Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1942 [PAGE 905]

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902

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[May 16

Today, under date of December 3rd, I received another letter on a University of Illinois letterhead signed by one Arthur H. Winakor, Statistician, in which the same questions are repeated that I was requested to answer by Mr Allen. As you very well understand, 1 want to render every service to the University of Illinois of which I am capable, but I want to know who I am writing to and what authority they have before I render opinions, as it may cause untold annoyance to you and other University of Illinois authorities. I believe that as you are the legal adviser of the University that you should call this matter to the attention of Dr. Willard or the Board of Trustees, as you may think best, and have some rule entered or understanding had that all inquiries concerning University affairs should be made through you. I have no hesitancy in answering the questions submitted by Mr. Winakor, as most of them I have already passed on, but I want to know by what authority he acts, and I would much prefer that he first consult the counsel of the University and if the matter is considered of sufficient importance then let yourself as such counsel request the opinion and it will be at once cheerfully given. Very truly yours,

OTTO KERNER

Attorney

General March 28, IQ3Q

Hon. Si'einbjorn Johnson, Counsel, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.

DEAR S I R :

I am enclosing, for such action as your wisdom and judgment may indicate, copy of a letter the original of which was received in this office from Mr. Blair, Dean of the College of Agriculture. I also enclose a copy of my reply to Mr. Blair. If administrative conditions will permit, I would appreciate it very much if matters could be so arranged that all legal matters concerning the University would be submitted through the President's office through your hands and after you have first had a chance to advise concerning the matters inquired about. Very truly yours,

J O H N E. CASSIDY

Attorney

General

Mr. Adams presented also the following letter written by him to President Meyer, asking to be relieved as a member of the special committee to confer with the Attorney General.

May I I , 1942 Dr. Karl Meyer, President Board of Trustees, University Cook County Hospital Chicago, Illinois

M Y DEAR Dr. MEYER:

of

Illinois

On October 21, 1941, Mr. James M. Cleary, the then President of the Board of Trustees, appointed a committee comprised of Mr. Livingston as Chairman, Mr. Davis and myself to call on the Attorney General of the State of Illinois in regard to the W r i g h t estate litigation in which the University of Illinois as a beneficiary of the wills of H a r r y G. W r i g h t and Harriette A. W r i g h t is keenly interested. Since October 21, 1941, this committee of the Board of Trustees has been unable to obtain an appointment for a conference with the Attorney General. As such, I request that I be relieved of the duties of service on this committee. As you are no doubt familiar, Sen. H a r r y G. Wright, after a conference with the President of the University and other administrative officials in which he advised them of his desires, executed his will on February 1, 1939.