Creator: Offices of Board of Trustees and President

Subjects: Administration, Board of Trustees, BOT Minute Books

Date: 1899

Format: Text/pdf

Original Format: Paper, microfilm

Resource Identifier: MINUTES 1899.pdf

Collection Number: UA 1

Language: English

Rights Management: Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by Michigan State University and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Contributing Institution: Offices of Board of Trustees and President; University Archives & Historical Collections; MATRIX

Contributor: Offices of Board of Trustees and President

Text File: Download

Transcript: Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes – 1899

[Begin page 248]

Board Meeting Jan'y 25 – 1899

Board met at the College Wednesday evening,
January 25th, at 7:30 p.m.

Pres. Messrs. Monroe, Bird, Marston, Pres. Snyder
Governor Pingree and the Secretary.

Vice-president Monroe in the chair. Minutes of last
meeting read and approved.

[Secy's Accounts]
Mr. Monroe of the committee to examine Secretary's accounts
reported that they had examined the books and accounts
of the Secretary, with the State Accountant and were
waiting for his report, and asked further time.
Report accepted and time granted.

On motion, adjourned sine die.

[End page 248]

[Begin page 249]

New Board met.

Present Governor Pingree, Pres. Snyder, Messrs. Monroe,
Bird, Marston, Marsh, Watkins and the Secretary.

On motion, Mr. Monroe was elected chairman.

[Election of Pres. Marston]
On motion Thomas F. Marston was elected President
of the Board for two years.

The following, offered by Mr. Marston, was adopted:

[Election of
Sec'y. Bird.]
Resolved. That A.C. Bird is hereby elected to the
position of Secretry of the State Board of Agriculture
Secretary of the Agricultural College and Secretary of
the Experiment Station, for a period of two years,
beginning the last Wednesday in February 1899 and
ending the last Wednesday in February 1901, at a salary
of eighteen hundred dollars ($1800.) per year and house.


The following was adopted:

[Election of
Treas. Davis]
Resolved. That B.F. Davis is hereby elected Treasurer
of the State Board of Agriculture and of the Agricultural
College for a period of two years, beginning the last
Wednesday in February 1899 and ending the last
Wednesday in February 1901, with the understanding that
he is to allow the College 2½% on daily balances
until otherwise agreed upon.

[Bonds of
Pres. & Sec'y.]
The amount of bonds to be given by the Secretary
and Treasurer was left with the President of the
Board and the Finance Committee.

The Secretary reported that two copies of a bill
for appropriations for the College had been prepared.

The President-elect took the chair.

[Election of
E.P. Allen]
On motion, E.P. Allen of Ypsilanti was elected
a member of the Board to fill vacancy created by
the election of A.C. Bird as Secretary.

[End page 249]

[Begin page 250]

[Degree of M.S.
conferred upon
J.W. Toumey]
Pres. Snyder reported recommendation of the Faculty
that the Degree of Master of Science by conferred upon
J.W. Toumey of Arizona, Class of '89.

On motion of Mr. Monroe, the degree was granted.

[Employment
of
C.J. Fox.]
Pres. Snyder also reported that he had employed
C.J. Fox as night watchman at the rate of thirty five
dollars ($35.) per month. Approved.





[Employment
of woman
to assist the
Dean of W.D.]
Pres. Snyder was authorized to employ a woman
to assist the Dean of the Women's Department at
Abbott Hall at eighteen dollars ($18.) per month.

[Office of Asst.
Sec'y abolished]
On motion, the office of Assistant Secretary was
abolished

It was moved that Mr. Skeels be invited to meet
the Board Thursday morning.

Adjourned to Thursday morning at 8:00 o'clock.

Thursday, Jan'y. 26 – 1899
8:00 a.m

Board met. Same members present except the
Governor.

Pres. Marston outlined some matters for consideration,
with recommendations thereon.

[Comm. on
Women's Dept.
appointed]
It was Resolved That a committee be appointed
on Women's Department. President appointed Messrs.
Monroe and Allen.

[Comm. on
acad. depts.
not now provided
for.]
It was Resolved That a committee be appointed
on Academic Departments not now provided for_
including the Veterinary Dept. President appointed
Messrs. Wells and Marsh.

[End page 250]

[Begin page 251]

President appointed committees as follows:



[Standing
Committees]
Finance Marsh, Monroe.
Farm Management. Wells, Watkins
Botany and Hort. Watkins, Monroe
Buildings & Property. Marsh, Wells
Employees Allen, Marsh, President of College
Institute Monroe, Wells
Military & Athletics Watkins, Allen
Land Grant Wells, Monroe
Experiment Station. Watkins, Allen
Weather Service Monroe, Watkins
Library Allen, Marsh
Women's Dept. Monroe, Allen
Academical depts.
not otherwise provided for. Wells, Marsh.

Mr. Monroe moved that Pres. Marston be requested
to prepare copies of recommendations made for the
use of members of the Board.

Mr. Watkins moved that a committee of two be
appointed by the President to prepare a system of
by-laws to govern transactions of the Board.
President appointed Messrs. Marsh, Monroe and the
Secretary.

[New quarters
for Supt of
Institutes]
It was Resolved. That the Superintendent of
Institutes be assigned to new quarters for office use
after February 20, 1899 the same to be determined by the
President of the College.

[F.E. Skeels
temporarily
employed]
It was Resolved. That F.E. Skeels be temporarily
employed as agent in charge of College Lands.

[Skeels
Investigation]
It was moved that a special committee be
appointed to investigate matters relating to Mr. Skeels
former position. Carried. President appointed
Messrs. Monroe, Marsh and Watkins.

On motion adjourned

[End page 251]

[Begin page 252]

Board meeting Feb'y 21-22 – 1899

Board met at the College, February 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Present. Pres. Marston. Pres. Snyder. Messrs Wells. Monroe
Allen. Marsh and Watkins.

Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

Pres. Snyder presented matter of Inter-collegiate
Oratorical Contest.

[Change of
college terms]
On motion of Mr. Wells, the President and Faculty were
authorized to change the College terms in their discretion

[Request for
materials for
Math. Dept.]
A request for materials for Mathematical Department
was referred to Committee on Academical Department.

[Request for
appin to mount
goat skin]
Request for appropriation to mount goat-skin now
on hand, referred to same committee.

[Request for
dining table – W.D.]
Request for dining table for Women's Department
refrerred to Committee on Women's Department.

[Relative to
office quarters
So. Haven Sta.]
Communication from Horticulturist of the Experiment
Station relating to office quarters for Superintendent of South
Haven Station was referred to Committee on Experiment
Station.

