The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-08
Alderman Approves.
hardly be overestimated.

.h"SAhiau aVUEOSSss
DR.. Edwin A. Alderman. presiden,
OF the University of Virginia and
Chairman of the commission, was out.
spoken in mis- praise of the Maphis re-
port, and said that the arguments ad-
vanced In behalf of the change in the
method of taxation could not have
been stronger nor more forcibly ex.
pressed, There was a general feeling
that the commission was marking ar
epoch in the educational life of the
state in setting its approval in gen.
eral on the proposition to care 70.
the business of public education on a
scientific and businesslike basis.
AS the conclusion of his researches
which have occupied months of time
and endles research, Mr.. Maphis recon-
mends that there be set aside by law
from the annual revenues of the state
sum equivalent to whatever amour,
will yield the necessary revenue. based
on certain number OF mills on the
dollar OF valuation of all such prop
erty from which the school revenue is
now derived. This sum is to be in
lieu of all the regular appropriations
for maintenance heretofore made by
the General Assembly for this pur-
pose from the State treasury
Separate Taxation.
In other words, should it be found
by mathematical demonstration that a
tax of one mill on the dollar would
yield enough revenue to equal the
present appropriations for primary
schools, for high schools and for this
higher institutions of learning. then a
tax should be fixed by law at that
amount. the returns to be set apart for
this purpose alone.
The most important good to be de-
rived from the proposed system is that
j; will enable the institutions thus
supported to have fixed policy which
would be IN force for an indefinite
period, and to make far-seeing and
wiser plans for future growth and
needs, To quote the Maphis report:
NO consistent educational policy can
be carried out without some degree of
dependence upon a certain Income.
The administrative officers OF an in
stitution must have some reasonable
anticipation of the funds which can be
commanded for use. If they are to plan
wisely and economically"
In addition, the argument is that 1t
would no longer be necessary to lobby
before legislative committees for the
necessities os life, for each institution
would know each year approximately
what Its revenues would be-
Would Increase.
BESIDES, the natural growth In
values of taxable property would WELD
increasing revenues as the needs OF
education developed in the state. with.
out making it necessary to convince
Legislatures that more money was
needed.
AT the previous meeting of the yir-
ginia Education Commission, Mr..
Maphis. who is chairman of the State
board of.scnool Examiners. was elect
ed secretary to the commission, and
was requested to conduct an investiga-
ton into the mill tax method of rails
ING revenue Tor schooIs, as in use in
other States. He has since that time
corresponded with the officials of every
STATE where such plan was operative,
ana presented with his report yester-
day an exhibit containing extracts
from letters received from these
sources.
Those present at yesterdays meet
Ing, which was held in the assembly
room Of the State Board OF Education,
We're: DR.. Edwin "A. Alderman, DR.,
w W Smith. of Lynchburg, chancel-
Tor OF the Randolph Macon system; DR..
]. L, Jarman, president OF the State
Female Normal School, at Farmville;
Or. Charles M. Hazen, Of Chesterfield,
Superintendent j. D. Eggleston. Jr., OF
the Department of Public Instruction,
and Secretary Maphis.
Committee Named.
AZ the conclusion OF the hearing Of
the secretary's report committee was
appointed to fully consider 1t, and to
formulate recommendations for pre-.
sentation to meeting Of the commits
sion to be held next spring. This com,
mlttee is composed Of DR., Alderman
Speaker Richard Evelyn Byrd and Mr.
Maphis.
IT Is more than probable that the
commission will prepare a formal re-
port recommending the mill tax system
20 e be presented to the Legislature at
In his Introduction, Mr., Maphis ad,
vances the proposition that the gov
eminent not only cnn levy taxes for thu
establishment and maintenance OF
schools. but that ut Is lust as mucn
Its duty by this means to protect it,
self against ignorance and Its conse-
quences as 1t is to protect iteelf against,
paupers by. maintaining almshouses or
against criminals by providing jails
and penttentiarIes, A democratic COM
munity cannot endure without ade-