Oral History Program Lucile Parry Peterson Interviewed by John R. Sillito 15 April 1980 Oral History Program Weber State University Stewart Library Ogden, Utah Lucile Parry Peterson Interviewed by John R. Sillito University Archivist 15 April 1980 Copyright © 2012 by Weber State University, Stewart Library iii Mission Statement The Oral History Program of the Stewart Library was created to preserve the institutional history of Weber State University and the Davis, Ogden and Weber County communities. By conducting carefully researched, recorded, and transcribed interviews, the Oral History Program creates archival oral histories intended for the widest possible use. Interviews are conducted with the goal of eliciting from each participant a full and accurate account of events. The interviews are transcribed, edited for accuracy and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewees (as available), who are encouraged to augment or correct their spoken words. The reviewed and corrected transcripts are indexed, printed, and bound with photographs and illustrative materials as available. The working files, original recording, and archival copies are housed in the University Archives. Project Description The Weber State College Oral History Program was created in the early 1970s to “record and document, through personal reminiscences, the history, growth and development of Weber State College.” Through interviews with administrators, faculty and students, the program’s goal was to expand the documentary holdings on Weber State College and its predecessor entities. From 1970 to 1976, the program conducted some fifteen interviews, under the direction of, and generally conducted by Harold C. Bateman, an emeritus professor of history. In 1979, under the direction of archivist John Sillito, the program was reestablished and six interviews were conducted between 1979 and 1983. Additional interviews were conducted by members of the Weber State community. ____________________________________ Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account. It reflects personal opinion offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ____________________________________ Rights Management This work is the property of the Weber State University, Stewart Library Oral History Program. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: Peterson, Lucile Parry, an oral history by John R. Sillito, 15 April 1980, WSU Stewart Library Oral History Program, University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. Lucile Parry Peterson 1 Abstract: The following is an oral history interview with Lucile Parry Peterson. Ms. Peterson served as secretary to President Tracy from 1924 to 1932. The interview was conducted on April 15, 1980 by John R. Sillito in order to gather Ms. Peterson’s recollections and experiences with President Tracy and Weber College. In this interview, Ms. Peterson first gives a written account of her memories with President Tracy; following this account is the interview with Mr. Sillito. Blaine Peterson is also present. Memories of Aaron Ward Tracy I am Lucile Parry Peterson and the date is April 15, 1980. I have been asked to tell of my association with Aaron Ward Tracy a former president of Weber Junior College. When I was 16, instead of completing my senior year at Ogden High School, I transferred to the Weber Junior College with the intention of completing my high school credits at that institution, and of taking some college work my first year. After having won the typing contest, I was one day called into President Tracy's office and asked to do secretarial work for him. This was the beginning of an eight year experience under President Tracy, with the exception of a year in New York City studying music, and a year at the Utah State Agriculture College in Logan. I soon found that my main occupation was the taking of minutes. I was to attend the faculty meetings, the board of trustees meetings, the daily devotional meetings and the alumni organization meetings and take minutes at each of these. During the first two years I was often told by President Tracy, "You are writing the history of an important 2 institution." After typing the minutes I would present them to President Tracy for editing. Some changes would be made and then they would be typed and placed in the large, hardbound minute book. I believe this is why some of the details of the years from 1924 to 1932 were impressed so vividly on my mind. The sad thing is that all of these minutes of President Tracy's years at Weber have been lost. Dr. Robert Clark told me that an extensive search has been made and that no minutes have been found. When the college moved to its new location on Harrison Avenue, all the minutes were left in the Moench Building. Later they were brought up to the new campus and placed in an unused elevator shaft. That is the last anyone remembers seeing them. It is believed that when the elevator shaft was needed the boxes containing the minutes were carried to the Ogden waste disposal. A valuable detailed history was lost at that time. Many of my friends, with more financial means than mine, had gone to the