[Request for
team – Farm.]
Request of Prof. Smith for purchase of team for the farm
referred to Farm Committee.

Mr. Monroe of the special committee to examine Secretary's
accounts, reported as follows:

[End page 252]

[Begin page 253]

[Rept of
Mr. Monroe
on
Secy's Accts.]
Students Deposits $1267.26
Key " 194.00
Club " 1433.99
Current Account 5396.44
Special Apprs. 2483.98
Experiment Station 1711.31
Uniforms 755.34
Sundry 78.55
13320.87

College Treasurer $9808.28
Park Bank. N.Y. 631.91
Board Members 118.28
Work Orders 1624.51
Cash 1137.89
13320.87

The above examination is of December 24, 1898

C.J. Monroe,
Chairman

Report adopted and placed on file.

[Invitation
of Pres. Angell
to hold Round-
up at Ann Arbor]
Mr. Allen presented invitation from Pres. Angell and
the Board of Regents of the University and the Farmer's
Institute Society of Washtenaw County to hold the round-up
Institute for 1900 at Ann Arbor. Referred to the
Committee on Institutes.

Recess taken to Wednesday – 8:00 a.m.
A.C. Bird, Sec'y.
Session Wednesday
Feb. 22 – 8:00 a.m.

Same members present except Mr. Allen.

Academical Committee asked further time on matters
referred to them.

Farm Committee asked to defer report until next
meeting.

[End page 253]

[Begin page 254]

[Purchase of
table for
Women's Dept]
Committee on Women's Department reported favorably
on purchase of dining table for that Department. On
motion of Mr. Monroe, twenty-five dollars ($2500) was
appropriated for that purpose.

[Office quarters
So. Haven Sta.]
The matter of providing office quarters for Supt. of
South Haven Station was left to Messrs. Watkins and
Monroe with power to act.

On motion of Mr. Watkins the following resolution
was adopted:

[Bird Houses]
Resolved. That the Board authorize the expenditure
of a sum of money not to exceed fifty dollars ($5000)
under the supervision and by the direction of the president
of the college and the Professor of Zoölogy for the erection of
a number of rustic bird houses about the farm and
orchards and gardens for the encouragement and habitation
of certain of our insectivorous birds and to serve as an
object lesson to impress our students and visitors with
the great economical importance of birds about the house
and upon the farm, and to emphasize the utility of
protecting and encouraging them.
Also that the sum of ten dollars ($1000) or less be
expended for the placing of appropriate notices forbidding
all hunting and shooting upon the College premises except
in the destruction of noxious species and in the securing
of necessary specimens for the College Museum, and never
without the consent of the President of the College and
under the supervision of the Professor of Zoölogy.

On motion of Mr. Monroe Mr. Watkins was
placed on above committee on supervision.






[Reconsideration
of motion requiring
publication of
proceedings in "Record"]
Pesident Snyder moved to reconsider the motion
requiring publication of all Board proceedings in M.A.C.
Record – Carried.

Motion requiring publication tabled on reconsideration.

[End page 254]

[Begin page 255]

On motion of Mr. Watkins, the following
resolution was adopted.

[Sec'y Birds
office assistants]
Resolved that Secretary Bird be authorized to make
his own selection of office assistants provided the
expense of same shall not be in excess of that already
arranged by the Board, subject to the approval of the Board.

[Four & five
per courses]
On motion of Pres. Snyder the report from the Faculty
recommending four and five year courses in the Mechanical
Department was referred to the Mechanical Committee.

Mechanical Committee reported favorably on above
report. On motion of Mr. Monroe, the report was adopted.

[Moving and
assigning of
rooms for
Post-office]
The moving and assigning of rooms for the post-office
was on motion of Mr. Monroe. referred to the President of
the College with power to act.

Pres. Marston appointed the Finance Committee to
receive the Secretary's office from Secretary Butterfield
and transfer same to Secretary Bird.

Committee on Skeels investigation asked further
time. Approved

Adjourned. A.C. Bird, Sec'y

[End page 255]

[Begin page 256]

Recommendations of

President Marston

Board Meeting Jan 25 – 1899

I trust I shall not be thought presumptuous if I
assume it my privilege to call your attention to some of the
work still pending, and to make suggestions regarding
work for which the past has seemed to show the necessity
I shall also speak of a few things which I should have
presented in the shape of resolutions as these plans
matured. It is with no inclination or intention of
criticising that in some ways I may seem to do so, but
rather by specific example to show more clearly my
meaning and to some slight extent justify the remarks.
That these few suggestions are not worked to a definite
conclusion you will readily see but that even from this
crudeness some good will result, is my wish.

I would suggest that a committee be appointed on
By-lawas of the Board. This committee should look over
the rules and regulations as they have been laid down from
time to time, regarding the Board, could take into account the
unwritten code sanctioned by past and precedent and should
take into consideration the requirements of the present and
future. This would formulate methods of procedure for
our guidance. In this line I might mention the question
of advisable relation between the standing committees of
the Board and their respective departments. We have the
rule, and wisely too, that all reports and requests from the
departments must come to the Board through the
President of the College, yet on the other hand, there exists
a deep necessity for personal conference and relation between
the committees and the departments. This relation should
be defined. Perhaps the work could be separated into
executive and legislative. As an illustration, some time
ago the Mechanical Committee asked this question "How do
our graduate students in the Mechanical Engineering Course
rank with those of other colleges and the University." and
were answered, "They are on an equal footing."

[End page 256]

[Begin page 257]

From this point the committee knowing that we are
supposed to take students from the eighth grade while the
students from the University are from the twelfth grade or
four years farther along, and that to make the two
graduates equal we must do in four years what the
high schools and the University together take eight years for
began a work of inquiry and found that changes were apparently
necessary in the Mechanical Engineering Course. The matter
was then brought to the Board and a special Committee
appointed. Now why was this not really the Committee's
work? Or should it have been allowed to wait until
brought before the Board by the President. I may say
for the new Committee that part of the work is finished
and it would seem wise that they should solve the
problem and bring the matter to a successful issue.

There is a second necessity for conference, by no means
a small one. – that of visiting departments to show your
interst in the department you are supposed to represent
before the Board. This is not only a benefit to the chief
in charge, but also a distinct benefit to the committee,
they being thus much better qualified to work under-
standingly on matters referred. When first members
of this Board _ the present Secretary and myself, in our
youthful enthusiasm if you wish, attempted to visit
departments with the above idea in view. You would
hardly believe we were told by some that it was an
innovation. We listened to some lectures which gave us
information other than what the professor said by
word of mouth.

