The Omaha guide., 1936-10-31
Omaha Uni. Site
Cause of Dispute

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cipal university campus was aug
mented this week as a battle of
petitions and words ensued between
students and patrons of the uni
v%ersity and opponents of the Elm
wood site selected by the regents
Following tn action of the alumni
association in beginning a concert
ed drive for petition signers. the
Central Labor union c%ountered with
a similar move to secure petitioners
in opposition to the selection.
Militant opposition to the selee-
ton.
Militant opposition to the dis
senting factions was manifested
among the student body in a series
of rallies and other moves to stir
sentiment in favor of the regents
choice. A poll conducted by The
Gateway, student publication, show
ed nearly unanimous support of the
campus for the west Dodge location.
The collegians thronged the school
auditrium last Friday morning and
cheered enthusiastically while stu
dent speakers scored the selfish
interests" opposed to the regents
site and answered charges made
against the selection. Determination
70 rally at the city hall on Nov 8,
the date set for the citycouncil's
pronouncement on the question of
annexation. was voiced and students
volunteered to secure petition sign
ers.
Editorial comment in The Gate
way critized Henry Dooley, Fair
acres resident and publisher of the
Wold-Herald for fostering class
distinction by asserting the NUM-
cipal campus would harm a fine
residential section. Half the front
page showed pictures of the site
which was Uttered with unsightly
rubbish, signboards and old lumber
Another meeting was held by the
Alumni association Friday evening
at which more petitions were circu-
lated and a student speakers bureau
to canvass various civic groups was
created. Students told the assembly
that campus sentiment was behind
the regents. and alumni and friends
of the university declared that ac-
ton must be taken to show the city
council that the people of Omaha
were supporting the selection.
Parttime students denied ser
tionsthat work would be j~eopardized
by the new location and declared
themselves heartily in favor of the
site. Other students averred that
failure to agree upon Elmwood site
would ultimately mean a failure to
select any site within the near flu
ture and consequently would OBJ
struct the future development of
the school.
Just a few hours before the al
umni rally, Allen Hupp. secretary
of the Associated Retailers, announ-
ced that Omaha retail merchants
approved the site chosen by the re-
gents.
Meanwhile, nearly half a dozen
different sites have been selected
by the opposing factions Though
disappearing of the selection made
by the regents, the dissenters made
no move to agree upon an alterna-
tive location.
Mayor Butler, favoring a site To-
Gated between Dodge and Farnam
streets from 25th to Park avenue,
declared his intention to vote
against the annexation ordinance
when it is considered Nov. 9th He
declared that he would not be moved
from this decision by petitions or
delegations of citizens.
The site chosen by the mayor
would cost $425 90 according to the
regents who studied the region as
a possibility The Elmwood campus
cost but $45 90. With but 100000
in the university treasury, pur-
chase of the site proposed by the
mayor would delay the beginning
Of the university for several years.
III 100 ol,,b 10 cuDDOrtinO a