University of Utah, the Utah Agriculture College, and some to other universities throughout the country. President Tracy was concerned about the young people growing up in this area who could not afford a college education. Ogden was definitely an agricultural center at that time. The papers were full of farming activities; the stock shows were given great prominence in the newspapers, and by the city officials. I have heard President Tracy say many times, "This community thinks more of breeding cattle than of promoting their greatest asset, the young people who are not encouraged to continue their education." The board of trustees at this time consisted of the Presidents of the seven stakes, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Weber Stake, Ogden Stake, 3 North Weber Stake, Mt. Ogden Stake, Morgan Stake, Davis Stake and Summit Stake. Thomas E. McKay, the brother of David O. McKay, was the president of the board. The other members were John V. Bluth, George E. Browning, Thomas L. Allen, Robert I. Burton, Henry H. Blood (who later became governor) and Howard Randall. I admired these men as I watched them struggle with their many problems. At this time there were 15 faculty members including the registrar and the secretary to the president. They were John G. Lind, Physical Science; Lydia H. Tanner, Domestic Art and Science; John Q. Blaylock, History and Political Science; Robert J. Evans, Biological Science; Merlon Stevenson, Mathematics and Athletics; Frances Barber, Education; A. Leon Winsor, Psychology and Education; Marion T. Reed, Kenneth G. Farley, and Grace Wood, English; Janice Ridges, Modern Languages, Lester Hinchcliff, Music; Eva Browning, Librarian. The enrollment had not reached 300. The president's office was in the northeast corner of the Moench Building—that beautiful building built during the years 1889 to 1891, and dedicated by Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. A great sacrifice had been made to build the building, by the original board of trustees, and by the members of the church in this area. As I took dictation from President Tracy, I could see through the windows the tall horse chestnut trees, the park and the beautiful mountains. I have studied President Tracy many times, a man of slight frame, blonde hair with a pinkish-red tinge that would look like a halo when the sun shone on him from the back. He had refined features, a determined mouth, piercing eyes covered by pinch nose glasses. He would often say to 4 me, "I have to prove the worth of this institution to the community and to the church. It must be established so that permanent growth will continue." In the Board of Trustees meetings he was constantly educating these conservative men to the needs of the students; mentally, physically, aesthetically, socially, religiously. He would argue and fight determinedly for the things that he felt were necessary. I remember distinctly one time when the Church Commissioner of Education attended the meeting. President Tracy was presenting his plan for the coming year, stating how it could be accomplished, that it must be accomplished, so that the school will grow. The commissioner became very angry, "The school must not grow," he said. "We haven't the funds to care for a big school." I can see President Tracy as he said, "This school will grow. It will not only become one of the best small colleges in the nation, but some day it will be one of the largest colleges in our state." The board members laughed at him, but President Tracy sincerely believed what he had said. The faculty meetings were held early in the morning before the first classes began. Problems of the week were discussed, but more often President Tracy was encouraging the faculty members, "We must have quality education, we are limited in our means and facilities but there is no limit to our concern for each student." I can almost hear his voice now saying, "Dr. Lind, continue to give students an appreciation and understanding of the natural processes in the world. You now have one of the best, and most efficiently equipped, geology departments in the state, prepare yourself to give complete three-year courses in geology and mineralogy." Dr. 5 Lind was then planning a summer trip to Spain, to collect geology and mineral specimens. "Sister Tanner, we have a well equipped cafeteria that serves the teachers and students of our school and other schools as well. Elevate the home to a higher plane by giving extensive training in the science of home management. Work toward a three-year course." "Brother Blaylock, we know that history enriches life and helps to solve life's problems. The social science center of our library must become one of the finest junior college libraries in the West. Help students to understand society and then formulate a program that will better society. Help them to become better citizens. Ogden will eventually become industrial, and the entire city will become the laboratory for your department." "Brother Evans, lay well the foundation for our students who will later enter the medical profession. Brother Winsor and Miss Barber, the standards in the teaching profession must be raised." "Brother Stevenson, the students in your department will increase as Ogden becomes industrialized. We will meet the needs of the city in this field." "Miss Reed, Mr. Farley, Miss Wood, we must have an exceptional English language and literature department. I will head this department. The English language will be effectively and consistently taught. We will bring in as many teachers as necessary to keep the classes small. Encourage the students to participate in the oratorical and extemporaneous speaking contests." 