West Texas Historical and Scientific Society Publications, Bulletin 48, Number 5 Page: 20
76 p. : ill.View a full description of this periodical.
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SUL Ross STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE
telescope, now in process of construction for the California In-
stitute of Technology, will probably cost several millions of
dollars.
"It is obvious that few, if any, of the existing American
universities will be able to keep pace with this rapid increase
in cost of astronomical instruments. There are now approxi-
mately eighty more or less active observatories in North Am-
erica. Each is equipped with telescopes that range from a few
inches to a hundred inches in aperture. The total amount of
money invested in this equipment is appallingly great, especial-
ly since much of this investment has never given adequate
returns in the form of valuable scientific results. . . . There
can be no doubt that the spirit of rivalry of our universities
in striving to posses the largest or the most powerful telescope
in the world has brought about an overproduction of telescopes
that now rank as small or moderate in size, and a consequent
division of effort which might have been more usefully co-
ordinated.
Since the advancement of astronomy must depend upon large
and expensive equipment, the most natural course would be
one of co-operation between several institutions in the con-
struction and operation of one large instrument in place of sev-
eral small and inefficient ones. This simple fact has been
realized for a long time. The astronomical agreement between
the University of Chicago and the University of Texas is. to
my knowledge, the first definite attempt in this direction. The
agreement owes its inception to the active interest and whole-
hearted co-operation of the two presidents, Dr. Hutchins of
Chicago and Dr. Benedict of Texas. and its completion to the
broad-minded and progressive attitudes of the governing boards
of the two institutions. The arrangement provides that the
Regents of the University of Texas will build the telescope, the
revolving dome, and buildings, from a part of the bequest. All
salaries of the staff will be paid by the University of Chicago
and the operating expenses will be shared by the two uni-
versities." (This agreement is for a period of thirty years.)
In the summer of 1932, Dr. C. T. Elvy of the Yerkes staff
and Theodore H. Mehlin, visiting offered sites in Texas, reached
Alpine, and Dr. Horace W. Morelock, President of the Sul Ross
Teachers College, Alpine, and A. F. Robinson, Secretary of the
Alpine Chamber of Commerce, brought the two visitors to Fort
Davis to see the Davis Mountains. Walter S. Miller, a leading
citizen of Fort Davis, interested in every public enterprise,
joined the party. Two cars went to Juniper Flat, on the Folkes
Ranch, sixteen miles from Fort Davis. Mr. Miller told friends
afterward that when Dr. Elvey saw a nearby hill that was
called for a short time "Little Flat-Top," he exclaimed:20
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Sul Ross State Teachers College. West Texas Historical and Scientific Society Publications, Bulletin 48, Number 5, periodical, December 1, 1933; Alpine, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1065592/m1/22/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.