Correspondence (outgoing), 1904

[From] Hotel Del Monte Del Monte. Calif.

[To] Susan L. Mille, Mills College, California

[postmark Delmonte July 14, 6 PM, 1904, CA]

COPY.

CAIRO, EGYPT.

JANUARY 7TH [1904]

Mr George E. Crothers,

San Francisco, U.S.A.

Dear Mr Crothers,

Your last communication has just reached me, and I will answer it at once, as I am about to leave Cairo for Luxor.

I have been very much interested in the proceedings of the Trustees and think they are taking a step in the right direction when they are arranging to take upon themselves the organization of some discipline throughout the different departments of the University. You and I know how slack and irregular the internal affairs of the University have been run - waste and indifference to the care of the property - trifles which seemed almost beneath my notice, but which were all an indication to me of the indifference as to the expenditure of money. I used to be so impressed with my own, almost foolish care, even in my own household affairs, as to whether there was a spirit of carefulness or wastefulness in the administration of my household, because as a child it had been taught me that "wilful waste brings woeful want." It is my nature to be careful, therefore you can well imagine how it grieved and worried me to witness the lack of care exhibited at the University.

I well remember walking through the machine shops with Mr. Stanford; it was on a Sunday, and we found the doors and windows open, beautiful and expensive steel tools lying about uncovered, and I shall never forget the sad look that came over his face and the remark he made: - " I have spent over 60,000 dollars in equiping this department - would you think it? Is there any evidence of care here?" I made no answer, for my heart was too full, and I did not wish him to feel worse than he already did. How many times since then has my heart ached, and I have wondered, if the Institution had been endowed with twice the sum it has, if it would ever be sufficient under existing circumstances; consequently you can well appreciate how

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pleased I am to see this effort on the part of the Trustees to establish order and discipline.

Refering to the "Report of the Committee upon Audit ing, Organization and Rules, Part Two, to be considered Dec. 26. 1903," I have read the following paragraph with particular inte[r] est:- " Each year, before the February meeting of the Board the Finance Committee should ascertain the probable gross income of the Trust for the coming year and after deducting from it the expense of managing the property, they should then set aside amounts nec essary to complete contracts on new buildings, a cer tain amount towards an insurance fund and other amounts, for possible depreciation of the property & securities and unexpected contingencies. Then what remains would be available for the current expenses of the University."

The above paragraph from your report was of special interest to me. It has always been my intention to keep down the number of students, not increase above the present number 1600 until all the buildings which are now being erected are entirely completed and paid for, then the income could be used for the running expenses of the University, always excepting the reserve fund which I placed in my mind at about 200,000 dollars (two hundered thousand) a year.

I found it quite difficult during my ten years of ad ministration to keep the President within a certain limit. His ambition seemed to be numbers and a large institution, which would naturally call for an increase in the number of professors and instructors. This disposition on his part to make the University popular because of numbers, was quite a serious feature for me to contend with. According to my calculations as to the income, if my ideas were carried out, there was sufficient income to finish and complete all the buildings except the new library, which I shall build myself out of my own private resources. But it must be born in mind that the University cannot expand in number of professors or students until the work of building is completed.

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I notice on page 15 of your report you say:- "When a department head needs some article, he makes a requisition for same and without signing it, presents it to the President of the University for approval. If the President approves it, he sends it to the Treasurer Mr. Lathrop, who scrutinizes it carefully, and approves it or rejects it wholly or in part.

In regard to the above, I will say I found it absolutely necessary for Mr. Lathrop to scrutinize these requisitions carefully, because the majority of them were never scrutinized or examined by the President at all, but were signed by his clerk Mr. Clark, and Mr. Clark's handwriting is a facsimile of Dr. Jordan's. When these requisitions were afterwards brought to Dr. Jordan's notice to find out the necessity for them, it was found that he knew nothing of the requisition and we had many unpleasant experiences and I gave my brother full authority to approve or reject any of these requisitions. Your plan for having the requisitions made by a Department Head and then having it handed to the President for approval is all very well in theory, but the President many times signs the requistions without knowing whether or not the things are absolutely necessary.

I will say nothing more about University affairs. I am endeavoring to the best of my ability to release my mind from all care and anxiety. I feel that the work is in the hands of noble and good men who appreciate fully all the University has cost my husband and myself. I do not mean in a money sense, but in OVERCOMING. I always have before me the beautiful teachings of the New Testament:- "To him that overcometh will be placed a white stone at his head." And I will think, my dear friend, that the white stone has been placed at the head of my husband.

Jane L. Stanford

Lord and Saviour. I became quite interested in a Parsis family of Bombay. A father and four grown daughters very beautiful girls, highly educated cultured in the extreme. When I reached Bombay, they persisted in showing me attentions. I accepted a tea reception at their house a veritable palace. Their costumes jewels were rare, but their pearls would pay of the war debts of Japan. So large one could scaresly believe their eyes. They were just returning from an European tour of a year. They go to Cal next summer. I gave a letter to Dr Jordan and my brother - the latter will lunch them. I have made some valuable friends whom I prize highly Christian friends

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Jan 7th 04

J.L.S. [stamp]

Mrs Timothy Hopkins

My dear May.

It gave me very much pleasure to get your precious words of love and ever more emotion was felt when I read dear Lydia's sweet letter to me. I think I realize fully what a thrill it is to her to live away from the attractions of a life in the country and close to the beauties of nature and more especially the favors of our blessed