6 "Miss Ridges, we are making an effort to purchase Dictaphones for your department, this will be helpful in learning foreign languages. Teachers in this department should plan summers in Europe." "Brother Hinchcliff, I hope you will combine the men’s and women’s glee clubs, and give us some outstanding musicals." Brother Hinchcliff said his plans were to present the Mikado and also to combine with the Ogden Tabernacle Choir to present the Creation. He was also working on a Weber Symphony Orchestra, with the Weber students being joined by some of the best musicians in Ogden. From the high schools, the junior high school, and professional talent, he was sure that he could develop an orchestra. President Tracy was very pleased. "Miss Browning, we will reclassify all of the books and we will work towards having the best library of any Rocky Mountain junior college. We are going to increase our library from 3,000 volumes. As you suggested we will give you more room, and order heavy oak tables and chairs, and cork linoleum for the floor." One summer President Tracy returned to the University of Chicago to work on his PhD degree. Eva Browning also attended summer school to work towards her degree in library science. When she returned in the fall, I heard her tell of the boxes of books that arrived from Chicago. Good, second-hand books that President Tracy had ordered during the summer. I am sure some of his salary had helped purchase those books. All of the teachers helped in the theology classes where the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants were taught. Although Weber was a church school, several young people of other religious beliefs attended. They were not required to take theology. 7 I remember when a music and art week was sponsored and Brother Hinchcliff presented The Creation, and Mrs. Horn, an artist from Salt Lake, brought oil paintings to hang in the auditorium and in the halls of the Moench Building. Many of us had never seen that many paintings before. President Tracy agreed to strive to purchase one oil painting a year for the institution. A beautiful oil painting of President David O. McKay was unveiled during the week. The devotionals, half-hour daily assemblies, were very important in President Tracy's thinking. He believed that if students were to keep their goals high they should be introduced to beautiful things. Brother Hinchcliff played Chopin's Preludes, prayer was offered, and talented students were given an opportunity to perform. Scholarship was emphasized, and President Tracy urged the students to be careful of the marks they received. "They will follow you through the rest of your life" he said. Outstanding speakers were brought to some of these assemblies. David O. McKay gave four lectures on the holy lands. Attorney Dobbs spoke on Washington, our President. Joseph Ririe spoke on loyalty. Ogden High School principal Merrill said, "A successful career consists of self-discovery, self-mastery and self-forgetfulness in service for others." Artist LeConte Stewart spoke on "Art in Life." Reverend Carver spoke on Don't Let the Spirit Atrophy. The Standard-Examiner editor, Mr. Francis, spoke on Don't Starve for the Finer Things in Life. Mahonri Young, a sculptor addressed the students. All of the students often sang at these assemblies. I remember when Weber had the opportunity to buy the organ from the Egyptian Theater and how we enjoyed the preludes and the music played by Claire Anderson. What an opportunity this was for the music students to learn to play the organ. It was 8 during the devotional time that rallies were held for the athletic events and how the students would cheer. President Tracy always encouraged the students in their activities. He planned with them and helped them attain a small building of their own where the student council met and where publications were prepared. The president’s reception was always the opening social event held in the Berthana Ballroom on 24th street between Kiesel and Grant Avenue, and later held in the new Weber gymnasium ballroom. How proud we were of that Weber gym. Everyone in the surrounding stakes, and all the students, had helped to raise funds for that building. Whenever dances were held, the ballroom was decorated beautifully. President Tracy believed that beauty would bring refinement. Formal dress was required for the college Promenade. There were beautiful flowers and a grand march. When the girls dance was held in 1925, I drew the name of William Miller, a freshman, for my date, and we had a good time. At that time I was dating my husband, Blaine Peterson who was also a freshman. At one Acorn