The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-12-03
WHERE WILL THE
Coin COME FROM?
School Fund Commission Have a
Variety of Plans to Put
Before Public.


The school fund commission is hard
on the trail of a scheme to relieve the
financial stringency in the department
of public instruction, although as yet
the scheme is intangible and not ex-
pected to materialize until the whole
subject has been gone into thoroughly,
the schemes of other places considered
in the light of local conditions, the
people heard from in the matter of a
specific tax and the whole matter, in
fact, submitted to the crucibe of time
and reflection.
The more the commissioners study up
on school conditions here the more they
learn that there will have to be some
more money for them. The question
is, how to get it. What they are turn
ing over in their minds at present is
the question as to whether a part of
the school money should be raised as
a specific tax in addition to the present
taxes raised, or whether a definite pro-
portion of the taxes raised at present
should be diverted to a specific school
fund. What they are anxious to learn
is whether the people of the Territory
will be willing to pay more taxes and
have the extra for the schools. They
will welcome any suggestion or com.
ment from anyone.
As n matter of fact, in spite of their
efforts, they have not as yet been able
to interest the public, even when they
talk of higher taxes. With the matter
of school funds the people are the same
as they are with the matter of water.
In the latter case, as long as their
water tap runs they refuse to consider
any question of spending more money
on the water system, but when the
supply runs out, no matter how useless
their kicks and how untimely, they i'm.
mediately raise a chorus of criticism.
With the schools, so long as things seem
to be going right they decline to wor
ry over any extra taxes that are not |
yet imposed, reserving their protests |
and suggestions until the collector
comes around.
How Other Places Do.
Yesterday the commission issued a
statement of their findings along the
line of revenue plans in vogue else.
where. This statement is:
The general plan throughout the
country involves: First, a permanent
fund; second, current fund.
The permanent fund is sacredly kept
intact, only the income from it being
used, while the current fund is depend.
ed upon from year to year to maintain |
the educational system.
The permanent funds are derived
largely from the sales or rentals of |
land granted by congress, or from pub.
lie lands of the State or Territory, but |
also from variety of special revenues
defined and set apart by statute.
The current funds are derived from |
the income of the permanent funds, and |
from taxes together with a large varie-
ty of special revenues defined and set |
apart by statute.
The lands thus contributing to the
permanent fund are largely those that
have been granted, or that may here
after be granted by congress, but they
also include public lands in any way
acquired by the State or Territory.
Thus what are known IN Alabama as
sixteenth section lands' are avail
able, as may be provided by law for
either of these funds.
Prominent among other possible
sources of revenue under this head we
find property that may escheat to the
public treasury for want of claimant,
and any that may come from donation,
gift, grant or devise.
The taxes for the current fund show
very prominently specific tax for
provided by general laws, as
for instance, . mills in Arkansas, %
Of mill, 1-6, 1.6, 1-6 and so on in
Colorado; mills in Illinois. IL cents
IN each 800 in Indiana. These are
evied under general laws for the en-
ire State and do not require any an.
lnal or biennial act of the legislature
In addition to the above specific !
axes for the entire State large mum. I
yer and variety of such taxes are by i
tatute authorized for counties and dis
rlcts, thus allowing each locality the
lower TO carry its own public schools
o high degree of excellence.
The special sources of revenue, for /
10Th the permanent and current funds, {
now surprising number and variety, 8
uch rs the following:
Gifts, grants, devises by individuals.
Escheats.
Fines. 5
Forfeitures.
Special endowments.
Certain taxes on corporations.
Poll taxes. '
Taxes on shows. /
Tax on liquors. c
Estrays. I
Unclaimed dividends. !
Marriage fees.
Examination fees.
Auetioneering fees.
Foreign life insurance.
Foreign interpretations.
Vending goods by sample.
Keeping eating houses,
Taking photographs.
Acting AS brokers.
Records of deeds.
Military Communication.
Taxes on certain animals.
Inspection Of oils
Hire Of conyicts.
Lease 0f oyster lands,