Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1934 [PAGE 103]

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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IOI

driven by Mr. James S. Huse, of Sioux City, Iowa, driving east on Highway No. 121, and which, according to witnesses, failed to stop at the crossing, struck the right front side of the University car, causing it to swerve to the left and strike an electric light pole. Both cars, according to witnesses, were traveling at a rate of between forty and forty-five miles an hour. There is a corn field west of No. 25 and north of No. 121, which, at the time of the accident, made it impossible for the driver of a car driving south on No. 25 to see the east bound traffic on No. 121 until he was within about fifty feet of the intersection; the same was true of cars driving east on No. 121 with respect to cars driven south on No. 25. T h e corn has been topped since the accident. T h e responsibility for the accident rests on the driver of the east-bound car because he failed to stop before crossing. Mr. Morrow was killed almost instantly, Mr. Griffith suffered a scalp wound, minor face cuts, three broken ribs, and a fractured knee and is still confined to the hospital. The occupants of the car from Iowa were Mr. and Mrs. James S. Huse and their daughter, Doris. Mr. Huse and his daughter died from injuries and Mrs. Huse recovered. The University car was completely wrecked. I recommend that the University Counsel be authorized and directed to take what steps he deems advisable to protect the University's interests in this matter and to institute such legal proceedings as may be necessary. T h e damages in which the University is interested are whatever amount it will be required to pay the estate of Mr. J. A. Morrow under the compensation law, compensation to Mr. Griffith for his injuries, and for property damage to the car. So far the University Counsel has not been able to determine the extent of the insurance coverage on the Iowa car.

On motion of Mr. Barr, this matter was referred to President Chase and Judge Johnson, with authority to take such steps as are necessary to protect the interests of the University. On motion of Mr. Armstrong, the Comptroller was authorized to make payment of $2500 death benefit to the designated beneficiary of Mr. Morrow, in accordance with the rules of the Board and the terms of employment of the deceased. The appropriation from the Reserve and Contingent fund was made by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Barr, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Grigsby, Mrs. Hopkins, Dr. Noble, Mr. Trees, Mr. Williams; no, none; absent, Mr. Emmerson. On motion of Mr. Trees, the President of the Board was requested to appoint a special committee to consider the liability of the University in cases where both death benefits and workmen's compensation may be involved. President Barrett appointed Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Barr, and Mr. Williams to serve on this committee.

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF BUILDINGS (5) A recommendation that Mr. T. J. Showers, Assistant Superintendent of Buildings, who was retired under the rules of the Board effective September I, be continued in service for another year and that he be appointed Acting Superintendent of Buildings at a salary of $4200 a year, vice Mr. Joseph A. Morrow, deceased. O n m o t i o n of M r s . G r i g s b y , t h i s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s a p p r o v e d .

DEATH BENEFIT OF DEAN CLARK

(6) As Dean Clark's death occurred shortly after the July meeting and as the Board was not to have another meeting until September, I authorized the Comptroller to make payment of the death benefit due in accordance with the rules of the Board and the terms of Dean Clark's employment, to avoid a two-months delay. I request that my action be confirmed and that an appropriation of $2,000 be made from the Reserve and Contingent Fund for this purpose.

On motion of Mr. Barr, this action was approved and the appropriation was made, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Armstrong, Mr.