We need concentration. Why not have each committe
map out a certain line of work and then pursue that line
and have some definite aim? What is the policy or plan
of the Farm Committee in regard to the Farm? The
Experiment Station Committee on the subject of Tuberculosis?
Or what experiments shall they pursue? Are we drifting or are
we working along definite lines? If along definite lines,
is it to the best of our ability? I think Wisconsin can be
sighted as working full force along certain definite lines.

[End page 257]

[Begin page 258]

Some changes in our standing committees seem advisable
We need a committee on the Women's Department. Then while
we have a committee on Veterinary and on Horticulture, yet
we have none on the Chemical Department.

There is a need for promptness. When an emergency
arises the President must have the power and authority
to act at once. Some delays are unavoidable but in many
cases forsight would fully prepare us for the emergency.
Reports are not in on time. The inventories last year were
not handed in until long past time. If we are to issue a
calendar let it come out the first of January or before-
not the fifteenth. The Experiment Station bulletins are
not issued according to the desires of the Board at least.
Perhaps the printers are to blame, but is there no way to
remedy this? Were the Secretary at each meeting to make a
business report similar to the Presidents executive report
many delays which should not occur and unfulfilled
resolutions of the Board would be brought to our notice.
Then let all resolutions be either fulfilled or rescinded.

Some plan is needed in regard to new work and
extensive repairs which would do away with all
misunderstandings and chance for error in after
representations. Were all requirements when needed, yes, even
when the necessity was anticipated, sent to a head of
department under whose work it might properly fall
for that department to formulate plans and specifications
we should have the advantage over their expert knowledge.
Let all requirements, plans, specifications and estimates
be made on paper, these papers signed by each one who
may have them in charge and when the work is finished
let the result be compared with the papers, and errors charged
or commendation credited to whomsoever they belong.
With some such plans there could be no misunderstanding
as there were on the farm barn, the steam pipe for the
agricultural laboratory, the electric light and others.
Even now we have gone to the Legislature and asked
$2500.00 for rehauling the heating plant of Williams and Wells
Halls. Upon what have we based our estimate? It would
not be a bad idea if all communications between departments

[End page 258]

[Begin page 259]

are from departments to the President should be in writing

There are three resolutions of the Board (perhaps one was
more a consensus of opinion) to which I should like to call
attention: The first is the bulletins for school children,
especially in the rural districts. This has not developed into
much yet. Could not something valuable to the College
be derived from such bulletins? Made up in attractive and
proper shape, it does seem as though they could be made
of much value. This might properly come under the College
extension work. The second, a more free publication in the
press of experiments, rather than saving all for the bulletins.
One of our laws permits if not requires some such publication
though more by the College than the Experiment Station.
The third, the giving of all employment possible to the
students. I trust this may be more earnestly insisted upon.
Of course it is more difficult for the one who is accountable
for such work, but it is worth it and the Secretary has seemed
to make it successful. Prof Mumford also, at this time is
having all the work done under him done by students. with
the exception of the herdsman. Surely if in his department
it can be done, it is not impossible in others.
Both the Secretary and Prof. Mumford are deserving of
commendation for the way in which they have tried to
make this feature a success.

I should like to see a sharper distinction made
between farm proper and the experiment station.
This for one thing, would settle the matter of more published
experiments outside of the bulletins as all experiments of the
farm proper could be for such publication. If the farm
were run from a practical point of view, all monies
received by that department would be credited to that
department, or course with the idea of its being used under
the same restrictions as now.

I hope the policy of this Board will be to pay professors
and instructors liberally, but to insist upon value received
and not hesitate to better the Colege when possible, by making
changes. To this end, if all instructors except heads of
departments were engaged for a certain period of time, there would
be less friction in making such changes.

[End page 259]

[Begin page 260]

Among a few of the things which may be looked into, I
might suggest:
The more economical management of the boarding clubs.
Necessity for a good bath house.
Better gymnasium facilities
Water closets in all professor's houses.
Superintendent of buildings and College property
who would superintend all repair work and at other times
might do some teaching.
Arrangements for rifle practice in connection with the
Military Department.
Enlargement of the Boiler House, higher chimney, steam
stokers etc. This plan is already up to its capacity and
perhaps some improvements in changing would be more
economical.
Lastly and now that there is a change in the
Secretaryship, it would be better if other quarters were found
for the superintendent of institutes.




Board Meeting. March 22. 1899.
7:30 o'clock

Present. President Marston. President Snyder.
Messrs. Wells, Monroe, Marsh and Watkins.

[Request of Prof.
Marshall for
vacation]
The request of Dr. Marshall for a vacation was
referred to the Committee on Experiment Station

[Request for
addition to appm'nt
Womens & Hort. Depts.]
Request from Women's and Horticultural Departments
for addition to regular apportionment referred to the
respective committees for those departments.

[Request for
additional appm'nt.
Farm]
Request from Prof. Smith for addition to regular
apportionment for Farm Department , referred to Committee on same.

[Request for
Bath room]
Request for bath room at Farm House was referred to
Committee on Buildings and College Property.

[Request for
equipment
Bact. Lab'y.]
Request for equipment for Bacteriological Laboratory

[End page 260]

[Begin page 261]

was referred to Academic Committee.

[Asst. help in
Dept. of History]
Pres. Snyder was authorized to employ assistant help in
the Department of History for the Spring Term, at an expense
not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars ($12500).

[Summer
Teachers' Inst.]
It was moved to authorize Pres. Snyder to arrange
at his discretion for the holding of a Summer Teachers'

Institute at the College and for accomodation for those
attending.

[Business report
of Sec'y.]
On motion, the Secretary was reaquested to make a
business report at each meeting.

The Secretary presented the following report:

To the State Board of Agriculture.
Gentlemen :-
From the experience of one month in the office which I
now hold, I have to report respectfully the following
changes made in the methods employed:

[Secy's report]
First. On assuming the duties of the office, I found it to
be the custom to carry in the cash drawer, cash slips to
excessive amounts, reaching frequently three and four
hundred dollars, and at times reaching as high as seven
and eight hundred dollars. This arose from different sources
chief of which were:
First. Unpaid coal bills from the professors and
other employees of the College to whom coal had been furnished
at cost by the College.
Second. Unpaid electric light bills for lighting, furnished
practically upon the same basis.
Third. Salary advanced before the end of the month, to
employees upon the regular payroll.

[Cash Slips
in
Drawer]
The first of these, that of unpaid coal bills, is
especially aggravating. The bills for the winter's supply of
coal remaining unpaid in some cases until the following
August, September or even October. The delays in paying
electric light bills were not so numerous, but yet were
of common occurrence.

