The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-20
HOGAN AND PHILLIPS
 DISCUSS SCHOOLS
Educational Needs Subject Discussed at Weekly
 Luncheon

pr F. P. Hogan of the city board of education and pr. J. II. Phillips both gave short talks on Birmingham's edu- eational needs at the weekly luncheon of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday noon at the Gold Lion tea room. L. sevier. who had been scheduled to make an address on the same subject, was out of the city
 In telling of the educational needs in Birmingham. pr. Hogan pointed out that there were about 300 promotions to the | high school per year with about 100 gradu- ations-a condition that lead to congestion | In the public schols. Inadeauacy of school l buildings and lack of space were round ly scored by the speaker. The conditions in the negro schools were also mem toned, where there Is also lack of buildings and room. pr. Hogan said that the bond issue for raising funds for the betterment of the schools was a necessary move. Tn his talk he mem toned practically every school building in the city. pointing out just where each one fell short
 We need not only improvements on the old high school building. but a new build ing" he said.
 Tt is evident to all who have con sidered the question of maintaining our schools that we must have the privilege of taxing ourselves as a local school dis triet. The state of Alabama now has a special tax of mills for school purposes and also a state appropriation for conn mon schools which is riable, being $3O0,- 000 approximately for the present year. There Is also a county tax of 1 mill for school purposes.
 Jefferson county also has a special tax of ia mill for school purposes. The city of Birmingham receives from the state and county about half the amount that
 Is needed for maintaining the schools, notwithstanding the Iact that it pays a large percent of the taxes of the state. The additional sum neccessary for main tainipg our schools Is appropriated by | our commissioners out of the fund pro- vided from the city tax of $1 on each $1o0 50 per cent of this sum being used for the payment of interest on bonds and In providing a sinking fund for the redemp- ton of bonds, the other 50 per cent of the total amount being used for main taning all departments of city govern ment, including the schools.
 Tn the judgment of the board of edu- cation our commissioners, the members of the Chamber of Commerce and other commercials CIVIC dilu inuuSAIlhl oIbdn- izatlons and the peoplb generally should unite in securing the passage of a reso- luton by the legislature at its next ses- sion authorizing the submission to the people of the state of an amendment to the constitution providing for an optional district school tax which, for municipali- ties of 25.000 or over should not be less than mills. If such an amendment to the constitution can be secured and I3ir- mingham can have this privilege of tax ing herself for the maintenance of her schools, this local mill tax will, in tho Judgment of the board of education pro- vide for the annual maintenance of the public schools. tho sum required in addi- ton to state and county funds. provide a fund for repairs upon old buildings. the purchase of sites and the erection of new buildings as required. instead of the present policy of issuing bonds when new school buildings are needed; provide. for the payment of the interest on all school bonds, thus relieving the treasury of the city of the burden now carried"
 In concluding his talk Dr. Hogan said that he thought the primary cause for child education was not for the individual, but for the best interests of the state at large.
 Dr. Phillips spoke for a few minutes and strongly seconded the remarks made by Dr. Hogan. The next luncheon of the Chamber of Commerce will be held next Wednesday, the speakers and sub jects being announced later