Jackson Advocate

Hale Ousted As Tenn. State President

Will Remain On Pay Roll At Same Salary

NASHVILLE—(ANP)—Ouster of Dr. W. J. Hale, president of Tennessee A. and I. College for thirty-two years, came late Friday, according to Education Commissioner B. O. Duggan, chairman of the state board of education. The announcement likewise disclosed that Dr. Hale will remain on the pay roll of the state department of education, where he will be assigned to promotional work and writing a history of A. and I. College. Under the position offered Dr. Hale, he will receive $5,000 annually, the same as he drew as president of the college, Commissioner Duggan said.

He revealed also that Dr. Hale will be succeeded by Dr. W. S. Davis, professor of agricultural education at the college. Davis will serve as acting president of the school.

Shortly after the board convened Friday morning in the conference room of the governor's office, Dr. Hale was summoned and was allowed to make a statement, presumably in answer to the audit. He later declined to comment on this appearance, and board members, together with Duggan, assumed a similar attitude toward this appearance.

Dr. Hale's prominence as an educator and leader prompted diplomatic action on the part of board members. Duggan would not comment on what action the board recommended on an audit of the college, or whether the audit contained any irregularities or defalcations on the administration of the college. He was also silent on whether there would be any further action by the board on the audit which has been in progress for more than two years. Concerning the entire conference, the commissioner said he was not authorized to make any statement other than the announcement of the change in the presidency.

It was understood from other sources, however, that an effort was made to get Dr. Hale to resign, thereby saving the board from releasing him publicly.

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