Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1912-09-27
SPECIAL COMMISSION URGES
MERITS OF NEW PLAN TO
FINANCE STATE EDUCA-
TIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
STRONG CIRCULAR ISSUED
MilIage Tax and Single Board of Re-
gents Favored; COntemplates No
Increase in Taxation But Removes
Institutions From Domination of
Politics is Declaration.

Defending the initiative Millage tax
bill for the support of the Oregon
State University and the Oregon Ag-
ricultural college, proposed by the
special commission appointed by
Governor West, the commission is out
in a strong appeal to the voters of
the state, urging it's adoption at the
election Nov. 5. THE issues involved
in this bill are simple, direct ques-
tlons, easily understood by anyone
who will take the time to- read it, and
we feel sure that it will appeal to the
voting public as a wise and sensible
measure" says the circular.
THE initiative Millage tax bill"
continues the appeal, providing for a
six tenths of mill tax, four sew
enths for the use of the Agricultural
college, and three sevenths for the
use of the University, and providing
also for a single Board of Regents,
was prepared by joint committee
from the Governors special commits
sion appointed to solve Oregon's
higher educational problem, and
from the Boards of Regents from
the two institutions, and is offered as
a substitute for all the present leg
islative bills for support and govern
ment of the two Institutions.
No Taxation Increase.
This bill does not increase the av-
erage' rate of taxation for the sup
port of the two, institutions as. shown
during the last ten years. The aver
age during this period is a trifle over
six tenths of a mill.
'The State of Washington is at
present paying for the same purposes
seventeen hundredths of a mill more
than the Oregon bill calls for, name
ly, fOrty-five hundredths of a mills
for the University and thirty-two
hundredths of a mill for the Agricul-
tural College.
"The growth of the two institu-
tions will certainly keep pace with
the growth of wealth in the state, as
has been shown by the experience of
all other states using the millage ba-
sis of support.
"This bill expressly repeals the
100000 appropriations of the legis-
lative session of two years ago, now
submitted to the voters under the
referendum (official numbers on the
pclllOlJ otH, % OiOJ lOI lHGlI
approval or rejection.
The present standing appropria- |
tions to be contiued for one year are
most urgently needed to give the in
stitutions a start in buildings and to |
carry them through the period while |
the mill tax is being collected.
Out of Politics.
The passage of this bill will take |
the University and Agricultural col
lege out of politics. The efficiency |
and dignity of the institutions de- |
mand permanency of support and |
freedom from political entangle- |
ments.
Through the unified control of the
single board, hearty cooperation of
the two institutions will be insured |
The advantages of a combined insti-
tuition will be secured, and the ad-
vantages which come from segrega-
ton will not be sacrificed.
"Since the millage bill involves the
question of taxation, it should be
taken directly to the people. 1t is
therefore not an abuse but a proper
use of the initiative law, and the bill
should be voted upon its merits.