[End page 261]

[Begin page 262]

The advance of salary was sufficiently general to
amount to from one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars
per month.

In view of these facts and when considered in the
light of the recommendations of the State Accountant,
Mr. Humphrey , I took the liberty immediately after
succeeding to the office to establish of requiring all
accounts against the employees to be settled on the last
day of the month. At present the plan is working satis-
factorily. I have also absolutely stopped advancing salary
before the close of the month.

These three reforms have cleared the cash drawers of cash
slips and this one objective of the State Accountant has
been removed. Judging from the experience of a single month
I am very certain that it will not be difficult to adhere to
this plan in the future.

[Overdrawn
Accts.]
Another common occurrence in the practice of the
office has been to allow the several departments to
overdraw their accounts before the end of the six months
periods, without authority from the Board. Until I am
instructed to the contrary by the Board, I shall cease to pay
vouchers for the several departments as soon as their
respective apportionments have been exhausted, and in
each case await increased appropriation by the Board
to such departments before making further payments.
These overdrafts have become excessively general
The following are some of the overdrafts at the end of the
several periods in question, not going back beyond two years.

Farm Dept. $556.40 $91.52 $134.91
Hort. " 443.32 543.27
Women's " 43.92 115.89 114.56
Payroll 1220.28 1986.49 928.12

It seems to me that the chief reasons for these overdrafts
are two in number.
First under the present system , if any department has a
balance left over from any six months period, that balance

[End page 262]

[Begin page 263]

is taken from them and turned into the current fund.
On the other hand, if any department has an overdraft
that overdraft is charged against the next period's apportionment.
Second. If any department through any kind of
good work or good business management received funds
such department is not credited with any such receipts,
everything being turned into the current fund. In other words, in
the accounts kept with the department, every expense is
debited and nothing credited.


I have made the changes outlined above without waiting
for consultation with the Board for the reason that imme-
diate action seemed necessary.
There are several other matters which I wish now to bring
before the Board for their consideration, all referreing to
business practices in my office in the future.

[Recommendations
of
State Accn't.]
First. I will refer to the recommendations of Mr.
Humphrey the State Accountant. He asks five things.
First. "That all cash, checks and book accounts which
have no connection with the work of the college, shall be
separated from those that do."
I find upon careful consideration that this suggsetion
can be followed without serious embarrasment or
greatly increased work in the office.
Second. Mr Humphrey suggests "Keep the Institutions
accounts upon books which will correspond with the
triplicates and vouchers filed with this department, using
each as the unit of entry."
With the adoption of the first recommendation, the second
will easily follow.
Third. Mr. Humphrey asks that "All cash and bank
accounts be so kept that when the outstanding checks are
considered the balance reported at the close of each month
to this department will correspond with the actual cash on
hand."
The wrong practice here hinted at has been corrected in a
great measure by refusing to allow cash slips in the
drawer and by the separation of college accounts from
other accounts. These suggestions can be thoroughly carried out.

[End page 263]

[Begin page 264]

Fourth. The suggestion of Mr. Humhrey is to "Keep the
cash drawer and bank accounts so that the examiner can
take up the work and prove it at any day in the year,
without the assistance of the memory of any officer or
employee connected with the College." This suggestion we
are following at present.

[Nursery Receipts]
I find that there are no accounts kept with the
nursery receipts for license fees. This will be corrected at an
early date. I also find that in the system of keeping
accounts heretofore in vogue, where more than one building
has been in process of erection at the same time, it is
impossible to tell from the books what the cost of any one
of the buildings has been. This I am certain can be
easily corrected and I shall make necessary changes in
the system if allowed to by the Board.

[Weighing of
Soft Coal]
I find that it is impossible to weigh the soft coal
that we are using, amounting to three carloads a week.
It seems to me that with the great amount of coal used here
on the grounds we could well afford to put in scales at
the Boiler House. The cost of drawing coal from the
siding and from Trowbridge during the past year,
has amounted to seven hundred ninety seven dollars
and fifty cents ($797.50). This leads me to believe that
the question of securing an arrangement with the railroad
company to put in a siding from Trowbridge to the Boiler
House should receive careful attention.

[Old Voucher
System]
I have left what I consider to be the most important
suggestion until the last, and that has reference to the
voucher system at present in vogue. Under the present
system the following is the practice: Each department
orders independently upon requisition. The bills are generally
sent to the Departments and vouchers are prepared by
the departments in triplicate, certified to by heads of depart-
ments and two copies sent to the Secretary's office.
Payment is made by this office upon these vouchers.
The trouble with the present system is this: We find at the
end of the month that some of the merchants have ten,
twenty and even thirty bills against the College

[End page 264]

[Begin page 265]

ea
each of which is paid by an independent voucher.
This multiplicity of vouchers multiplies work both in
this office, in the offices of the heads of departments
and in the Auditor Generals' Office at Lansing. I would
respectfully suggest the following system in place of the
present one:
[Proposed
Voucher System]
First. That each department orders independently upon
requisition as now, said requisition to contain list of
supplies wanted, together with number of items, rate per
item and amount. Requisition to be made out in duplicate
and signed by the head of department. President of the
College and the Secretary, possibly omitting the requirement
of signature of the President and Secretary to all amounts
of less than three dollars. The duplicate of this requisition
to be filed in the Secretary's Office, original to be sent to firm
furnishing supplies. All bills for supplies furnished to
be sent to the Secretary's office for payment, and there first
be checked with requisition and then sent immediately to head
of department ordering same and there checked as to receiving
of said goods, rate per item and amount of said bill:
the head of deparment to OK all bills found correct, and
put classification to said bill , returning same to Secretary's
office for payment.
At the end of the month , or possibly the first or second
day of the succeeding month, the Secretary's office will have
what will be known as "voucher day" when all bills rendered
by any one firm , regardless of the department ordering goods,
will be grouped into one general voucher and paid by one
check. From this classification the voucher will be made
in the respective books of the office.
It will be readily seen that this will reduce the number of
vouchers passing through the office and through the Auditor
General's office at Lansing, very appreciably. in my
opinion it will reduce the number at least seventy-five per cent
and reduce the work of the Secretary's office accordingly.
I have talked this matter over with the President of the College
and several heads of departments and find no serious objection
raised. I have also talked it over with Mr. Tompkins
of the Auditor General's office and find that it meets with his
thorough approval.
The expence of instituting the new system will be very slight.

