The Williamson enterprise. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1907-1911, 1911-03-09
JUR|ST SUGGESTS
SCHOOL INSPECTION
Believes Would Save Money
for the State
A GAP THAT SHOULD BE FILLED
They Would Have About the Same
s, Province as Bank Examiners and
Report on Financial as Well
as Educational Matters.

Frankfort school inspectors,
whose duties shall be somewhat SINH
lar to those of bank examiners, are
suggested as greatly needed in Ken
lucky. The suggestion comes from
Judge G. r. Mcdowell, of Danville,
who appeared before the court or ap-
peals. Judge Mcdowell believes that
with two inspectors, compeuenr and
honest men, inspecting the schools
and watching the disposition Of the.
money of the state, large sums could
be saved every year and the schools
there is now no check on the paying
out of three and one-haif million dol
lars every year to schools. The state
Inspector can not reucn the leaks and
the superintendent of public instr1rc-
ton can not, there being gap which
much be bridged by d new law.
The plan as proposed Is to have ex-
aminers for the schools" said Judge
Mcdowell. "They would work like
bank examiners. They would go to
school, examine the teacher and pupils
and records, with fun authority to de-
nland books and receipts. This in
spector would see THAT the teacher is
complying with the law and that the
pupils are complying with the law and
also that the schoolnouses are kept in
proper condition. Then this examiner
would also examine the finances of the
school and see that the states money
is being paid to the right people in
the right amounts. The state pays out
$3.500,000 every year for schools and
there is no way to tell that all this
money is used to the advantage of the
schools and it flows in the proper chan
nels.
81 would suggest that the man who
is to be inspector for the western dis
trict, the state being divided into two
districts, be selected from the eastern
district and a man in the eastern dis
trict be from the western part of the
state. In this way there would not be
any local pulls and the examiner
would not have his friends to deal with
in making his rounds. 1t seems to me
that something of this kind is greatly
needed in this state, and we certainly
should have some way to check up the
expenditures for schools"
1t is probable that the suggestion
made by Judge Mcdowell will bear
fruit at the next session of the legisla-
ture and that a bill carrying into eff
feet his ideas will be offered in the
house and senate, in connection wi
SOME other laws for the schools Of the
state. The bill is only in a formative
state now, but the school leaders ex-
pect to take it up and work it out.
Must File Suit.
In order to bring the books OF the
Cincinnati & South Covington rail
road into court to ascertain the bust
ness done by the company during last
year and the profits made, Atty. Gen.
Breathitt has advised the state board
of valuation and assessment that the
board or the county attorney of Ken
ton county must file suit against the
company to collect alleged delinquent
franchise taxes.
Judge Breathitt holds that unless
foreign corporation has an agent in
this state, even though that corpora
ton holds stock in a Kentucky con-
Germ, it can not be required to pro
duce the books to get informa tion
upon which to base an assessment for
the franchise.