Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1914 [PAGE 173]

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1913]

PROCEEDINGS OP THE BOARD OP TRUSTEES.

171

January 23, 1913. President Edmund J. James* University of Illinois. DEAR S I R : At the meeting of the Board of Trustees on January 7, 1913 [p. 159], a recommendation made by the chairman of the Finance Committee was approved providing that "the one in charge of dairy manufactures furnish a suitable bond and be empowered to deposit the necessary receipts from that department in a local bank and draw voucher checks over his signature for the purpose of paying farmers for dairy products delivered to our creamery." As an administrative officer of the board, I am desirous of carrying out the will of the board in every respect. But after conferring with members of the Dairy Husbandry Department and members of the staff of the business office, it is my opinion that payments can be expeditiously made for dairy products without the creation of a separate cash fund in the hands of a member of the Dairy Husbandry Department. I- have examined the bond of Mr. Oren E. Staples, Chief Clerk, and am of the opinion that there will be no objection to the drawing of checks for the purpose of paying for dairy products against the deposit made in his name at the First National Bank of Champaign. I respectfully recommend, therefore, that the chier clerk be authorized by the board to draw checks against his deposit as chief clerk, in payment of bills not exceeding $50 certified to him for payment by the Dairy Husbandry Department, providing that the checks of the chief clerk shall be countersigned by the comptroller, and providing that the chief clerk shall be reimbursed for the amount of such checks in the same way that he is now reimbursed for petty cash payments. My recommendation in this particular involves no departure from the present business procedure other than that of authorizing the chief clerk, under the direction of the comptroller, to pay out sums not exceeding $50 by check as well as by cash. I recommend, therefor, that the action taken by the board at its meeting on January 7, in regard to the method of payments on dairy materials, be reconsidered and that the plan I have herein suggested be adopted. Very truly yours, Professor of Public Accounting, University Comptroller. It was voted to reconsider the action on this subject taken by the board at its meeting of January 7, 1913, (p. 159), and to approve the recommendation of the Comptroller as outlined in the foregoing letter. The vote was as follows: Ayes, Mr. Abbott, Mrs. Bahrenburg, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Evans, Mr. Grout, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Hoit, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moore; noes, none; absent, Mrs. Busey, Mr. Deneen, Mr. Meeker. The board adjourned. W. L. ABBOTT, President. C. M. MCCONN, Secretary.

GEO. E. FRAZER,