Mayor Reyburn told of his first
experience with the college when
he was chairman of the appropria-
tions committee. "I came, I saw,
and I was conquered," he said.
"The college at the time was small.
When I first served in the legisla
ture one never heard a good word
for it. Every farmer in the state
was opposed to it. The greatest
thing in private or public life is to
be approachable, and to listen to
every man, no matter who he is,
who wishes to explain the thing he
wants to accomplish. I paid no at
tention to the requests for aid for
the State College at first, for I con
fess I thought little of it. The late
President Atherton called upon me.
and I was 'so impressed with the
earnestness of the man that I agreed
to have him explain to me all of his
plans. As a result the next legis
lature appropriated $149,000 for the
college. The appropriations com
mittee was prejudiced until we
visited the grounds. Two of the
members were practical farmers
who had not believed in what they
called fancy farming. They also
became convinced. Years have
passed since that day, but I am glad
that we decided to let the , state aid
this institution. I believe we should
not stop now, however, but should
lift this college up to the highest
plane. * I am here not as
mayor of Philadelphia, but as a
citizen sympathizing with the institu
tion and wishing you godspeed."
General manager Atterbury, of
the Pennsylvania i ailroad, who had
accompanied Mayor Reyburn and
his son from Philadelphia, urged the
importance of "profoundly touch
ing" this next legislature.
Representative Cox, of Pittsburg,
caused somewhat of a sensation
when he told that he might be tim
ber for speaker of the next House.
He also stated his belief that there
will be a raid on the state treasury,
because the legislators were deeply
THE STATE COLLVMAN
impressed'by their visit here.
Senator Blewitt also succeeded in
springing a political surprise when
he predicted that mayor ' Reyburn
would be the next governor of
Pennsylvania.
Representative Creasy emphasized
the need of more educated farmers.
"Today competition has become so
keen," he said, "that not only must
they be posted in one, but in a
dozen different subjects. I believe
that there is no greater opening in
any field today in this common
wealth than in agriculture, and I
commend this institution for extend
ing its work so that rising young
farmers can receive material
benefit."
At the conclusion of the program
luncheon was served at McAllister
Hall to seventy three ofJhe guests,
and twelve were entertained at the
President's house. A number of the
guests left on Saturday, but some
remained until Monday.
Among the prominent visitors was
J. W. Walker, a prominent retired
manufacturer of Pittsburg. This
was his first visit to the college,
and he was greatly impressed,
particularly with the college farm.
He expects to return during farm
ers' week, and will bring his farm
foremen with him for the week.
The Hospital.
A committee from the Woman's
Literary club, consisting of . Mrs.
Runkle, Miss Harkness, Mrs. D. G.
Meek, Mrs. D. F. Kapp, and Mrs".
W. S. Glenn, visited the hospital
with President Sparks recently and
examined it with a view to possible
improvements.
The interior of the building was
found to be in very good condition,
for which the housekeeper' was com
mended. There are three rooms
kept in readiness for patients. Two
of these were furnished by the
Woman's Literary club, and the
third by the class of 1907. All
these furnishings are well cared for.
At the request of President Sparks,
the kitchen has been - partitioned off
from the other rooms of the hos
pital, greatly improving the sanitary
arrangement. A further and. much
needed change is that allroofusu‘ed
by the housekeeper should be Coin
pletely isolated from the room used
by patients. Ihis would necessarily
involve considerable expense. There
was no heat in the hospital at the
time of the committee's inspection
and there was that cold, chilly at
mosphere which is arways'attehdant
upon unused, unheated rooms.
Furnace fires should be lighted 'at
intervals, whether the building con
tains patients or not. Moreover
there should be additional means of
heating provided for the severest
winter weather when - the building is
occupied.
Externally the outlook is gloomy.
The building is placed at - the edge
of a dense grove and dead leaves lie
a foot deep at its very door; the
trees are so near and so dense 'as to
exclude the sunlight. Theie faCts
the committee resolved to report to
the superintendent of kroiipcii and
buildings, and ask that they be
remedied; also tht telephone utili
ties be provided for emergencies.
There is need of a few cooking
utensils, dishes, napkins, and some
silver for the use of nurse and pa
tients. These the comm_ ittee would
like to provide and has decided 'to
ask the members of the literary club
to make aThankSgivitig offering*Or
this purpose.
The members of the hospital
committee expect to put theinselVes
in communication with the nurse in
case of illness and to be of what - ever
service they can be to add - to' the
patients' comfort and cheer.
W. I. Pollock 'OB is now located
in Chicago With the ChiCago, Mil
waukee and St. Paul R. R. Dni
ing the summer he was engaged in
civil engineering work under''' E.' S.
Chase at Eaglesmere, Pa.