[End page 265]

[Begin page 266]

We should have to have in the office two new books termed
very
voucher books. Their use, however, will cut down ^ largely
the amount of space now used in the other books, and in
the long run the expense for books of the proposed system
will be even less in number than under the present system.
On dividing of the accounts into College accouns proper and
what might be termed accomodation accounts, it will also
be necessary to provide a new cash book and ledger.
Beyond these items, I think no other change in the books now
on hand, will be necessary.
So far as the supervision of repairs is concerned, my
work has been far from satisfactory, and I am willing
to admit that I have no satisfactory plan to offer. The best
way of stating the case is to outline the condition of affairs
as I found them. I found at work two painters, one
employed regularly at a dollar and seventy-five cents
($1.75) per day for steady work and the other at two
dollars ($200) whenever called upon . I soon dis-
covered that there was an effort made on the part of these
men to unduly prolong their jobs in order to furnish
employment to their selves for longer periods. The painter
in charge stated to me that it would be necessary to
furnish the second painter work for the next five days
and when asked by me why it was necessary, gave as
his excuse that the fifth day it would be absolutely necessary
to have him and that it was doubtful if he could be
secured on that day unless furnished steady work during
the intervening time. Upon close inspection of the work
laid out I discovered that instead of there being five
day's work for two men ahead, there were only two day's
work for one man, and acting accordingly I made
arrangements to dispense with the services of both men
when not absolutely needed by the College.
In the plumbing work the same difficulty
presented itself. I found that a certain regular workman
had been employed for months since his days of fitness for
the position had passed, at a salary of two dollars ($200)
per day, and that it was generally conceeded that he was
shirking his work and that he was disloyal to those over
him, that he was treacherous in quality of work performed
and that his influence generally was bad upon the

[End page 266]

[Begin page 267]

students working with him. This man I immediately
dismissed and in my opinion the amount of work
done by the department in which he worked has been
increased rather than diminished by his absence.
I refer to these examples not because of their special
importance but because they illustrate the entire lack
of system upon the grounds in regard to such matters.

I have tried to correct in a measure these errors by
arranging the work so that one man might be placed at
the head of certain lives and be held responsible for all
under him. However, I am free to confess that this
question of repair and building supervision assumes such
great proportions that it seems to me impossible to ever
arrange a satisfactory business system whereby the work
may be done to advantage through the Secretary's office
I frankly believe that owing to the lack of system
in the past along the line of making repairs, the College
has lost and is losing hundreds, if not thousands of
dollars annually.
I have also found it necessary to add considerably
to office equipment in order that the work might be done
expeditiously and according to business practices.
The entire cost of these additional conveniences has,
to date, not exceeded twenty-five dollars ($2500) and in
nearly every case sufficient quantities have been
purchased to last for two years.
[Addition
of
Office
Equipment]
In moving the postoffice from the secretary's office
it has become necessary to re-arrange the Secretary's office
which will involve considerable expense. The desk, table
and doors have never been repaired since the burglary
of one and one-half years ago, and those repairs must now
be made if the office is to be made at all convenient
or secure for work. After these repairs are made and the
office is once more placed in condition to make it
practicable , then it is my plan to decisively stop the
long prevailing practice of allowing others than the authorized
clerks in the office , free access to the vaults of the office
On the other hand, every conveniene will be furnished every
member of the Faculty or other authorized person to
make necessary examinations of records, aside from the

[End page 267]

[Begin page 268]

one privilege of entering that part of the office partitioned
off for the cashier.
I would report the following needs in office
equipment:
First. A new typewriter
Second. A new copying press.
In regard to the former I feel that an explanation
is needed . As I understand it, the machine which I found
in the office was purchased at second hand less than two
years ago. It has not done good work for more than six
months and we find it impossible to make it do bettter.
I have great faith in the virtue of a neat appearing letter,
and at present with the appliances in my office, it is
impossible to produce the same.
The net cost of a new machine will be forty-seven
dollars ($4700) This is a first class new. Remington.
machine. This reduced figure is obtained as follows:
List price $100.00
Special discount 12.25
87.75

Allowance for
old machine 40.00
Net cost to us 47.75
Taking into account that the present machine was bought at
second hand for eighty-dollars ($80.00), this will mean that
were the new machine to be provided , it would have cost
the office twenty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($2775)
for the use of a machine during the past two years.
The copying press has not been in good working order
for years, and while I think it might be used in some of
the departments which have not much work for a machine
to do, it ought no longer to do the work required to bedone
in this office. The cost of a new press I understand to be
thirty dollars ($3000)
New linoleum is needed on the office floor, cost about
thirty-five dollars ($3500)
Certain general repairs on office furniture.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A.C. Bird
Secretary.

[End page 268]

[Begin page 269]

That portion of the Secretary's report relating to finances was
referred to the Finance Committee , and that relating to buildings
and supplies to the committee on Buildings and College Property.

[Typewriter
Copying press
etc.]
On motion of Mr. Monroe, the matter of typewriter, copying-
press and other repairs and supplies definitely mentioned , was left
with the President and Secretary with power to act.

[Rental of
quarters for
Postoffice]
Pres. Snyder reported moving of the postoffice to the
Horticultural Laboratory and that he had rented the present
quarters heated and lighted to the Postoffice Department
for one year, from July 1st, 1899, for one hundred twenty-five
dollars ($125.00) per year, and that Mr. Butterfield , as post-
master had agreed to pay twenty-five dollars ($2500)
rent up to July 1st. On motion, the action of Pres.
Snyder was approved.

[Bath room
& fixtures in
Secy's house]
The matter of new bath room and fixtures in the Secretary's
house was referred to the Committee on Buildings and College
Property.


[Re-organization
of Hort. Dept.]
The matter of re-organization of the Horticultural Department
was referred to the committee on Botany and Horticulture
and the President of the College.

[Bond of
Sec'y Bird]
The Finance Committee reported that the bond of Secretary
Bird had been duly received , approved by them and
filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and asked
further time to report on bond of Treasurer Davis.

[Request of
Prof Vedder to
purchase
apparatus
allowed.]
Mr. Wells of the Academic Committee recommended
that the request of Prof. Vedder to purchase apparatus be allowed.
On motion the report was adopted.

[Allowance for
mounting goat
skin.]
The same committee recommended that Prof. Barrows be
allowed to expend fifty dollars ($5000) for mounting goat
skin. Report adopted.

