October 20, 1914

To the Journal:

During my entire administration I have so often expressed the thought that one of the greatest immediate needs of the University is an adequate physical plant that it is now hardly necessary to again remind your readers that I have never placed any special emphasis on just how or where that physical plant should be developed. I have again and again paraphrased Lincoln's worlds that I would secure if I could an adequate University plant by leaving it all where it is by moving part to the farm or by moving it all to the Farm if the people so desire. I think my attitude in this matter has been very clearly understood. Those who have followed my course closely know that when removal appeared to be defeated in 1911 I did everything in my power to secure the law building at the city campus though I knew this would work against ultimate removal. It is equally true that in 1913 when there appeared to be no prospects of securing any large sum un any other way, I lent my influence for removal in spite of the opposition of many of my best friends. When removal again seemed to be defeated I urged as strongly as I could the appropriations that looked to the development of two campuses independently. My course at all times has been entirely consistent in endeavoring to secure a larger physical plant and relief from the congested conditions that now prevail. Pledged as I have been since the close of the last Legislative session to absolute neutrality on the location question I appreciate the fact that so few of those who feel strongly on the subject have endeavored to cause me to violate or seem to violate this pledge. Since however an occasional effort is made to make it appear that I favor one proposition rather than the other it may not be out of place to again state that I regard it as unfair to quote me either for removal or extension. Anything that I have said in the past applies to conditions then prevailing and not to conditions under which the voters this fall are to settle the question. I regard the settlement of the question as the paramount issue and I shall personally vote for this side that I belive is most likely to secure a sufficient number of votes to settle the question for all time.

Yours very truly,