The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-26

| acterized the situation as ridiculous
| and absurd proposition
Col. j. D. Norton, president of the
board of education, made a plea for
higher education. He said: 1.-THE high
| schools arrange their courses accord
| ing to the requirements of the insti-
tutions of higher learning. We be-
lieve in the higher education and
would like to give all pupils oppor-
| tunity; the son of the poor man should
have the same chance as the son of
the rich man. 1 don't think it is
right to shut off the sentiment in favor
| of higher education.
I'm Who's Who in America the
| tables show that 69.76 per cent of the
persons listed in the edition for 1903-5
had the advantage of college training,
of this number 56.03 per cent were
college or university graduates and
1851 per cent had attended UNIVERSE
ties and colleges, but were not gradu-
ated. This is an argument in a nut
shell in favor of higher education
You have to look out for the other
80 per cent who do not get the higher
education" was the statement of Su-
perintendent L. d. Whittemore. For
them you should prepare branches in
addition to what we now feel that we
can afford. We want studies that will
grip their attention, and hold them in
school longer"
81 am inclined to believe that our
high school is rather top heavy" said
7. F. Carver. 'I don't believe that
Greek and some other studies are re-
quired in order to enter the higher in
situations, and it is my opinion that
more could be done with less money if
they were cut out.
IF any useless sfrills' are being
taught in our schools" continued Mr.
Carver, "as has been charged. we want
to know just what those 'frills' are,
and we can't correct them until we do
know. Let the critics of the schools
draw q liS- STATING dnfiYifa1xy
things to which they object and if the
objections are we'll founded proper
remedies will be applied"
"In regard to those frills,''' said
school desiring to fnd out just what
those 'frills' might be. I found that
the girls We're being taught such use
full things as how to make their own
dresses, cook appetizing meals and
trim their own hats"
DR.. John A. Crabb defended the moral
standing of the Topeka high school.
stating that he could not verify the
accusations which were made at the
last board meeting.
superintendent L. D. Whittemore
made statement in regard to the fin
ances of the board, saying he had been
receiving numerous inquiries in respect
to financial conditions. According to
this statement the state of affairs has
not been so good in years.
At the beginning of February there
was SIS, 800 over and above the amount
which would cover all outstanding war
rants, and no bonds have been issued
for six years. while during that time
number Of buildings have been put
up. The amount of bonds, according to
Mr.. Whittemore. on which interest is
being paid is $530,661. There is at pres
emit no sinking fund to cover these
bonds but the speaker asserted that
just as soon as the school buildings
which are required in the near future
are erected then an effort will be made
to cancel this Indebtedness.
There is a peculiar situation with
reference to the school finances which
should be brought out. According to
the city treasurer's books the cost of
the schools last year was as follows:
Expenditures:
Building fund .................. 45,S9S- AZ
Interest fund .................. 23,946. A
IOldl . 4o4l,SZS.
The total tax levy for school pur-
poses according to the county treasur-
er's books this year is as follows:
General Iund ........s........ $z1o, o9o.S
Building fund ................. 27,561.17
Interest ........s.... ..s....... A,967.64
This indicates that there must be a
saving of about $4,000 this year in the
conduct of the schools to come out
even. Then according to the city treas
.,rer there 9 a $40 600 item of 1InDaid