The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-22
HELP The SCHOOLS
Cities of First Glass in Kansas
Are Hampered.
Inequalities in Taxation Ser
iOus Handicap.
UP TO LEGISLATURE.
Present Law FaYOrs the Smaller
municipalities.
Bills to Correct Law in Both
Houses.

Present indications are that there is
4 sentiment on the part of the mem
bers of both branches of the legis-
lature to enact legislation which will
permit cities of the first class to levy a
tax of twenty mills for general school
purposes. Cities of the second class
are permitted now by statute to levy a
tax for general school purposes to
This amount, and the legislators can
see no good reason why cities of the
first class should not at least be on
an equal footing.
Agitation for the adoption of legis-
lation of this character was started
last fall by the board of education of
this city. All of the other boards of
education in cities of the first class
were communicated with and ex-
pressed their approval of the plan.
Wlcnlta Is acting under a special law
winch permits levy of Is mills for
general purposes and the repeal of
Wnlch Is not desired but the board of
education of Wichita will not object
10 the passage of measure giving the
Desired relief to the other cities of the
first class.
II this legislation is enacted into law
the BOARD of education of this city will
nave the means to raise the salaries of
Ihe grade teachers to commensurate
ngures. 1t will also be able to oon-
80 lHe deVelopment of manual
training in the schools.
Bills seeking to accomplish this
purpose have been Introduced in the
senate by Senator Martin of Bourbon
seilu IN the mouse by Mr.. Wheeler. A
memorandum on the necessity of this
measure has been prepared by the
local board of education.
II SHOWS that under the present
laws governing tax levy for schools:
Ffrst-School districts NAV lew On
70
Second-Cities of the second class
may levy 20 mills for general mr.
poses. RMS was raised from Is mills
at the last session of the legislature.
Thlrd-Cities of the first class with
less than 30,0 population and vaI11-
alton of less than 100000 may lew
10 mill; cities with a population of less
IMAM $4,000 and valuation greater
man S;o0o'0oO may levy 8 mills for
general purposes; cities of 10000 or
more (Kansas City and Topeka) NAV
levy II mills for general purposes ana
mills for building.
Fourth-Special laws
Under special laws the following
levies may be made:
Coffeyville, 20 mills for generar
PurpQse5 until and including 1907
1Shaptere 4O6, laws of 1905.l "a
Fort Scott. mills for building in
addition to 10 mills for general pur-
poses (Chapter 400, laws of 1905
Leavenworth, mills for building
In addition to mills for general pIIr-
poses (Chapter 415, laws of 1907
rlttspurg, 20 mills for general pur-
poses (Chapter 421. laws Of 19O5.)
wichita, Is mills for general pur-
poses (Chapter 427, laws of 19O5.1
These special laws were all enacted
at the last session of the legislature.
PARSONS has recently become a citv
OF the first class. Before becoming a
city of the first class Parsons had for
TWO years made a levy of 90 mills and
made the same levy for the current
year before the proclamation was Is
of the first class, this levy will be re-
duced to 10 mills next year, which will |
De SUFFICIENT to support the schools in |
that city not more than five months. |
The present maximum levy for each
city of the first class is Atchison. 10 |
mills; Coffeyville. 90 mills I'D to 1907. |
Fort Scott, 10 mills general, 8 mills |
building; Kansas City. IL mills gener-
al, mills building; Leavenworth, s |
mills general, mills building: Par
sons, 10 mills general after 1906; |
Plttsourg, 20 mills general; Topeka.
Y mills general. mills building; |
mills generaI.
Why a General Law Is Needed
The boards of education in ali tbe
cities of the first class, except Wfch-
ita, have taken action in favor of a |
general law permitting all cities of the
first class to levy 20 mills for general |
the present law governing cities of the
second class, for the following rea-
sons:
First-It will remove the unreason-
able and undesiEa BILE distinction be-
tween cities of the first and second |
class with reference to taxation for |
schools. This is an especially i'm
portant consideration in view of the
fact that so many of the second class
cities are approaching the popuIat ton
necessary for organization as cities of
the first class. In the absence of such
legislation as is proposed, the funds
available for the support of the
schools in such cities would be re-
1uced by one-half when they come
into the first class.
Second-The present law governing
he tax levy in cities of the first class
S exceedingly confusing and complf-
Gated. 1t provides for a levy of 8, 10
Or II mills for general purposes, ac-
,ording to population and valuation of
cities, whereas it appears that the con-
1itions in all of the cities are prac-
.ically identical.
Third-The passage of this measure
will obviate the necessity for special
egislation, which the amendment to
he constitution recently voted upon is
llso intended to prevent. Several |
cities of the first class already have
special laws permitting levy of 20 /
mills and a least one other city (Par-
;ons) had intended to ask for a SINH