The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-02-06
fight FOR $4,000
!. DRAWS HARD RAPS
FOR SCHOOL HEADS.
Motion to Kill Legislation
Lost, 20 to 20, After
Bitter Discussion
PREPARING CURB ON BOARD
State Administrators to Be
Hauled Up in Practice Of
Ignoring Limits of Cash

A fight which has been raging In
the senate appropriations committee
came to the floor Tuesday when the
committee recommended passage of a
bill appropriating $l61 900 to complete
the liberal arts building at the state
university at Grand Forks.
A motion by William Watt, Cass
county. to kill the bill failed, 20 TO 20,
after the most extended argument
which the senate has seen at this
session.
Watt led the battle against the
measure. He pointed out that the
board Of administration had told the
house appropriations committee at
the last session, OF which Watt was
then member. that building could
be constructed and put In disable
shape for the $225, 1000 appropriated
In 1927. The committee also had been
assured, Watt said, that the building
could be constructed in two units.
Instead the board began the con-
struction of building calculated to
cost more than $35OOOO intending to
ask the legislature for additional
funds with which to complete the Job.
Objects to Principle
1t was the principle involved, Watt
said. to which he objected, declaring
that 1t amounted to having the leQis-
lature overridden by university auth
critics and the board OF administra-
ton. which manages all state educa.
tional institutions. He suggested that
the bill be killed and funds provided
IN the university budget to make the
building disable.
- Watt denied animosity toward any
person or institution but objected to a
state board putting the legislature in
position where it is forced to do
something whether it wishes to do so
or not. He charged that heads OF edu-
cational institutions have formed the
habit for asking for Everything in
sight without regard to the interests
OF taxpayers and that the time has
come when the taxpayers interest
must be considered. ''They haven't
had much from the board managing
these institutions" he said, and added
the time has come when we must
say whether the educational institute
lions belong to the state or the state
belongs to the educational institu-
tions."
w. s. Whitman, Grand Forks.
author of the bill. said only three
members Of the appropriations COM
lnittee opposed the bill after long
argument in committee.
Dell Patterson, Renville county. said
the question was not what the board
OF administration had done or
whether it was right or wrong but
whether the building should be out
IN shape to use.
Hamilton Urges Economy
Dave Hamilton, McHenry county.
agreed with the principles for which
watt was contending but said he did
not want to take his opposition out
on the students. He attacked the
idea OF board or group OF profess
SorS overriding the will OF the leris.
lature but said the building, on which
$4,000 has been expended, cannot
PC used now and that 1t would be
economy to take advantage OF the
option, secured by the board OF adj
n1inistration from the contractor. and
finish 1t at once.
J. e. Eastgate, Grand Forks COUNTY
suggested that II the students who
are getting no benefit from attending
the university were eliminated there
would be more room at the institu.
ton and less need for buildings. watt
renewed his contention that the mat
ter could be handled in q different
way.
Defending the board, Whitman
said 1t either had to do as It did or
else do nothing. Attendance It the
university has doubled in 10 years
ana the building is badly needed. he
said. =
Called Poor Business
Ole Ettestad. McFIenry county. said
e Is poor business to leave the build
ing unfinished but that the law
should be amended to compel state
boards and departments to stav
within the appropriations made Tor
specific purposes.
r. w. Patten, Mountrail county
said the expenses Of the universitv
have more than doubled In 10 years
and that the passage Of the bin would
create bad precedent from which
the state would suffer.
a W. Fowler. Cass county. agreed
With opponents Of the bin In prin-
c1ple but said that was being cared
G6e In another hill 1irnitisacr ~. 1900.