Mr. Marsh presented the following communication:

[End page 269]

[Begin page 270]

[Communication
from
Mr. Marsh]
To the State Board of Agriculture :
Greetings :
I wish to make the following report to the Board:
After making examinations during the last two months of
the vouchers that have come before me as chairman of the
Finance Committee, I am convinced that the College is
losing largely in the purchasing of all supplies that are
used upon the grounds and buildings, and also in all
material used in repairs . I think it would be advisable
to have a purchasing agent, and for the heads of the several
departments to make report to the President of the College:
these reports can then be handed to the purchasing agent.
I would also further suggest that the purchasing agent be
the overseer of the grounds and buildings and of the repairs
on such, and all [water?] and heating apparatus as well as
an architect for any new buildings. I would suggest that
he be a competent man, a man capable of giving us
plans and specifications of any buildings and also
capable of going on , looking after and overseeing laying
of pipes, putting in of water mains, heating of buildings,
and of making every improvement and repair that would
be necessary , upon the grounds and buildings.
I think that in this way we would get rid of a
large amount of labor in the way of vouchers and it
would be a saving to the College through the purchasing of
supplies , of several thousand dollars each year. We would
also save the cost of an architect on buildings which we
are in hopes to erect upon the grounds
Trusting that this report may meet with your approval
I am,
Yours etc.
H.F.Marsh
Chairman, Finance Comm.

[Relative to
Dept of
Repairs &
Purchasing
Agent.]
Mr. Marsh moved that we employ a man who
shall act as purchasing agent and superintendent of
repairs of buildings and construction of buildings.
On motion, the matter was referred to the Committees on
Employees and Buildings and College Property , and the
Secretary.

[End page 270]

[Begin page 271]

[Revision
of
Bulletin List]
On motion, the Secretary was authorized to revise the
bulletin list at his discretion.

Adjourned. A.C.Bird, Sec'y.

Thursday Morning. March 23

10:00 a.m.

Same members and Mr. Allen present.



[Order of
Busines]
Pres. Marston reported the following order of business to be
followed until the committee on ordering By-laws makes its
report:
Report of President of the College
Business Report of Secretary
Reports of Standing Commtitees
Reports of Special Committees
Reports of Employees and Others
Communications
Motions and Resolutions
Unfinished Business

[Report of
Insp. Trine]
The report of Inspector of Nurseries Trine was read,
accepted and ordered placed on file.

To the State Board of Agriculture.
Gentlemen:
The State Inspector of Orchards and Nurseries makes
the following business statement of the work of the past year:
Nurseries inspected 135
Orchards " suspected of scale 105
Grounds of Dealers inspected 10
Places to be inspected 6
Fees received for inspection $239.
" turned in to State Treasurer 126.
Balance in my hands $103.

[End page 271]

[Begin page 272]

Reported cases of scale 22
Exterminated or supposed to be 18
Balance of remaining cases 4
Colonies of each found during the year 2

The nurseries of the state are apparently free from San
Jose scale.
Wally Aphis and Black Peach Aphis have been found
in six nurseries.
Amount of stock infected with the above:
Peach. about 300000
Apple " 100000
The above stock has all been fumigated with Hydrocyanic
gas. I superintended all the fumigation.

Shipments not bearing certificated of inspection
reported by the railroad companies _51.

Investigation of the above reports revealed only
four cases from nurseries having no certificates.

I was called several times to decide on cases of Yellows
where the owner and commissioner were in dispute.

I have been instrumental in having appointed a
number of comissioners under Acts 2 and 109 _ Laws
of 1897- 1895.

I have a record of a number of orchards that last year
were infected with canker worm. These will be looked
after at the proper time.

I have the list of sales of the Dayton Star Nursery Co.
of Dayton O. for 1895-6-7 . Some time during the above years
they sent infested stock here . I have found but one case
from them so far but have not examined all places
I have corresponded with some of the purchasers of the
stock and am making preparations to make as
thorough an examination as possible. However, a thorough
search is impossible as a great deal of the stock was
sold to dealers and they have no record of it.

[End page 272]

[Begin page 273]

The clerical work connected with the work has been
hampered somewhat by lack of office facilities. I have
sent out over 3400 letters , about 1000 circular letters and
over 2000 copies of the law. The above work has taken
all my time.
Respectfully submitted

D.W. Trine.
Inspector.

[Doctors &
hospital bill
of G.W.Bailey]
On motion of Mr. Allen, the President was authorized
to pay the doctor's bill and hospital bill of G.W.Bailey
to the amount of thirty dollars ($3000).

[Rate of
pay for
student labor]
The following resolution was unanimously adopted =
Resolved – that in the future students be paid for labor
other than that required by the course of study at the rate of
ten cents per hour , except for labor requiring special
ability or skill.

The following communication was received from
Pres. I.H.Butterfield of the State Agricultural Society, and
laid on the table until the next meeting:

[Communication
from
President of
State Agl.
Socy.]
To the President and members of the state board of
Agriculture.
Gentlemen: I respectfully write and request that you
direct that an exhibit be made by the College in as many
departments as possible, particularly the Farm and
Horticultural Departments at the next State Fair to be
held at Grand Rapids Sept. 25-29.
In commemoration of the 50th annual fair, a special
educational exhibit is contemplated. In view of the relations
of the State Agricultural Society to the college at its begin-
ning and all through its history, it is especially
desirable that the latter make as extended an exhibit
as possible.
Very Respectfully
I.H. Butterfield.

[End page 273]

[Begin page 274]

Mr. Monroe offered the following resolution which
was adopted:
[Bill amending
Nursery
inspection
law.]
Whereas. There is a bill before the Legislature amending
the Nursery Inspection law, by doing away with the fur-
nishing of lists (on demand of the Inspector) of the names
of persons, companies or dealers to whom nurseries have
sold or delivered any trees or nursery stock, and
Whereas. It is the opinion of the Board that such change
in the law would greatly weaken its efficiency. therefore
Resolved, That we protect against the passage of said
amendment.





[Purchase
of team for
Farm.]
The Committee on Farm Management recommended that the
Department be authorized to purchase a first-class pair of grade
general purpose horses, at a cost not to exceed three hundred
seventy-five dollars ($37500) same to be paid for from the
general fund. Adopted.

[Farm Dept
credited with $742.95]
The same committee recommended that the farm
Department be credited with seven hundred forty-two dollars
and ninety-five cents ($742.95) the amount paid them for
milk for the Dairy Course. Adopted.

[Additional
appropriation
Women's Dept.]
The Committee on Women's Department recommended
further appropriation of one hundred fifty dollars ($15000)
to the Department for the current six months. Adopted.

[Adoption of
Secy's plans for
work in office]
The Finance Committee reported in favor of adopting
the suggestions of the Secretary regarding plans for future
work in the Secretary's office. Adopted.

