Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-08
A COUNTER BILL
70 DEFEAT AKIN s
ENEMIES or INITIATED MEASURE
ABOLISHING SCHOOLS ARE
GETTING BUSY.
viewed AS TAX QUESTION
Coming nt Time Payments Are Made
IL Is Believed the Necessary Sign
crs VIII BE Procured

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec, 7.--(spec-
ial Enemies Of the initiated bill
lately proposed by Representative
Oliver II. Adkin of Moore, abolishing
the district agricultural schools and
several other educational institutions,
have prepared measure which viii
be initiated for the sole purpose 1t is
said, Of placing Akin's In ridiculous
light
The counter bin proposes the con-
solidation at Oklahoma City of the
state university at Norman and the
central state normal school at Ed
mond. The very nature of the bill
announces that its initiation is not
sincere. and the fact that the men who
have inspired the move are keeping
In the background, Is evidence that it
is intended for a counter attack on
the Akin measure.
When Representative Akin first an
nounced his intention To initiate a bill
abolshing three normals, the secon-
darv agricultural schools the two uni
versity preparatory schools, the girls
school at Chickasha, the boys school
at Pauls Valley and the school OF
mines at Wilburton, 1t was prophesied
that the movement would receive
slight support 1t has become evident
since the form of petition was filed
with the secretary of state that Akin
will get the Leoessary signers. in all
probability, and that the bill will be
submitted.
AS one state official expressed it,
the initiaters "builded better than
they knew" when they put forth their
petitions just at the time when the
people are paying their taxes, which,
incidentally, are uniformly high the
state over. In all sections of the
state where the voters are not direct
ly interested in one Of the institutions
sought to be abolished. 1t Is n simple
matter to get signers to the petitions.
In a western county circulator ap-
preached Il farmer as he was folding
his tax receipt on emerging from the
county treasurer's office.
will that bin lower taxes?" he
asked.
When assured that it undoubtedly
would, he said:
I'm democrat. but If there's any
thing under Gods beautiful sunshine
that will take dollar off my taxes,
I'm for It. Give It here"
The tax proposition is the only one
that appeals to the men who are sign
ing so freely now. The arguments
against the bill and in favor of the
schools whose destruction is sought,
have not been presented.
The impression is general in state
circles that Akin bit off more than
he can successfully masticate, even
though he experiences ease in getting
the required number Of signers to his
petition and succeeds in having the
bill voted on at the next general cleo
ton or even at a special election. 1t
is certain that there will be organized
and bitter opposition to the bill In the
section surrounding each Of the twelve
schools attacked. In the case Of the
school of mines at Wilburton. all or
ganized labor is arrayed against the
measure, as that institution Is dis
tinctly labors school The Federated
Women's clubs will rise en- masse In
defense of the industrial school for
girls at Chickasha. The Cherokee ma
ton will fight tooth and nail for the
northeastern state normal at Table
quah.
One effective argument being used
against the bill is that IT was de-
signed solely to build up the state
university without regard for the
rights Of people in outlying sections to
have schools of their own. giving nor
NAL and academic courses without the
higher advantages offered by the uni
yersity. It is charged already that
Governor Cruce Is for the bill because
It will help the university and that he
is blind to the advantages offered by
the other schools for that reason.
Former Governor Haskell seized the
first opportunity to place himself on
record against the bill, thus taking
shot at two birds with one stone by
aiding strength to the opposition and
votes to Haskell in the senatorshlp
race at the same time.