April 4, 1917

To the News:

Your reporter this morning asked me by what authority I had offered the use during war of the mechanical laboratories to the federal government. In this connection permit me to say that the control of the University rests according to the constitution in the Board of Regents but the Chancellor is delegated to do what he thinks for the good of the institution in the name of the Board when the Board is not in session. Such acts naturally come up for confirmation by the Regents at the next meeting. In the case of offering the laboratories to the federal authorities informal approval has been given by a majority of the Regents so that the ratification of this act is perfectly certain. It seems to me that the propriety of placing every facility of the University at the disposal of the federal government will not be questioned by any true patriot and unless the News considers the matter urgent or important my suggestion would be that nothing be printed in regard to the matter.