ball the floor show was presented by the Sophie Read Dance School and the Bill Christensen Ballet Dancers. This was a beautiful floor show, one I will always remember. Miss Marion Read directed the Acorn ball. The hike to Mt. Ogden Peak was an annual activity for years until it was believed to be too strenuous for many of the students. Having made the hike twice I was glad when it was discontinued. The football games and rallies were supported by the entire city. Led by the band, the student body carrying banners and posters would march through the streets into the city hall, then on 24th street, shouting school yells and 9 singing Purple and White. Purple and White was not a hymn in those days, it was a rousing song with an ‘Aye, Aye’ shouted in the middle of the song. The faculty and many students traveled to the games away from home. I remember the tremendous effort made to raise the two thousand dollars guarantee for the first big football game with Phoenix, Arizona, when the whole town, encouraged by the Chamber of Commerce, participated. Students were excused from classes for two days in order to canvas the city. Weber won the Western States football championship that year. This was the first year that Weber had played four-year colleges. The faculty members often helped the students at athletic activities by watching the gates at the gym, and the stadium. In 1925, the Utah-Idaho junior college basketball tournament was brought to Ogden and played in the new gymnasium. The athletic programs under Merlon Stevenson were always well attended, and Weber usually had a team that would win. By the time track came around all the funds for athletics were spent so that those participating in the track had to pay their own way on trips to compete with other schools. Debating was encouraged under the leadership of John Q. Blaylock. Weber won the division championship in the Utah-Idaho junior college debating team. Weber debaters challenged the debaters from the University of Utah, and Colorado State Teachers College. In 1925, President Tracy called Bertha Eccles Wright in and discussed the possibility of a college and community drama club being started to produce plays. He believed that drama was an important part of education, and that any student or alumni 10 who desired should have an opportunity to be in a play. I remember when Professor Josephs, of the American Academy of Dramatic Art of New York City, directed the Shakespeare play The Twelfth Night, and how thrilled I was to be one of the ladies-inwaiting and walk across the stage two or three times. Four other plays were presented that year. In 1926, Harvey Taylor was brought into the school to help with dramatics, and thousands of dollars were spent in equipment for the dramatic art department. That year the little theater was begun and was later called the Community Theater. In the next few years many plays were presented. I remember some of them, The Unchastened Woman, Icebound, The Greengoddess, and The Thief. Undercover was directed by Mr. Rasmussen of New York. President Tracy encouraged the alumni to sponsor some of these plays as a means of raising funds for enlarging the campus. The President, the faculty, and the students alike developed a love for Weber because all were working and sacrificing to keep the institution alive and growing. President Tracy was always thinking of ways to increase Weber's enrollment the coming year. One summer Melba Hyde, the registrar, and I visited every home between Ogden and Brigham, telling the parents of high school graduates that a bus system would be started in the fall that would bring students to Weber. If the students had no money for tuition, food produce would be accepted. The produce was used by the cafeteria and was given to the faculty in lieu of a salary raise. Similar visits were made between Ogden and Henefer. The alumni were an important part of Weber. On January 7th, Founders Day, many alumni would return to join in the celebration. The entire school, led by the Board of Trustees, would parade to former locations of the school; the Second Ward chapel on 11 26th Street and Washington, the Fifth Ward chapel on 26th and Madison, and then back to the Moench building on Jefferson Avenue between 24th and 25th. All of the buildings at these locations have now been demolished. At the evening program former President David O. McKay would tell of the founders of Weber Academy. He told how the Bishops and the members of various Latter-day Saint wards would help and contribute in any way they could. But the main sacrifice was made by the original board members, who mortgaged their homes to keep the academy open. These programs build up in the students a loyalty, and an appreciation for the school. Some 800 alumni members attended the alumni banquet held in the gymnasium. Through the banquets and alumni plays given, proceeds were raised and ownership of much of the block on which the Moench Building stood was achieved. The Chris Flygare home, the Baxter home, the Rich apartments, the Edward Rich home, and other properties were bought. These were utilized by faculty members as homes and by students as dormitories. One