Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1916 [PAGE 273]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1915]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OE TRUSTEES.

273

May 2h, 1915. In re Claim against the estate of John R. Walsh. President Edmund J. James, University of Illinois. DEAR SIR: I beg- to report with reference to the above matter that a dividend of 40 per cent has been authorized by the Probate Court of Cook County on the judgment which the University recovered against the Walsh estate on January 24, 1913, for $11,372.16. This judgment was recovered on a claim against the estate by reason of Mr. Walsh being guarantor on a lease executed by the Board of Trustees to the Dearborn Medical College. The judgment was recovered before Judge Cummings, after something- of a contest with other creditors. I have received the dividend in the shape of a check for $5,064.20, which I have turned over to the Comptroller of the University. I am unable at this time to express any great confidence in a further collection of this claim. There is some pending litigation and some uncollected claims of doubtful character. The local attorney associated with me in the trial of the cause expresses the opinion that there will not be any considerable collection of the claims now in the hands of the administratrix, due the estate. Respectfully submitted, O. A. HARKERJ Legal Counsel.

These letters were received for record. At this point, Mr. Abbott returned and resumed the chair.

C O M P A N Y OF E N G I N E E R S IN BRIGADE.

(2) A letter from Maj. F. D. Webster, Professor of Military Science, enclosing a communication from the Cadet Colonel ana Brigade Commander, Joseph N.Greene, concerning- the formation of a Company of Engineers in the Cadet Brigade. April 28, 1915. President E. J. James, University of Illinois. DEAR SIR : I am enclosing you a letter written by Cadet Col. J; N. Greene after consultation with myself and members of the Engineering Faculty. His suggestion is in line with my own recommendation for the establishment of an Engineer Company next year but goes more into detail. My idea is ultimately to make this a Company of Engineer Militia like the Battery in onder to get the full equipment for engineers issued by the War Department to such companies in the State. The organization of an Engineer Company will assist the State in organizing its auxiliary units and will help us along the lines of training in field engineering and topographical work. It will increase the interest in military work at the University and probably help toward the establishment of the degree of B.S. in Military Science and Tactics. These suggestions are respectfully offered for your consideration. Very respectfully, Major of Infantry, From: Cadet Colonel Commanding the Brigade. to: Commandant of Cadets, University of Illinois. Subject: Formation of a Company of Engineers. 1. I have the honor to recommend that there be formed at the University of Illinois a pioneer Company of Engineers to be attached to the Cadet Brigade. 2. The members of this company would be undergraduates of the College of Engineering, Departments of Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering. In order that the men of this company might be better equipped and trained for the work required of them each man should have had at least one semester's work in infantry drill. 3. To secure the maximum benefit for both the Military Department and the men of the company the following plan of selection is suggested: (a) Each man shall have shown that he is a practical engineer and that he has maintained an average for the preceding semester of at least 80 per cent. (b) The Faculty of the College of Engineering shall recommend to the Military Department at the beginning of each semester such men as they feel fill the above requirements. Their names shall be arranged on the list in order of their estimated ability. (c) The Commandant of Cadets shall then select from the list the names of a sufficient number to fill the ranks of the company. In this selection the nominee's ability in the school of infantry should be carefully considered. '(d) Promotions and assignments after the first recommendations shall be made by the Commandant of Cadets as provided by the regulations of, the University. 4. The Commandant of Cadets and the Dean or Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering shall confer and arrange a schedule of lectures which shall be delivered by such members of the Engineering Faculty who volunteer to instruct the members of the Company upon those types of work which are usually taken up by Engineer Companies. 5. The organization of the company shall be as follows: 1 Captain. 1 Quartermaster Sergeant. 2 First Lieutenants. • 4 Sergeants. 1 Second Lieutenant. 8 Corporals. I First Sergeant. 54 Privates. 6. The officers of the company shall be appointed as provided by the regulations of the University. 7. It is recommended that the Board of Trustees of the University provide at this time the four additional scholarships required by tU§ establishment of this Professor of Military Science. April 27, 1915.

F. D.. WEBSTER,

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