The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-05-15
ASK THE PRESIDENT TO Lend HIS
ASSISTANCE IN SECURING Federal
APPROPRIATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA
Special Session Committee Takes Step
to Urge Payment Of Government
Debts to Help Schools.

AS the result Of general discussion
OF legislation necessary for the finan-
eng and re-establishment Of the
schools in stricken cities OF the State
the joint committee on call for spc-
cial session OF the Legislature at its
morning session yesterday resolved to
appeal 70 Congress for money for the
State Treasury. Judge Davis was Sc
lected TO frame a telegram to be sent
TO the President and copies to the
California delegation urging the Gov
eminent ofacials TO pass the Federal
appropriation allotted the States for
oers. II was resolved by the commit
tee that the general relief committee
be asked TO forward these comnduni-
cations al once 10 Washington.
Already the Government has paid
TO many OF the States the money thus
obtained California, however. owing
10 the fact that she has had no ter
ritorial existence, having come into the
Union at once as q State, labors un-
der a peculiar disadvantage and the
money has not yet been paid. The
Senate had passed favorably upon the
bill before the disaster befell Cali
fornia and subsequently the California
delegation has been actively at work
in the House. II now remains for
Speaker Cannon TO recognize the Cali
foruia representatives on the floor TO
secure the necessary money.
WANT MONEY FOR SCHOOLS.
At the present time various schemes
have been advanced for the placing
Of funds in the States Golfers. Ac-
cording 10 law California will be given
a fifth Of the amount received from
the sale Of public lands within her
borders and this sum will reach ST.
100000. The subcommittee will urge
upon the general committee TO request
that this money shall be paid TO the
State Immediately and applied TO the
sole purpose of providing funds for the
crippled school departments OF Cali
fornia'e cities
In connection with the proposed leg
islation to iii the needs OF the school
departments Special Counsel John E.
Richards, representing the Mayor OF
San Jose, brought UP a proposition on
behalf of the nearby city that cree
ated considerable disturbance OF the
calm deliberations of the joint COM
mittee. Richards proposed that some
provision be made by the Legislature
for increasing the school appropria-
ton of San Jose 20 take care of the
increased number of school children
from San Francisco that have found
shelter in his city. He added to his
argument an indirect plea for like
consideration for Oakland, Alameda
and Berkeley, maintaining that these
cities would have the burden of car
ing for and schoolhousing the children,
while San Francisco would receive the
appropriation and have fewer children
10 take care of.
MAKE STRONG PROTEST.
Members OF the joint committee
sprang 10 their feet in protest. R
II. Countryman declared that the pres
ent condition would last but a few
months and that by the time the ap-
preparation arrived San Francisco
would be housing all its children and
would need every cent OF the local
appropriation based on the local school
census.
W. II. Nelson declared that should
the proposed act be passed to the Gov
ernor Tor presentation to the Legis-
lature the whole proposed urgent
school relief legislation would be
killed"
Gavin McNab said that the present
condition Of the schools resembled
somewhat advanced vacation and that
by the time the vacation was over the
pupils in full number would be ready
for the fall term. Chairman TREY L.
Ford suggested that the committee APP
prove the amended school acts drawn
up by Judge Thomas F. Graham and
R. H. Countryman and asked Mr..
Richards TO draw up in writing an ex-
preston of his views and submit them
TO the committee.
Mr.. Countryman thereupon sub
mitted the drafts OF the acts which
the special session Will be called upon
10 consider should Governor Pardee is
sue a call. The matters for legisla-
ton were outlined in The Call recent
ly, having come up at a previous ses-
sion of the joint committee.
AMENDMENTS PROPOSED.
Briefly the first amendment provides
for the establishment OF a census upon
which 20 base the amount of the ap-
preparation by adding the average
yearly increase in attendance for the
last ten years to the total attendance
a. the last census taken a year ago
Another amendment provides for the
substitution OF lost or destroyed rec
ords Another providing for the COM
5letion of q census by aff1davits OF
school teachers was also favorably re-
celved. Further investigation will be
made BY the committee regarding the
supplying OF textbooks by the State.
An act providing for an appropria-