M4INUTES OF THE BOARD OF T1ZUSTIEZIS



decision. No criticism is intended of the State Officers for their position in this

matter. I think the duty they owe the State, themselves and their bondsmen requires that

they should have the sanction of the Court of Appeals before paying out such large sums

if there be the slightest question of the legality of the Acts under which the payments

are to be made. We have been somewhat inconvenienced by this litigation but we have no

just cause to complain of the prudence of the State's fiscal officers.

     A comparative examination shows that this institution is being conducted with less

expense than other institutions in the country doing the same work, and the per capita

cost of educating students is very much lower than in any similar institution whose records

we have been able to get.

     I have been doing everything in my power to advertise the institution in a way that

will redound most to its good. We have had several successful track meets on the campus,

one of these was held for the benefit of the various High Schools throughout the State,

and a prize was awarded both for athletic skill and excellence in declamation. I am

quite sure that such exhibitions on the grounds of the campus tend to cultivate the good

vi1l of the High Schools from -which we must draw the larger part of our best material. Wle

also held here a Miner's Institute, which was attended by delegates from every coal mine

in the State, It was estimated that there were more than one thousand people in atten-

dance. I have great hopes that such meetings will stimlate young men who are proposing

to engage in the mining business to take a course in our College of Mines and Metallurgy.

     It gives me great pleasure to report that under the able management of Professor

E. L. Gillis the Registrar's office is fast becoming what it should be - a complete

repository of all the facts relating to the student body and the affairs of the University;

whatever information may be desired concerning the students or the University can now be

obtained without the slightest trouble or loss of time. And ve now have through the efforts

of Judge Lafferty, the Business Agent, and Mr. EIVwel Davies, our Auditor, an almost per-

fect system of bookkeeping; there is now assured (issued) monthly, as you know, a balance

sheet showing the exact condition of the financial condition of the institution. Whoever



June 4, 1913