building, called the College Inn, became the bookstore and was managed by Ed Hall. When the LDS church felt that it could no longer finance the Weber Junior College, it was taken over by the state, and there was a fear that it would become a branch of the University of Utah or Utah Agriculture College. President Tracy fought this idea. He argued that Weber must remain an independent state school and be allowed to grow to her potential. Later the church wanted to take the school back, and again President Tracy fought this move. Many of the children and grandchildren of the students who attended Weber during President Tracy's years have been educated and inspired by the teachers of this 12 institution. President Tracy has proven that he was skillful as a leader, and untiring in achieving his dream of Weber College. The students appreciated his wise advice, sincere encouragement, and the stimulation he gave them in their education. He broadened the vision of everyone he came in contact with. Many outstanding businessmen, professional men, and religious leaders of today were students during President Tracy's years at Weber. He was a dedicated man, to a cause that enveloped him and his entire family. How fortunate that he had a wife and children who were willing to sacrifice with him. He was a visionary man, and if he were to look down on Weber today he would smile and say, "I told you so." 13 Interview JS: This is a continuation of an oral interview with Lucile Peterson, it is being conducted in her home in Ogden, Utah on April 15, 1980. We are discussing her years at Weber State College and her recollections of President Aaron Tracy. The interviewer is John Sillito. Okay, will you tell us your full name and your parent’s name? LP: It's Mary Lucile Parry Peterson, my father was Chauncy Parry my mother was Eliza Hutchins Stone. JS: You have given us a considerable amount of information on the tape that you have prepared; I've got some specific questions that I would like to ask you. You became secretary to President Tracy in 1924 is that correct? LP: Yes. JS: And you served essentially in that capacity until 1932? LP: 1932. JS: In 1927 you were also treasurer of the Associated Students, and also the Alumni Association. Will you tell us a little bit about your responsibilities in those two capacities? LP: In terms of the students I, along with Eli Holton, worked on the finances. We would collect the funds from the different athletic activities, and the student activities, and see that they were banked and then disburse the funds that were needed. And the same was true with the alumni. JS: Were you also secretary, did you keep the minutes of the alumni association? LP: Yes. 14 JS: Now was the Alumni Association formed in 1927? Had there been an alumni association before? LP: Oh yes, there was an organization all through the high school days. And that's why I believe in 1925 or 1926, that we had 800 alumni come to the banquet. These were the alumni of the high school. JS: Oh, I see. So there had been an alumni association for some time. And primarily what was your responsibility? LP: Well we were a small institution. We all did everything. But my main activity was to attend the meetings, take the minutes, and help take care of the funds and disburse them along with Presidents Tracy's signature. He had to sign everything too. JS: So President Tracy was a member of the Alumni Association too? LP: As I remember it. JS: Also John Q. Blaylock, Harvey Taylor, Bertha Eccles Wright, and Erma Galbraith were members in 1927. Is that accurate? LP: That sounds right. JS: Were all of those people connected to the college or were some of them noncollege personnel? For example, Erma Galbraith? LP: She was a student I think, at that time. JS: So there were some student members as well as some faculty. LP: She was probably a student officer. The student officers of the previous class, I think, were kind of brought into the alumni organization as I remember it. 15 JS: Now you were also secretary-treasurer of the Board of Trustees. That was a group that was made up of the stake presidents of the various stakes. What were the relationships between that board on the local level, and the Church Board of Education in Salt Lake? LP: They worked very closely. JS: Did they? LP: Yes, they had most of their instruction from the church. And this was the thing that President Tracy objected to, because he could feel that the growth was being stifled, and he didn't want to stay under the church. The reason at that time was that the church was having a very difficult time financially. JS: This was in the late 20's? LP: Yes, they were not a prosperous church at that time. They were having a very difficult time. JS: Were there feelings that they were putting too much emphasis on BYU, at the expense of some of the other stake academies or colleges? LP: I think, perhaps. I believe they always had in their mind that BYU was going to be the exceptional university of the country. Which it has proven to be. JS: So even 50 years ago there was a strong emphasis on BYU? LP: Yes, Weber was always like a branch. I think they wanted to keep it that way; to