14 BE CORD OF THE ALUMNI 



art was obtained in 1897, but it was constructed by the next ad- 

 ministration. This is now used for the Departments of English, 

 Journalism, and Printing, and has been named Kedzie Hall. 



The most prominent feature of the references to finances in 

 the earlier reports of the College is the idea that with the exception 

 of providing buildings the State would be at no expense in suppo^t- 

 ing the College as soon as the land endowment was sold. A 

 constant shortage of funds thus existed. The Farm Department 

 from early years made experiments in crop production, soil treat- 

 ment, etc. In 1887, Congress passed the Hatch act, by which 

 agricultural experiment stations were financed for each state. The 

 first appropriation under this act was for fifteen thousand dollars 

 for the year ending June 30, 1888. This appropriation has bsen 

 repeated for each year since. This addition to the income 

 enabled the College to enter upon much more extensive work in 

 experimentation, and to increase salaries of members of the Faculty. 

 In 1890, the budget of the College was still further augmented by 

 means of another act of Congress, due to Senator Morrill. Through 

 this act fifteen thousand dollars was appropriated for 1890, and 

 amounts increasing by one thousand dollars each year until ths 

 appropriation under this law reached twenty-five thousand dollars 

 a year. This fund is "applied only to instruction in agriculture, 

 the mechanic arts, the English language, and the various branches 

 of mathematics, physical, natural and economic science, with special 

 reference to the industries of life, and to the facilities for such 

 instruction." 



The income from the endowment fund was diminishing 

 because of the fall in interest rates, but the Hatch act and tlia 

 Morrill act of 1890, together, nearly trebled the College income. Not- 

 withstanding this, the growth of the College was such that by the 

 middle of the decade beginning with 1890 the need of additional 

 resources was felt severely. There was delay in payment of bills, 

 and salaries the latter part of the fiscal year could not be paid 

 until the next year's funds were available. 



In 1897, the legislature began making appropriations for 

 maintenance by an allowance of ten thousand dollars for the year 

 1896-'97, which was intended to make up the existing deficiency, 

 and five thousand dollars for each of the next two years. 



The last few years of the administration of President Fair- 

 child were affected by the prevailing economic conditions of the 

 time, and the varying views concerning their causes and remedies. 

 He had himself taught political economy in the College and it is 

 generally conceded that this delicate work was conducted in an 

 impartial manner. In 1894, the Board elected Thomas Elmer Will 

 as professor of economics in order that greater attention might 

 be given to questions touching political policies in the broad sense. 

 A course of weekly lectures, attendance upon which was required 



