The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-07
TAXES AND SALARIES
Their Relation Considered by supt.
Lime of Chicago. M

Albert G. Lane, district superintendent
of schools. Chicago, had a most timely
topic in Taxation and Teachers Sala-
ries.' He began by showing how the adj
vance in education had led to the evolu-
tion of the professional teacher. Increased
efficiency in any department OF labor
meant increased compensation. Educa-
tion was now regarded as the right and
an essential need of every child and the
foundation Of citizenship. Mr.. Lane then
proceeded: .s., III.
In cities the problems Of providing good
streets, water, light, transportation, police
and fire protection, parks, libraries and
schools have been carefully considered. and
are being successfully worked out. The
equity and justice of caring for the sick, the
defective and the helpless poor have been
quite fully recognized. Cities have made
many demands and the response of the people
| in voting taxation has been prompt and will
ing. Ha19,I - t.E-- & -,. . -
With increased wealth, the rates of inter-
est on money have increased the percentage
of profits on small lines of business has been
less; concentration, in. capital has resulted
These: changes have led : to a scrutiny of
| taxes, to their evasion, to reduced valuations.
| to legal limitations. &and in many instances
| to restricted public improvements and to i'm
| paired public service. s,~s ~I. s =
Any comparison of the growth, improve
LeuI aIu ,CosI VI puDIlC service IN Cne Clues
of this country will show that the older cities
are gradually classifying their revenues and
expenditures, concentrating the taxing pow
er on, one body to secure equity, making fair
provision for the necessary departments of
public service, and limiting the total tax
levies to, a rate per cent in harmony with
substantial conservative business interests. !
1T is probably safe to say that tax of
from 2 to 8 mills on all property at its cash
tn
| pay teachers salaries, and that tax of /
to 2 mills additional would provide for Sites
buildings and incidental expenses for main
tenance.
In considering this question of the education
of all children for citizenship, the fact must
not be overlooked that most of the states
have in some degree assumed the RESPONSE
bility by levying state tax for the main
tenance of schools. The principle upon which
the state: tax was originally extended was
that the wealth of the whole state should
contribute to the education Of all the children.
That standard should be maintained and the
means should be provided to aid districts
| which are unable to sustain schools. {
The location Of railroads representing large
capital, the accumulation Of wealth at GER
tain places, the massng of working people
in one distrirt and the concentration Of
wealthy people in another district, cause
great variations in the local tax on basis
which will help the poorer districts.
The reports of county and state superin-
tendents show that If effective instruction
is to be impaired to all children, more gen.
erous provision must be made for the ample
compensation Of teachers, for permanency
in their work, and for. centralized schools in
the rural districts. ..
The proposition that the fund for the pay
ment of teachers salaries be increased by the
distribution of larger amount Of money
to be raised by general state tax and to be
distributed in such way as to insure the
main tenance of rural schools for 160 to 180
days each year, is commended. =
Effective administration of a school sys-
TEN be most easily secured. when the
teacher can work with the certainty of a
compensation on a fixed scale, without radi-
cal and violent fluctuations, when the gen
eral principles of civil service prevail and
teachers are retained during efficient service
and good behavior To secure these results
in the larger cities, the statutes relating to
the raising of taxes for the teachers salary
fund should provide for adequate and
definite amount. s