Evening journal., 1913-02-14

LEARNS OF
SCHOOL NEEDS
House Reports FaVOrabIy OH
Constitutional Amendment
Providing Single Tax
WORK KEEPS LAWMAKERS
BUSY UNTIL MIDNIGHT

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, Del. Feb. Valentines
Day brought to the Legislature cal
endar for the House of Representa-
tives loaded down with bills. most of
which were reported favorably, and a
few reported unfavorably as a result
Of the first night session. The Senate
did not have much to do. but the
House was in session until midnight
and various committees at intervals
made reports of their consideration
OF bills referred to them. One of the
bills that was reported unfavorably
was that of Representative Swan pro-
posing an amendment to the COnsti-
tuition TO give women the right to
vote. The Senate committee has not
acted on a similar bill introduced by
Senator Reinhardt
One OF the bills reported fayorably
was that Of Representative Bradford
to amend the Constitution by provid-
ing for the application of the single
tax system within territorial subdi-
visions or limits desiring it,
Several of the Revenue and Taxa
tion Commissions bills were report
cd favorably but the one TO increase
to $500 year the special bottle
license for liquor dealers came i'm
with an unfavorable report The bill
10 tax manicurists was reported un-
favorably, and that to tax chiropo-
dists favorably. The committee was
opposed to taxing public baths, how
ever The House bill creating a new
Tf ! 1a .fr,o
cd favOrably. A committee reported
against an increase in salaries OF
members of the Legislature.
Hearing on School Bills.
The joint committee on education
Of the Senate and House gave hear
ing early i'm the evening to the State
Board of Education on the measures
. introduced by Representative owens
embOdying the recommendations Of
the State Board framed after its de-
liberations of the past two years. The
principal bill provides for a general
revision of the rural school system
and makes the Representative district
the unit for rural school districts, in
stead of the representative district
being subdivided into several small
school districts. which system has
prevailed for many years. The bill
provides that school affairs in each
Representative district shall be super
vised by a commission of five men
elected every three years. The quail.
iication for male voters at school
elections is a residence of thirty days
in the district and all school taxes
must be paid Adult women who
pay school taxes also may vote Al
the trienniai elections the voters may
determine whether or not the taxes
for school purposes shall be assessed
ON the full value of the property. OF
on the rental value. The rental shall
be construed on a basis of ten pei
cent. of the property valuation Each
school commission shall elect a clerk
who may be the collector of taxes
too
The bill further provides for the
appointment Of a State Commissioner
of Education who also shall be secre-
tary of the State Board of Education
He shall be named by the State Board
of Education at a salary Of $4,000 a
year. The bill also would vest the
appointment of the county superinten-
dents Of schools in the State Board
of Education. after July /. 1915, at a
salary of S1500 a year, instead OF
$1,000, as at present The bill also
gives each school district the determi-
nation whether or not it desires to
consolidate its schools, choose loca-
TONS etc
The report of the State Board of
Education, embodying its recommen-
dations. was read by George S. Mes
ho hoo aH ar a
Caleb S. Layton, counsel for the
board, explained the bill at length.
Henry Ridgely, Frederick Brady OF
Middletown. Henry c. Davis Of Lau-
rel. members OF the State Board, also
spoke regarding the measure. and
members of the Legislature asked
questions about the various provi-
sions.
Bills reported to the House in
Guided: Representative TESTERS bill
perpetuating and enlarging the char
ter powers OF the Farmers Bank OF
Delaware; Representative Waga-
mons bills to incorporate the Far
meTs' and Citizens Trust Company
and the Henlopcn Savings Bank and
Trust Company.
In the Senate favorable eport was
made on Mr.. Pierce's two bills in
creasing from. 5000 to $500 the allow
ance for tho purchase of land to
shorten tee courses Of Smyrna river
and Mispillion river.
The House committee on revenue
and Xation reported favorably bills
recommended by. the Revenue and
Taxation Commission as follows;
House bill proposing an amendment
to the State Constitution that would
Iermit of the application of the Sin
gle Tax system; House bills t0 IL
censc mercantile agencies. liv sta
bles, ch'ropodisis. bill posters ald dis
trlbutors, laundries, dycrs and scour-
ers, persons without the State keep.
Ing distribution stores within the
Sta.e; regulating mercantile agon-
cies; prescribing penalties for failure
to take out State license within thirty
days cttcr such license is due: House
bill placing merchant tailors in the
class OF merchants and not manufac.
turersi defining the duties of the
Clerk of the Peace n regard to the
collection Of State revenu
The municipal corporations commit
tee of the House made the followinl
reports: House bills. empowering
Rehoboth TO borrow $4,000 far water
works and to raise additional taxes
House bill, to amend the charter o
Wyoming; House bill. to amend tn,
charter Of Camden; House bill. to ex
empt manufacturing sites in Delawar,
City from taxation for ten years
House bills, authorizing Delaware Cit,
to borrow $4,000 for street improve,
ments. and to change the boundaries
or the town; House bills, amending
the charter Of New Castle and for tn,