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The Hood River News, Hood River, OR., February 4, 1921,page 1

LIBRARY INCREAS PROVOKES STORM

On Wednesday morning a big deputation from the granges of the county appeared before the County Court relative to the increase of the library fund by $750 after the budget advisory board had reduced the estimate to $2000. While the controversy was led by A.I. Mason on the side of the grangers, many others spoke on the matter, and the consensus of opinion was in opposition to the transfer of monies from the miscellaneous fund to the library budget, it being pointed out that such actions would establish a dangerous precedent.
Professor Gibson elicited much praise for his fair-minded exposition on the affair, in which he stated, as chairman of the library board, that he was opposed to the method adopted to secure the increased appropriation of $750. He said that he was absent at Salem when another member of the board appeared before the first meeting of the county court and argued that the county apportionment to be equal to the allotment made by the city. Mr. Gibson admitted that, had he been in Hood River at the time, he would have opposed such action, because he is of the opinion that the findings of the advisory board represent the views of the taxpayers and should, unless an emergency arises, be accepted as final.
Eventually the court decided to await an opinion from District Attorney John Baker on various phases of the matter and asked those present to maintain confidence in the court until the next hearing, when a definite decision will be rendered. In the meantime, the allotment of $750 was held up.