Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1916 [PAGE 156]

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MEETING OF DECEMBER 8, 1914.

The quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois was held at the Blackstone Hotel, in Chicago, on Tuesday, December 8, 1914, at 12.30 p. m. When the board convened the following members were present: President Abbott, Superintendent Blair, Mrs. Busey, Mrs. Evans, Mr. Hoit, Miss Watson. Mr. Meeker came in a little later and recorded his vote on the actions already taken. President James was present. MATTERS PRESENTED BY T H E PRESIDENT OF T H E UNIVERSITY. The regular order of business was suspended and the board proceeded immediately to the consideration of the following matters presented by President James: PROPOSAL TO SEND A C A D E T REGIMENT TO SAN FRANCISCO.' (1) A letter signed by the Commandant of Cadets, Maj. F . D. Webster, and Joseph N. Greene, Colonel of the Cadet Corps, asking for permission to make an effort to raise money to take a picked regiment of 832 men, including the band of the University Corps of Cadets, to the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco :

URBANAJ I I I . , , November 22, 1914.

To the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois: The Military Department respectfully petitions the Board of Trustees for permission to make every possible effort to raise money to take a picked regiment of 832 men, including the band of the University Corps of Cadets to the Panama Exposition at San Francisco. It is proposed to leave Champaign on June 19 at the close of the school year and to remain in San Francisco for a period of not less than two weeks or more than four weeks. It is estimated that the approximate cost of such an undertaking would be $80,000. In order to raise this sum, it is proposed to assess each man who goes on the trip fifteen dollars, thereby raising the sum of $12,000. It is further proposed to raise the remaining amount from three possible sources, to wit: by a special act of the State Legislature, by possible aid from the United States Government, or by aid from the Illinois Commission for the Panama Fair Exposition. Inasmuch as the State of Illinois must have an exhibit at the Fair, the Military Department is of the opinion that at this particular time a military exhibit would be especially appropriate. The part which college trained soldiers may play in the history of the country in the future may be a great one. The State would be splendidly represented by our Corps of Cadets. This petition has precedent. The University Corps was sent to the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. The State Legislature of Missouri by a special act appropriated enough money to send the Missouri Corps of Cadets to the Jamestown Exposition. The Military Department believes this undertaking would be a great good for both the University and the State of Illinois. I t therefore petitions that permission be given so that the Military Department may attempt to raise the necessary money. Respectfully submitted, Major of Infantry, Commandant

F. D. WEBSTER,

Cadet Colonel. The Counsel of Administration, after-discussing the proposition carefully voted that while there would be no objection to such a trip in itself it would be undesirable to have a request for an appropriation for this purpose presented to. the coming Legislature, useless to present it to the commission for the Panama Fair Exposition, and probably useless to present it to Congress. On motion of Superintendent Blair, this matter was referred to the President of the University, with power to act.

REQUEST FOR FIELD GUNS FOR THE CADET CORPS.

Jos. N. GREENE,

of Cadets.

(2) A letter from Maj. F. D. Webster, Professor of Military Science in the University, enclosing certain correspondence with the Adjutant General of the United States Army, in regard to the issue of field guns for the use of the Student Battery of Artillery: November 17, 19Vh President E. J. James, University of Illinois. SIR : I desire to invite your attention to enclosed letter and 2d endorsement thereon. I would be glad to have you consider this matter with a view to taking 156