enlarge BYU and keep the other church schools small. JS: We've been talking about the Alumni Association. I should have asked this question then, I'll ask it now. Apparently one of the things that the Alumni Association did was buy property and equipment for the college in the name of 16 the Alumni Association. When the college was transferred from the church control to the state there was some dispute about that equipment. Do you remember anything about that? LP: I was gone then, I wasn't here at that time. Do you remember anything about that Blaine? BP: No, I don't remember. I do know that down on 24th street there were properties along that line. That’s where the hair dressing school was, and there were funds there that were turned into the school, to keep that cosmetic school going. LP: I didn't mention the cosmetic school that was quite an interesting thing. You've heard about that haven't you? JS: I know a little bit about that, why don't you go ahead and tell us what you remember about that. LP: This was started at a time when there were depression days, and President Tracy could see that many of the women were going to have to help with the livelihood of their family. And his idea was that they should be trained. I believe it was the alumni that took this on wasn't it? BP: It was the Alumni Association that sponsored it. LP: I thought that was true. Another person I wanted you to interview was Mrs. Heaps. She is now a very elderly woman, but an intelligent person, and she was the one that started this beauty school, we called it. JS: Was it an official part of the college or kind of an adjunct to the college? 17 LP: I think it was sort of an adjunct; it was to fill a need at that time. President Tracy was always trying to think of what the people of this city needed right then, and the women needed to be trained. JS: I see. You mentioned his saying that the people in Ogden were more interested in breeding cattle than they were expanding the minds of the students. In an interview that we have with Joel Ricks, for example, he suggests that what Ogden wanted was a general education college. Prior to that time it had been heavily a teacher-training college, and that he attempted to move the college toward a broadened curriculum. Do you think that was President Tracy's philosophy too? LP: Yes, I know it was. I'm sure of that. JS: So he carried out what Joel Ricks had tried to do the couple of years he was president? LP: Yes, I think so. Now he was a very good friend of President Ricks, they probably had discussed this many times together. President Tracy was a younger man I believe than Joel Ricks. It seemed to me he may have been a student of President Ricks. JS: Some younger at least. LP: Yes, but he probably influenced his thinking. I think one that influenced President Tracy's thinking the most was David O. McKay. JS: What was their relationship like? 18 LP: Well, President Tracy was a poor boy and as I understand it, he either worked with the McKay family, or stayed at their home or something during certain years of his life. JS: Up in Huntsvilie? LP: Yes, now you get this from Mrs. Tracy. This had a profound effect on his thinking and his plans for his life and all. JS: So he was very close to President McKay and emulated a lot of his qualities, that sort of thing. LP: President McKay always showed great love for President Tracy, whenever they would come to the meetings. JS: So President McKay was very much involved in the college even after he had left as president. LP: Oh, yes. Weber was one of his great loves, I think. JS: I see. What do you think the feeling of the faculty was in the late 20's about taking the school away from the church and giving it to the state? Although it happened in the 30's the discussion of that had gone on for a number of years. How did the faculty feel about that? LP: I think they felt similar, because they could see how they were being held down on every side, because of the lack of finances. And President Tracy wouldn't be held down. I'm sure he was a thorn in the side of the Church Commissioner of Education, because he felt he had to do certain things. And I have heard them really ridicule him severely. JS: The church board? 19 LP: Yes. He would go ahead and do things, and he would use funds from one place because another place needed them so badly. And with budgets you just don't do that, you stay within your budget. JS: Was it criticism of him for mismanagement or misdirection of budget? LP: I don't think so. I wouldn't want to say criticism, because I always think of dishonesty when you say that. If there was ever an honest man it was President Tracy, he never took anything for himself. JS: So it was more of a question of disagreement on policy? LP: Yes. Where it was to be spent. JS: I see. You mentioned the story about visiting throughout Weber County, and the fact that produce was accepted in lieu of tuition. Did President Tracy ever accept things like that in lieu of salary, or did the faculty accept things like that in lieu of salary? LP: Oh yes. JS: So that was a common thing? LP: That was a very common thing, at that time. JS: I see. BP: Sister Tanner