Bad Bursars

With money a paramount subject at all colleges this year, pedagogs last week took special interest in the cases of two bad bursars.

At Bowdoin. Most U. S. colleges protect themselves by having their financial officers bonded, just as business houses do. Some colleges do not bother. Last week Bowdoin College at Brunswick, Maine was glad it had bothered. For the past six years Bowdoin's bursar has been John Coolidge Thalheimer, quiet and popular, a member of Delta Upsilon, who after graduation from Bowdoin became clerk under the college treasurer in 1923 and three years later bursar. Father of two, Mr. Thalheimer was divorced last year for "cruel and abusive treatment." was ordered to pay $150 a month alimony for three years. Last August, Bursar Thalheimer went off on a holiday. During his absence, auditors found discrepancies and inaccuracies in his books, a total shortage of some $4,000. Bowdoin deferred action, hoping its bursar would return and explain. But he stayed missing. Announcing that the shortage is covered by bond, Bowdoin's President Kenneth Charles Morton Sills last week declared Bursar Thalheimer "relieved of his duties."

At Manitoba. Last month huge shortages were found in the trust and endowment funds of the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg) and the Anglican diocese of Rupert's Land (TIME, Sept. 5). Suspicion pointed at John Alexander Machray, 67, bursar of the University, chancellor of the diocese. He was arrested. Manitobans could scarcely believe it possible. He was a famed lawyer, graduate of St. John's School and College (Winnipeg), also of Cambridge and the University of Manitoba; son-in-law of a rich retired brewer; onetime president of the Manitoba Red Cross and of the League of Nations Society. Since 1912 he had been a K. C.-- King's Counsel. Through his investment firm were handled the trust and endowment funds of the University and the diocese. Lawyer Machray was a nephew, heir and executor of the late pioneering Archbishop Robert Machray, who, like his successor Archbishop Samuel Pritchard Matheson, left the administration of church funds in Lawyer Machray's hands. In Winnipeg it was common to hear, "A Machray can do no wrong."

Western Canada was shocked when Lawyer Machray, enfeebled by long illness, arose in Winnipeg's Provincial Police Court, leaning heavily on his cane, to be charged with theft. His peculations from University funds were now estimated at $901,175. In addition he was charged with stealing $60,000 from Heber Archibald, his former law partner. (The firm had gone bankrupt.) Begging a summary trial, Lawyer Machray pleaded guilty. Magistrate R. M. Noble, recalling huskily that for 25 years he had been a friend of the accused, passed sentence: seven years in the penitentiary.

The Church of England brought no charges against Lawyer Machray. To rebuild the depleted fund, the income of which was from $60,000 to $70,000 a year, it was proposed that an appeal be sent to Anglican laymen throughout Canada. Saddest was the case of venerable, white- bearded Archbishop Matheson, onetime primate of all Canada. He admitted he had " lost everything," including $9,000 in savings, an $8,000 house.

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