The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1911-12-22
TO STRIKE DOWN
OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS
Avowed Object is to Promote Interests
of the Akin Initiative
Bill.


ths interests OF economy was COM
mended: a constitution was adopted
and a temporary organization formed
by the Taxpayers Educational league
of Oklahoma at the Lee-Huckins hotel
Saturday afternoon, and another meet
ing has been called for the first Satur-
day in January, when a permanent or
ganization viii be formed in support Of
the bin initiated by Representative
Oliver II. Akin Of Moore, for a reduc-
ton in the number OF state schools,
About twenty persons attended the
meeting.
J. S. Moore of Altus. Jackson county,
was elected president of the league;
Oliver H. Akin Of Moore was named
secretary treasurer, and John G. James
OF Roff. former president Of the A. &
NJ. college Of Bryan, Texas. is first
vice president Other vice presidents
will be named later. and they viii be
ex-oficio presidents OF the county or
ganizations.
The meeting was called by Mr. Akin,
who declared that II is not the purpose
OF the organization 10 put the blame
for the deplorable condition OF affairs
that now exists in the state on the
shoulders of any person or organization
but that there is a condition of educa-
tional chaos with little return and large
expenditures Of money, which it is the
purpose TO remedy.
He said that while the state has
spent 81 100000 on state school build
ings, this is merely prelude to what
will be expended later, and that now
is the best time to check this waste,
which within few years viii have
grown to at least 100000 for build.
ings alone.
Local High School.
The normal and other schools main
tanned by the state, he said. are mere
ly local high schools, instead of higher
educations of learning, and he referred
to the fact that at the School of Mines
at Wilburton there are but twelve stu.
dents who live outside of the town in
which the institution is located.
The per capita cost of education at
state institution. he declared. is
from $3.50 to $475 per year Edmond
has the lowest per capita cost with
$3.50, while the secondary agricultural
school at Lawton is highest with s475
Many high schools of the state give
equal advantages at cost of less than
$40 per capita, he said.
He said that the entire system of
public schools is but scheme for more
prestige on the part of the politicians,
and the best time to stop it is right
now.
Following he election of officers, a
constitution with the following pre-
able was adopted:
I'VE, taxpayers OF the state of Okla
homa, in convention assembled being
fully convinced that there is a great
lack of economy, useless duplication
and little returns from the investment.
in the So-ealled higher institutions of
learning in this state; that there is not
at present a proper balance between
the expenditures for this class of
schools and the expenditures for edu-
cation in the rural communities, mas
much as 95 per cent of the youths of
the state never. under present condi-
tions in the rural schools, can hope Of
receiving any benefit from this great
expense; second, as a result of that
capital and population is being driven
from out commonwealth; therefore we
associate ourselves together for the
purpose of obtaining immediate relief
by eliminating a number of the So
called higher Institutions of learning. I"
The following resolution. indorsing
the stand taken by Governor Cruce.
also was adopted:
Whereas, Governor Cruce has de.
monsrated TO the people of the state
that he is using every possible means
Of reducing the expense of the admin
stration of state government, and has
sent out letters to the public encourag-
ing closer watch on the expenditure
of the local units of government, and
whereas. he has indorsed the idea Of
a reducation of the number of state in
stitutions and the stopping of useless
duplication in our educational system
therefore be 1t resolved by the mem
bers of the Taxpayers Educational
League in mass meeting assembled at
Oklahoma City, this sixteenth day of
December, 1911, that we extend to him
our hearty endorsement for the stand
he has taken for economy, and pledge
ourselves to help In every way possible
TO make this issue reality and to re-
duca our cvcfanl m mora aeouornfe