The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-18
OVER S2,OOO,OOO GOES ID EDUCATION Willingham Gratified With
 Legislation
REVIEWS NEW LAWS
While Governors Discretion is Tied to Many Appropriations It Is Believed That Educational
 Interests Will Prosper


 Interests Will Prosper
 Montgomery, April 17.-(Speeial. )-Ac- cording to figures compiled by Superin- tendent of Education Henry J. Willing ham the legislature at it's recent session increased the appropriations to all edu- eational purposes in the state little over s2, ,OO0 OoO for the next four years. For the various educational institutions in the state above the public schools the appro- nriations show an increase of between Sl,- 100 eco and S1. .2o0, 900, while the increase for the public and primary schools is sl,0oo,- 0o0
 These increased appropriations. how ever are all dependent upon the condition of the state treasury, which will be de- termined by the governor. To all ap- propriation bills for educational purposes and to several others there was a amend ment attached giving the governor dis cretionarV power in the distribution or the funds.
 If in the executives opinion the condi- ton of the treasury will be sueh as To warrant the payment of all the funds ap- proprated. the governor will authorize the full amount of the moneys appfo- priated to be paid out to the numerous lh- stitutfons to which donations were made
 Superintendent Willingham feels sim- inenseIv gratiied with What the legisla- ture did for the educational interests or the state. A number of important laws were enacted bearing upon the education al system which the superintendent or education thinks will prove of great value, and there were also several new instf- tutions of learning created by the leg slature.
 A resume covering the educational laws enacted by the legislature has been pre- pared by Superintendent Willingham- This resume covers in full the various laws passed and Is both instructive ana interesting to those who did not keep IN close touch with the work of the legls- lature.
 Willingham's Review
 The following is the statement issued today bv Superintendent Willingham:
 .The Alabama legislature closed Its session on April 14 Several changes in the school laws and several additions of new laws pertaining to schools Will, we think, be of if-estimable value to the cause of public education in this state.
 "A law was passed defining more spe- .ifcaIlv the nrofessional duties of the county superintendent and giving county boards the option of employing the coun- ty superintendent for his full time II, m their opinion. the people had elected man qualified to perform professional service in the work of supervising the public schools The county board of edu- cation is authorized to fix the salary or inc county superintendent and receive from him monthly reports on blanks fur nisned by the state department of edu- cation, a copy of each report being sent to the state superintendent of edit cation. His duties are specifically pointed out in the law and include in a large measure the usual duties performed by real supervisor of public schools.
 Designate Depository
 "A law was also passed requiring the several county boards of education to designate a depository of public funds which the monthly salaries of the teachers of the county will be paid. This law will relieve the county su- nerintendents largely of the responsi- bility of handling the public school funds Being relieved of the duties of d disburslng officer. some of the coun- " sunerintendents who have not de- voted themselves to supervising the schools will be wondering what they were elected for; but a question of more importance tie people will be asking themselves what he is there for The net result will be the election of county superintendents qualified to su- pervise the schools and willing to su- rervise the schools.
 The present law appropriating 5000 to each county 10 be expended in aiding communities to build and re- pair rural sehoolhouses was amended SO as to appropriate 5000 each year and further amended so as to allow the use of the money in equipping rural schoolhouses as well as in building and repairing them. The law further pro- | Yides the unexpected balances at the end of each fiscal year shall be appor- toned equally among ali the counties | in the state.
 "A law was passed appropriating l s100 to each county annually to aid in 1 establishing and maintaining rural school libraries, s100 available to each of 10 rural schools annually upon con dition that the communities raise slo each and also that the county commits sioners appropriate s10 each for the benefit of the schools receiving this aid.
 "A law was passed appropriating l 5000 annually to be used in the em- 1 ployment of institute conductors for white teachers and $500 annually to l be used in the employment or institute conductors for colored teachers. Insti- tutes are to be held in each county, or possibly when conditions require if. a joint institute of two or more small counties may be held for not less than week All members not holding life certificates are required to attend They are also required to pay fee of not | less than 90 cents. nor more than $1 each. All former work under the name of teachers institutes Is discontinued.
 County high schools will hereafter receive 5000 annually instead of $2000 l each.
 Agricultural schools were given an additional appropriation of 5000 each l 10 be used in the departments of ag riculture and household and domestic | scienee.
 The normal sch ools were given a S5e00 annual increase in their main- l tenance fund as well as direct appro- priatioEs ranging from $10,000 to s60, l 900 for buildings. The girls school at NonteVallo was given an, appropriation of S200,000 for buildings. The Alabama Polytechnic institute at Auburn was giVen S200000. The University of Ala . bama was given an appropriation of s300,0
 Bows Industrial School