The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-08-19

northern and eastern counties.
Most of the time every one of
Montana's Sc counties is represented
at these two big schools.
But there is an even more disturb
ing statement in Havre's pamphlet.
Havre is only asking, it says, "a
small portion of the money that
northern and eastern Montana alone
have contributed over all the years
since the first education institutions
were established in Montana"
Garry that argument to its logical
extension, and what does it mean?
Could not Dillon, the oldest insti-
tuition and center of the original
Montana population, demand with
equal justice that it be compensated
for all the taxes Beaverhead county
has paid since the 70's-long before
Havre was ever heard of? Could
not the biggest and most heavily in
dustrialized counties with the broad
est tax base demand with equal JUS
tice that Northern Montana College
be abolished and new schools estab-
lished in their areas to take over its
function? Or, for that matter,
would not those of us who are not |
parents have the right to demand re-
funds of that portion of our taxes
which goes to pay for the education
of other peoples children?
Are Conquering SectionaIism
Montana has been sadly handi-
capped throughout its history by the
physical barrier of the Rocky Noun
aims and the sectionalism this has
,aused. But modern transportation
md communication have been con-
Iuering this barrier. The process is
low, but eastern Montanans and
western Montanans gradually are
earning to know each other better.
We must not now establish a new
'arrier, such as the Missouri river,
nd create new section which will
ay, in effect: owe want big Uni !
-ersity because Missoula has one,
nd big College because Bozeman
las one, and big government hos |:
'ital because Helena has one" and !
o forth.
Even under the ALLEGATION recon-
lended by the Board of Education,
Iorthern Montana College would :
ave had $50 square feet of space {
er student, whereas Missoula and !,
ozeman would have had only 1873 u
Iuare feet. The minimum space
recommended by the Presidents Il
commission on Higher Education, b
fter thorough study by experts, is a
$3.50 even under the original plan u
avre would have had twice as much |
pace as it needed for it's enrolment X
nd the two biggest schools would II
ave had somewhat less than they III
eeded. Sc
The new ALLEGATION by the Exami- K
ers cuts the University to Ill p
Iuare feet, the State College to II
% = and gives Havre 391 square u
let per student. ia
This just doesn't make sense. II
iven this plant, Havre will clamor 81
n the custodians to take care of it, IN
e students to fill it, and the staff m
teach the students. Meanwhile m
e students at Bozeman and Mis- th
ula-including the large segment
hose homes are in northern Mon
lose heart. What of the We
w buildings they have been prom in
I'd? What about the decrepit IL til
airy at the State College, without as
en- building of it's own; or the is
fees and classrooms and even a it
eater at the State University, in ne
orld War | shacks, without toilets? M
Missoula's music school, in a bar X
cks designed for prisoners of war? list
What is the effect of this on the 10
W and promising faculty member re-
10 is induced to come to the Uni af
rsity or College? He sees educa- trt
nal needs ignored, sees buildings his
itributed as political plums on a ed
.tional basis. How about the KIN
thful older professor who has i'll;
tied years for decent classroom va
a decent office? ins
What, Not Where, College Is, ia
Is Important ale
A college is not just something a
tie contributes to improve business W
L