[Bath room
furnishings &
fixtures – Secy's
house.]
The Committee on Buildings and College Property
authorized the construction of bath-room, furnishings and
fixtures for the same in the Secretary's house.

[Promotion of
H.P.Gladden]
The Committee on Botany and Horticulture moved that
Mr. Gladden be promoted to the position of Assistant
Professor of Horticulture at a salary of one thousand
dolars ($100000) per annum.

[Prof Weil to
report on cost
of lathe]
On motion Prof. Weil was instructed to investigate

[End page 274]

[Begin page 275]

and report at next meeting. the cost of an additional
lathe for his department.

[Report of
Comm. on Sub-
Station]
The Committee on Sub-station office presented the
following report which was adopted:
Labor etc. fitting up office and tool-room –
South Haven Sub. station.
Labor. carpenter $16.50
Lumber 19.64
Hardware 2.72
Labor – mason 10.26
Brick. [illegible in original] etc. 7.52
$56.64
Furnishing office to date
Stove etc. 7.78
Table, chairs etc. 8.30
$16.08
$72.72
A lamp and a few other small items are needed for
furnishing the office.

Mr. Wells moved that when we adjourn , it be to meet
at the Board rooms at one o'clock , April 26, Carried

Adjourned
A.C.Bird, Sec'y.

[End page 275]

[Begin page 276]

Board Meeting

April 26, 1899.

Present. President Marston. President Snyder. Messrs. Monroe
Allen, Marsh and the Secretary.

Minutes of last meeting read and approved.

[Request of
Dr. Beal.]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Dr. Beal for certain repairs
to residence. Referred to Committee on Buildings and College
Property.


[Request of
Prof. Smith.]
Pres. Snyder presented request of. Prof. Smith for bath-
room in residence . Referred to same committee.

[Request of
Prof. Barrows]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Prof. Barrows for
certain repairs to residence. Referred to same committee.

[Attendance of
Prof. Taft.
A.N.A.]
Pres. Snyder presented matter of attendance of Prof. Taft
at the meeting oft he Americna Nursery Association in Chicago.
Referred to Committee on Botany and Horticulture.

[Chem. Dept
apportionment]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Chemical Department
for increase in the regular six months appointment. Referred
to the Academic Committee.

[Increase of
salary – Crosby]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Dr Edwards that Mr.
Crosby give up his full time to his department and be granted
an increase of salary and that he be relieved from work on
the M.A.C. Record. Referred to Committee on employes and
Academic Committee.

[Salary of Miss Cook]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Director Smith that the
salary of Miss Cook be increased to forty dollars ($4000).
Referred to Committee on Experiment Station.
[Marshall – leave of
absence.]
Also that Dr. Marshall be granted leave of absence for
study abroad. Referred to Committee on Employees.
[Attendance of Dir
Smith – San Francisco]
Also that he. (Director Smith) be sent as delegate to the
meeting of Directors of Experiment Stations at San Francisco

[End page 276]

[Begin page 277]

Referred to Committee on Experiment Station.
[Analysis Food
preparations]
Also regarding certain analyses of certain food preparation
which was referred to the same committee.

[Apportionment
Advertising]
Pres. Snyder presented a request for an increase of
seven hundred sixteen dollars ($71600) in the regular six months
appointment for advertising. Adopted.

[App'm'nt.
Athletics]
Pres. Snyder recommended that one hundred fifty dollars
($15000) be apportioned for Athletics. Adopted.
[E.C. Baker's
Salary]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Prof. Weil that Mr.Baker's
salary be increased to fifty dollars ($5000) per month. Referred
to committee on Employes.

[Mr. Jenison
lot on Delta]
Pres. Snyder presented request of Mr. Jenison to purchase lot
on the Delta. On motion of Mr. Allen the Secretary was
instructed to correspond with other colleges for the purpose of
determining their plans for retaining control of real estate
transferred to employees.

[App'm'nt
Physical
Dept.]
Pres. Snyder recommended that thirty-five dollars ($35.00)
be added to the apportionment for the Physical Department.
Adopted.

The Secretary presented the following report:

[Secy's. report]
Agricultural College. Mich. April 26 – 99
To the State Board of Agriculture.
Gentlemen :-
I would respectfully submit the following
business report from my office during the past month:
In accordance with the adoption by your Board , of the
new system of voucher records at the last meeting on April
1st. I sent to the head of each department the following
communication:
[Voucher system]
"You are respectfully informed that the State Board of
Agriculture at its last meeting . March 22-23,1899 adopted the
following voucher system for this institution:
Each department shall order independently upon requisition
as now. said requisition to contain list of goods wanted.

[End page 277]

[Begin page 278]

together with number of items, rate per item and amount as
far as practicable, requisition to be made out in duplicate
and signed by head of department and if for College
expenditure and amounting to more than five dollars. ($500)
requisition must be approved by the President of the
College and signed by the Secretary: if for Experiment
Station, the same practice will be observed except that the
requisition must be approved by the Director of the
Experiment Station instead of the President of the College
in cases where the amount is more than five dollars
($500). The duplicate of this requisition is to be filed
in the Secretarys office, the original to be sent to the
firm furnishing supplies: all bills for supplies fur-
nished are to be sent to the Secretary's office for pay-
ment and there first checked with the requisition and
then forwarded immediately to head of department ordering
same. The head of department will check as to receiving
said goods, rate per item and amount of said bill and
O.K. all bills found correct. put classification to said
bill and return same to Secretarys office for payment.
At the end of each month the Secretarys office will
make vouchers which shall include all bills and the
departments will be relieved in the future of drawing
vouchers.
In adopting this method, several changes will be
necessary.
First a new form of requisition blank which will
be furnished to the several heads of departments on the morning
of April 3rd.
Second. The departments should make it plain to all
persons and firms furnishing supplies for the College, that
they must return the requisition order for same together
with bill for goods, to the Secretary's office.
Third. It will be necessary that the Secretarys office and
heads of departments shall be prompt in checking and
auditing bills.
Fourth. It will be necessary that before nine oclock a.m
on the last day of each month, the head of each department
shall deliver to the Secretary's office upon blanks which
will be furnished from this office. the payroll of the
department for the current month. In the event of the

[End page 278]

[Begin page 279]

payroll not being received before that time, no payments can
be made upon same until the close of the following month.
Fifth, since the adoption of this plan involves several
radical changes in the business management of the insti-
tution, it is to be hoped that the several heads of depart-
ments will co-operate with this office in explaining the
requirements of the system to all having business dealings
with the institution. It should be made plain to students
especially at the time of employment, that payment for
work will be made only at the end of the month or at the
end of the term when the term closes in the middle of the
month.
Very truly yours.
A.C. Bird
Secretary"

