Ohio History Journal

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE OHIO STATE

ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

April 12, 1946, Meeting in Executive Session at 11:00 A.M.

and 4:00 P.M.

 

The following members of the Board were present: Johnson,

Eagleson, Miller, Amos, Belden, Coppock, Florence, Holzer, Mac-

Lean, Rightmire, Wittke, and ex-officio, Governor Lausche and

Hissong.

A tentative program covering the Society's activities for the

coming year being presented by the President, it was moved by

Mr. Amos that it be adopted; seconded by Mr. Miller, the adop-

tion was approved unanimously, as here set forth.

No. 1--That the President be empowered to terminate the

tenure of the retiring Secretary as of June 30, 1946, and termi-

nate the tenure of the retiring Director as of December 31, 1946.--

That such retirement be noted with deserved honors, on the

basis of long service and high merit.--

That the title of emeritus be awarded to each.--

That their fine talents, and experience be not lost to this in-

stitution.--

That they be retained for special detached service to be

designated by the President and compensated for on an honorar-

ium basis.--

That certain funds in the Society treasury be made collateral

for this purpose.--

All under such terms and conditions as may be acceptable to

Director Shetrone and Secretary Lindley and within the Society's

capacity to afford, and subject to the approval of the Executive.

Committee.

No. 2--That the Board proceed at once to the selection of a

Director, in fact, if not immediately in name, in order to facilitate

the prospective shifting of personnel and implementing of a new

program.

That the Board recognize the principle of promotion in such

selection where such principle is applicable.

259

• 1
 

260   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

That the Director be chosen with special reference to admin-

istrative and promotional ability, and looking to the near future

addition of literary and scientific talent unhampered by executive

duties, for development of the Wittke plan.

No. 3--That the Society finance the employment of a travel-

ing agent for one year at least for such service as the Board may

direct.

No. 4--That, in order to provide more income to the So-

ciety's treasury, for use in activities not provided for in the state

budget, a plan of admission charges to parks and institutions such

as have something worthwhile to offer to the public, be studied,

determined, and if approved, be put in force before the first of

June, 1946.

No. 5--That an amendment to the Constitution be initiated

looking to increases in membership fees in the various categories,

the present fees being inadequate if not archaic.

No. 6--That the Board of Trustees reiterate its expressed

intent to promote a more rapid development of the Society's in-

terest in its Library, in historical research and literary production,

and that Dr. Wittke be given widest latitude in directing this

fundamental activity.

No. 7--That it be the intent of the Trustees to review ex-

ploratory activities in Ohio archaeological research, in which there

is a state-wide interest.

No. 8--That in furtherance of the preceding resolutions 6

and 7 the Trustees contemplate the organization of the Ohio

History Press, Inc., a subsidiary of the Ohio State Archaeological

and Historical Society.

No. 9--That the Trustees conduct a friendly and unselfish

campaign to organize new and strengthen existing county histori-

cal societies, as contemplated in Senate Bill #240, passed by

the legislature and signed by the Governor, providing county

financial support for such worthy organizations upon affiliation

with this parent organization.

No. 10--That the attorney general be requested to prepare

an opinion as to the ownership of the contents of the central and

other museums and institutions within the Board's jurisdiction.

• 2
 

MINUTES OF THE SOCIETY'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES      261

 

That an inventory of such contents be prepared for the So-

ciety's and the state's information, such inventory to be accom-

plished for presentation not later than the next annual meeting.

No. 11--That the President be empowered to appoint a body

to be known as Society Counsellors with places at the Trustees'

table, such counsellors to be chosen for their respective talents

and availability, to sit individually or collectively upon invitation.

No. 12--That it be the intent of this body to receive for final

consideration no proposals of an administrative nature until and

if first screened through the Director and the Executive Com-

mittee.

No. 14--That the President be required to prepare in ad-

vance programs for stated meetings copies of which shall be

mailed to Trustees and Counsellors not less than one week in

advance.

No. 15--That a competent stenographer be furnished by the

Director to cover board meetings and prepare minutes for the

record, copies of which shall be mailed to members within one

week.

No. 16--That more emphasis be placed upon the Executive

Committee, its duties and its powers, the more easily to conduct

the current business of the Society.

Finance Note--It is not your President's intention to recom-

mend the dissipation of the Society's private funds, nor does he

wish to impose his pattern of a financing plan upon the experts

who will comprise a committee therefor, but--

It seems reasonable that the Society's credit should be used

now to make loans for certain specified purposes, to be repaid

within a specified time, all depending for amortization upon a

newly adopted program for increased income.

For the outline of such a plan your President will call upon

Mr. Miller, Mr. Coppock, and the Vice Director if the two trus-

tees desire his services.

*  *  *

A letter from Director Shetrone was read, sympathetically

discussed and referred to the President under item one of the

foregoing set of principles.

• 3
 

262   OHIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL QUARTERLY

 

The Trustees adopted appropriate resolutions on the death

of Dr. Elbert J. Benton, Director of the Western Reserve His-

torical Society, who died at his home in Cleveland, March 28,

1946.

A Resolution was adopted conferring upon Mrs. Jessie Camp-

bell Coons the title of Benefactress.

The attendance of Governor Frank J. Lausche at meetings

of the Trustees, the Society and Dinner celebration from  11:00

A.M. to 11:00 P.M. was noted with enthusiastic appreciation.

Re-election of staff and employees, subject to study by the

Treasurer for reconciliation with finances, was approved.

Incumbent officers of the Board were formally re-elected for

the Society year.

Then adjourned.

ARTHUR C. JOHNSON, SR., President.

HARLOW LINDLEY, Secretary.

• 4