beg you trustees to cooperate with the alumni in devising some plan to get this man in time to begin his reign of authority and progress in the fall of 1925.
 Willing To Pay
 If you answer that such outstanding character will cost more money than the state of Alabama is paying the pres ident of Auburn college or can pay the president of Auburn college, we reply spontaneously and unanimously, and adopt our reply in this resolution: the alumni and Auburn men will pay the difference that may be needed to secure this desired head of our institution, and will hereby make an obligation to carry out this agreement with the trustees of Auburn college for the newt 25 years.
 "We earnestly, but emphatically, re- quest you to respond to this appeal and come to the rescue of the situation at Auburn with immediate action, and avoid another single step backward"
 Members Of Board
 The members of the board of trus- tees of Auburn are: Governor w. w. Brandon, ex-officio Dr. John w. Ab- ercrombie, state superintendent of edu- cation, ex-officio; Dr. w. H. Oates, Mo- bile; Charles Henderson, Troy; c. $. Mcdowell, Eufaula; T. D. Sanford, Opelika; H. D. Merrill, Anniston |, Harry Herzfeld, Alexander City; John A. Rogers, Gainesville; Oliver k. Hood, Gadsden; Charles NJ. Sherrod, Court land; Victor Hanson, Birmingham, and Paul s. Haley, Corona.
 In connection with the question of a special meeting, it was learned that twenty days notice must be given of such a meeting, there being require ment to the effect that the date of such meeting shall be at least twenty days from time notices are sent out to the trustees.
 It developed at the conference that call of special meeting of trustees of Auburn to hear the demand for new president is dependent upon four mem- bers of the board requesting the gov ernor in writing to call the meeting. The law provides that a special meeting of the board shall be called at the writ ten request of any four trustees. Gov ernor Brandon called attention of the alumni delegation to the provision at the conference. So far, no request for called meeting has been received from any trustee, the governor stated. I'm mediate action on the effort to oust Dowell is thus dependent upon whether four trustees will request that a special meeting be called