The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-07
Times Readers Voice Their Views

Editor Times-Democrats and Re-
publicans in the next legislature
should remember that the control
ling issues of the last campaign were
economic and the "upsets" were a
protest against waste, extravaganza,
and excessive taxes. Another pro
test" will come in two years if relief
is not given.
When there is so much unemploy-
ment, such a slump in business and
farm products, the lowest in twenty
years, it seems preSumptious, the
height Of folly, to talk increased
public expenditures. And yet every
state institution is holding up it's
hands for more money for press
ing needs"
A lot of these needs" are for new
power plants" Some promoters
are trying to work" the state for
some patent" system, when the old
plant is good for years. And now
comes Purdue university and asks
for an increase of a million dollars
over the last appropriation. These
theoretical educators seem to believe
that money grows on trees. I am
not opposed to education. I want
all the children to have the best
training possible. 1 have helped
dozen students get through college.
But decidedly am opposed to the
waste and extravaganza in our
schools from the township to the
universities. Look at the budget of
Purdue. For the next two years
Purdue asks for 1891 ,688 for 'Spe-
ciaP' expenditures in lands and
buildings. And yet four years ago
the four state schools got a special"
tax levy of 2 cents to run for ten
yearS-amounting in ten years to
$15,000,000 for building purposes"
This levy was granted on the pro-
viSo that it was lin lieu" of all 'spe-
cial appropriations for building pur-
poses for ten years. Why this de-
mand now for more? The agricul-
tural experiment and experimental
departments are asking $150,000
more. This is for the purpose of
sending lot of young theoretical"
men out over the state to teach the
farmers how to set hen or raise
pig.
Farmers know more about their
work than the travelling agents"
and walking delegates" of this in
stitution. Purdue was established
by the national government in 1870
as an agricultural college" and If
managed as such the federal ap-
preparations would support it. But
it wants to teach everything under
the sun.
Of the 4,544 students now enrolled
only 395 are in the school of agri-
culture. Let us open the books. The
annual report of Purdue for the
year ended Sept. 80, 1929, shows
total expenditures of $5,023, 484. 81.
Taking present enrolment of 4,544,
this means an average Of $1,100 q
student a year.
Of this amount $195, 647.47 was
spent for athletics. Among the
items was $6,168.83 for competition
expenses" Was that for buying
football players? Iowa university
was outlawed for that practice. The
budget committee has a sacred and
important duty to perform. Too
often such committees are packed"
for special interests, like the state
schools. Their work is more per-
functory than accurate or practical.
When they visit the institutions
they are Toasted, toasted, and
blinded so they can't give a
thorough and careful Investigation.
The biggest waste is in the payroll.
This should be scrutinized vigor-
ously.
If there ever was q time for the