Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1926 [PAGE 592]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1926]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

589

able to us, brings a net advantage to the people at large by avoiding interference with private business. Therefore, before w e can decide whether or notfinishedarticles should be sold, at any rate in any large amount, we must determine whether an equally net advantageous use can be made of them from the viewpoint of the taxpayer. Of course, if we are making articles not on the market and offering them to high schools, there can be no objection. Another point that is raised in connection with the whole matter is whether the instruction involved could not be given with the result of producing articles that would not compete with the products of private business. W h e n the question has been decided on the above principle whether or not an article m a y properly be sold as a by-product of our educational work, then it is for the Comptroller to set the price as he has been doing, and to see to it that the business connected therewith is properly conducted. Leaving the whole matter now to you to see that this policy is applied, I a m Very truly yours, David Kinley President Dean Mumford presented the following statement of the policy of the College: T o conduct the courses offered in the College of Agriculture and the investigations of the Agricultural Experiment Station it is necessary to maintainflocksand herds, orchards, gardens, and laboratories for the handling of meat and meat products, fruits, vegetables, butter, cheese, milk, cream, and ice cream. W h e n these products have served their purpose they must be disposed of. In connection with field experiments and live stock feeding investigations w e have a considerable quantity of products. These products, too, must be disposed of. The policy has been first to keep down such commercial activities to the lowest volume consistent with the needs of the students and the investigations in the Experiment Station; second, to dispose of the products in a way to avoid waste and to secure the largest returns possible and at the same time create a minimum of competition with local business interests handling similar products. In other words, w e have felt that it is better policy to sacrifice something on the returns which the University receives from these products than to do anything which seemed to involve unfair competition. Professor Ruehe made a statement concerning the purpose and extent of the activities in Dairy Husbandry. The Committee took a recess from 12 m. to 2 p. m . After the recess, the same persons were present as in the morning, and, during part of the afternoon, M r . Morey. Professors Burlison, Blair, and Rusk made statements concerning the commercial activities of the departments of Agronomy, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry, respectively. The Committee is of the opinion that the commercial activities of the College of Agriculture are not greater than is advisable at the present time to meet the legitimate needs of instruction and experimentation, and that these activities are apparently conducted in a business-like manner. The Committee heard statements from Dean Mumford and Professor Rusk concerning the proposal to have animals slaughtered in the old dairy creamery. T h e Committee recommends that this activity be conducted in some other place. T h e Committee recommends that the report on the Carter-Pennell farms be accepted. H. E. Cunningham Mary E. Busey Clerk J. W. Armstrong O n motion of Mrs. Evans, the recommendation concerning the slaughtering of animals was concurred in. was accepted. of Dr. Noble, the report on the Carter-Pennell farms O n motion