had that charge. LP: Yes she tried to use a great deal of that in the cafeteria. BP: And that's where the students were bringing produce in. LP: This was when my husband was the treasurer. JS: So this was a little bit later? LP: Yes. 20 JS: Let me ask you a couple more questions. You mentioned all the homes that were purchased. Did President Tracy live in the Rich home that was the President's residence? LP: No. JS: Where did he live? LP: He lived over on 25th street, I've forgotten which home that was now. Sister Tracy could tell you. JS: I see. LP: Thatcher Allred lived in one of those homes. Roland Parry lived in one of those homes. Clarisse Hall lived in one of those homes. I'm sure it was considered part of the salary they received. JS: A way of augmenting their salaries. LP: Yes, that's right. JS: There was an official President's home at a later period, but apparently most of the presidents didn't live in it. LP: Well, it was such a common ordinary home. It was one of the smallest homes on the block, that President Tracy lived in. JS: I see, his own home. Politically he was a Democrat I understand. Was he very much involved in electoral politics while he was President of the school? LP: He was quite involved with the legislature during the time of the change in the school. My husband could tell you about that. Blaine was on the legislature during part of that time. JS: This was around the period of time where the school was being transferred. 21 BP: Yes. JS: The reason I ask the question is, a lot of the people that ran the church board of education, Joseph F. Merrill, Adam S. Bennion and some of these people were very staunch Republicans. And I'm wondering if that had anything to do with the friction between the different political philosophies? BP: That didn't show itself, because myself and others were Democrats and they knew it. And we were just as aggressive as Democrats as they were on the Republican so we balanced out. JS: I see. So you don't think that was one of the reasons they might have had an illwill towards Tracy? BP: No. That turmoil was there because of Tracy's aggressiveness. And of course, I was on his staff, and so we went aggressive too, and we clobbered them. JS: What do you remember about the library? You mentioned President Tracy's sending second-hand books from Chicago to the library. Was the library pretty understaffed, and small, and lacked books? LP: I think it was a very efficient library. Eva Browning did a very good job. JS: So, they always needed more money. LP: And we always needed more books. But we had quite a nice library in the Moench Building. JS: Who was second in command if President Tracy had to be away from the college? Who did he look to as his assistant, or did he have anyone that filled that role? 22 LP: I don't think he ever went away from the college; he wanted to keep his hands on everything. I don't remember, I would say perhaps John Q. Blaylock. JS: Have you any other recollections of the buildings that you might want to add. You mentioned looking out the window as you took dictation. The campus was pretty well confined to the Moench Building and the gymnasium, and you mentioned there was a book store, the College Inn. LP: Then we had several dormitories there. I remember the Hawaiian boys stayed there. JS: This was the basketball team that came over? LP: Football. JS: What do you think President Tracy’s feelings were after the college was transferred to the state and he left as president? How did he view that? Obviously he was replaced by someone else. Do you think he was upset by that? LP: I think a president of a school who had worked as hard as President Tracy would never be willing to give up that spot, because he still had other things that he wanted to accomplish. But I believe in the back of his mind he would feel he had accomplished the work that he wanted, and it was going to be established now. I think he was delighted when it finally entered that stage. JS: That's really what he wanted wasn't it? Even though he wasn't actually going to be there, he had accomplished his goal. BP: See I was on the staff there and I had a lot of contact with President Tracy during that period, and President McKay was giving all the help that he could. 23 LP: I believe he had in his mind that he had accomplished what he had attempted to do. JS: So you don't feel that there was animosity or that he felt like they should have chosen him to continue to lead the school. LP: Well we weren't here at that time. We were in Washington when this happened. Blaine was in law school, in Washington D.C. so we weren't on the scene at this time. JS: Did he keep in pretty close contact with the school the rest of his life? He lived for a number of years after the school was transferred to the state. LP: We were away most of this time. We were back in Washington for five years, and then we went to Salt Lake. I don't know, I couldn't answer that. His interests would always be here. He went into the legislature the later part of his life, I'm sure he was in there fighting for Weber College, right up to the end. JS: Is there anything that you want to add? LP: No, I don't believe so.