Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1916 [PAGE 195]

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1915]

PROCEEDINGS OP THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

195

was necessary for all of the wells to work constantly to seventy-five per cent of their test efficiency in order to meet the daily demands. In connection with the operation budget, a detailed statement of the pay roll for December, 1914, was submitted, showing the number of employees in each class and the hourly wage rate received by each. The total number on the pay roll for the month was 214 and the total amount of pay roll was $11,417.88.

% NEEDS OF THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACY PRESENTED. Prof. W. B. Day, Acting Dean of the School of Pharmacy, presented the needs of the School of Pharmacy for the coming biennium. In connection with the budget, Dean Day discussed the availability of certain buildings on the West Side, near the College of Medicine, which had been offered for sale to the University for the uses of the School of Pharmacy.

NEEDS OF THE COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY PRESENTED.

Dr. F. B. Moorehead, Dean of the College of Dentistry, presented the needs of the College of Dentistry for the coming biennium. Dr. Moorehead emphasized the need of providing scientifically trained dentists to carry on the work of teaching and investigation in this field. MATTERS PRESENTED BY T H E PRESIDENT OF T H E UNIVERSITY. The following matters were presented by President James.

POLICY OF L E A S I N G S M I T H LANDS.

(1) A letter from Prof. George E. Frazer, Comptroller, concerning certain leases of the lands given to the Board of Trustees by Capt. Smith: January 18, 1915. President Edmund J. James3 University of Illinois. DEAR SIR: Under date of October 23, 1914, I wrote to you calling your attention to the lands acquired by gift from Capt. Thomas J. Smith, and the desirability of arranging new leases for such lands for the year beginning January 1, 1915. At the meeting of the Board of Trustees on December 8, 1914, this matter was referred by the board to the Committee on Agriculture, with the request for a recommendation upon the best policy to be pursued in handling these lands. The lease on the 240 acres in section 26 of township 20, between Capt. Smith and C. J. Foltz, of Philo, expired on January 1, 1915. This lease provided for the payment of rent to the amount of one-half the crop. The receipts of Capt. Smith on this 240-acre farm amounted, for 1914, to $1,884.53, or $7.85 per acre. The present tenant on the 80 acres near the Country Club is leasing the land on an oral continuation of a written lease that expired January 1, 1911. The understanding between Capt. Smith and Russell Arbuckle, of Champaign, the tenant, provides for rent to be paid to the extent of one-half the crop. During 1914, Capt. Smith received from this 80-acre farm $1,227.31, and expended $20 as his share of the threshing expenses on it. This 80 acres netted Capt. Smith $15.22 per acre. The 240-acre farm near Fisher was leased by Capt. Smith to George E. Jones, of Fisher, payment to be made on the basis of one-half of the crop. ,On August 24, 1912, Capt. Smith extended this lease to January 1, 1918. The deed of Capt. Smith conveying this farm to the University specifically provides that the grant is subject to tenants' leases. (Minute's of the Board of Trustees, for September 8, 1914, note on page 115.). I understand, however, that Mr. Jones is willing to make a new agreement with the Board of Trustees, if the board wishes to cancel the present lease". This 240-acre farm yielded a crop of corn in 1914 estimated at 32 bushels per acre. The share of Capt. Smith on this estimate would be 16 bushels per acre, which, a t a selling price of 65, cents per bushel, would net $10.40 per acre. These estimates are given as the corn has not yet been sold. The 214-acre farm in Ludlow Township was leased by Capt. Smith to David A. Howard under a lease which expired January 1, 1913. Mr. Howard is now occupying the land under an oral understanding with Capt. Smith that the payment of rent is to be one-half the crop. The corn from this farm has not been sold, but it is estimated at 35 bushels per acre. Under this estimate. Capt. Smith will receive 17% bushels per acre, which, at 65 cents per bushel, will yield $11.38 per acre for the year 1914. The tenants on these four farms are desirous of completing their arrangements for the year 1915. Capt. Smith recommends that the present tenants be retained, and each of the present tenants is willing to enter into a new lease with the Board of Trustees on a share of the crop basis. Dean Davenport and members of the Agricultural College Faculty tell me that this is the usual basis for renting land in this vicinity. I suggest, therefore, that the occupancy of these farms may be settled for the present year by leasing the farms to present tenants on a share of the crop basis. Written leases should be secured, providing for rotation of crops, removal of obnoxious weeds, and care and delivery of crops. If leases are arranged on the share basis,. provision should also be made for the appointment of some one from the staff of the University to inspect the operation of the farms imder the leases, and for the disposal of crops. Very truly yours,

GEO. E. FRAZBRJ Comptroller.