I find that the departments are giving me cordial support
in instituting the new system and I am able to report that since
April 15th. no vouchers have been made except in accord-
ance therewith and that the new plan is working satis-
factorily to all concerned. At the last Board meeting,
reported a plan of keeping the books of the office in
accordance with the suggestions and directions made by the
State Accountant . Mr. Humphrey in his report of December
24th. 1898 . After the adoption of the plan by your Board
at the March meeting. I addressed a communication to the
State Accountant asking for written authority to make the
desired changes. Mr Humphrey deemed it advisable to
refer the matter to the Attorney General of the State and
has kindly furnished me for use at this time copies of letters
passing between himself and the Auditor General. The commu-
nication from Mr Humphrey to Mr. Oren reads as follows:

[Communication
to
Atty Gen'l.]
Lansing, Mich . April 17 .1899
Hon. Horace M. Oren.
Att'y General.
Lansing, Mich.
Dear Sir:-
In making the examination required by law of the accounts
reported to this department, but also accounts with several
boarding house clubs, accounts with the students of a banking

[End page 279]

[Begin page 280]

nature. and accounts with the purchase and sale of military
uniforms to the students.
There is no question as to the impropriety of keeping all
these accounts in the same set of books and reporting only a
portion of them to this department. Secretary Bird contemplates
the revision of the system and desires to put the new one in
operation as soon as possible. He has consulted this
department somewhat concerning the matter, and I am not
entirely clear as to his right to exclude the boarding. house.
banking department and uniform accounts from his
report to this department.
Upon this question I desire your opinion.
Mr. Bird informs me that the entries upon the
College records show that the Board of Agriculture has three
hundred dollars worth of stock in the boarding house clubs
but that this stock was never paid for by vouchers
nor in any way except by some accomodation or
privilege.
With reference to the banking accomodation and the
purchase of uniforms for students , it is purely a matter
of accomodation, and I cannot see as the Board
recognizes any liability in the matter.
Secretary Bird and this department are of the same
opinion with regard to the advisability of separating the
three classes of accounts herein mentioned, from those
properly pertaining to the College. provided your con-
struction will permit of such separation.

Very respectfully
Dictated by Roscoe D. Dix
Henry Humphrey Auditor General
General Accountant"

" At the request of the Attorney General and Mr Humphrey.
I met with them at the Attorney Generals Office at two
different times and with them went over the entire matter.
These conferences resulted in the following authority from the
Attorney General , upon receipt of which I made definite
arrangements for instituting the new system at the College in
accordance with the resolution of your Board adopted at
its last meeting:"

[End page 280]

[Begin page 281]

[Reply from
Auditor Gen'l]
Lansing. Mich April 19. 1899
Hon. Roscoe D. Dix.
Auditor General
Lansing Mich
Dear Sir:-
I am in receipt of your favor of the 17th. inst.
from the accounting department of your office , in which
you state that you desire my opinion on the question of
whether certain accounts that have been kept in the
books of the secretary of the state board of agriculture
are properly state accounts subject to the super-
vision of your department , and whether you should compel
these accounts to be brought under the general system of
accounting which obtains in your department . The accounts
referred to are:
First. Those of the Club Boarding Association of the
Agricultural College.
Second. The accounts of money deposited by students
with the Secretary of the college.
Third. Accounts for military uniforms supplied to
students.
I have investigated this matter and find that the Club
Boarding Association is an independent corporation,
organized under the law of Michigan , and is absolutely
controlled by the students of the Agricultural College who
are members of the association . They elect their own
officers , and the only connection that the Association
has with the state board of agriculture is that the
association has permission to use the dining rooms
connected with the dormitories of the Agricultural
College, and the secretary of the college is treasurer of
the association.
Prior to 1882, the state board of agriculture, in
manageing the agricultural college, hired a steward and
itself provided board for the students in the dormitories.
This system was abandoned and the Club Boarding
Association was formed. It would be competent for the
board of Agriculture to do as they did prior to 1882, in
which case all receipts and disbursements from such
sources would be state funds, and the accounting for
the same could come under the general system that

[End page 281]

[Begin page 282]

that appertains to your office . But it is competent
for the Board of Agriculture to discontinue this sytem
and turn over the matter of running a boarding house to
a private individual. or to an association, and absolve them-
selves from all control or responsibility . This, it seems
to me, has been done, and for that reason I do not think
that these bording house or club association accounts
come under the supervision of your department. The
secretary of the state board of agriculture , who is the
treasurer of the Club Boarding Association is responsible
solely to the Club Boarding Association for the funds
that he receives. and he is not obliged to account for
the same. to the State or to any other person or association
than the club.

In reference to the deposit of money by the students.
with the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture , I
find that the following system has grown up: Owing
to the fact that the Agricultural College is situated at
some distance from Lansing , it has been found a con-
venience by the students to deposit moneys belonging
to themselves, with the Secretary of the College He acts
practically as a banker for their benefit: no fee is
charged for this, and he is accountable solely to
those who have made deposits with him. In case of a
loss by the Secretary and the inability to repay the money
that has thus been entrusted to him. the students who
made the deposit would be the sufferers. I do not
believe that any valid claim could be established
against the state if such a loss occurred. For this
reason I do not believe that such accounts properly
come under the supervision of your department. In this
Connection , I would state that it seems to me that
the Board of Agriculture is morally if not legally
responsibile for the safe care and accounting for
moneys thus received and I think that inasmuch as
this sytem is in vogue and is countenanced by the
State Board of Agriculture , the Secretary should give
a bond for the benefit of those who have placed
money in his hands, running either to a trustee for
the benefit of the depositors , or to the several depositors
as their interests might appear.

[End page 282]

[Begin page 283]

In reference to the matter of uniforms I am
informed that the State Board of Agriculture merely
acts as an agent to supply uniforms to the students
and that by the terms of the contract which it has
made with the makers of these uniforms , no liability
is incurred by the Board. For this reason I would
think that these accounts would not properly come
within the jurisdiction of your office.
I would state however, that it seems to me there
is no question of the impropriety of keeping these
various accounts in the same set of books in
which the state accounts are kept. and the moneys that
appertain to these special matters of board. deposits
and uniforms, should be kept entirely separate from state
funds.
Yours very respectfully
Horace M. Oren.
Attorney General.


[New system
of
accounts]
"I have to report