The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1913-01-22

nor shall appoint not less than five
nor more than seven women resi-
dents of the cities of the first, second
and third class to act as trustees to
carry into effect the stipulations OF
the act. To make possible the innova-
tion the bill provides for an appro-
priation by the state of 100000, of
which 100000 shall be available for
cities of the first class, 100000 for
cities of the second class and 100000
to be divided among cities of the
iourth class by the auditor general
and state treasurer, according to the
respective populations In the census
of 1910. The payments for the sup
port of such INDECENT children at their
homes would be made direct to their
mothers by the state treasurer on war
rants to be drawn by the auditor gen
eral.
That only worthy cases may be pro-
vided for the bill stipulates that no
payments shall be made until the trus-
tees have satisfied themselves that in
order for the mother TO keep her chill
dren at home monthly payment is
necessary and then only upon reports
from the teacher of the district school
stating that the child or children are
attending school and that the case is
in every respect worthy one.
To Improve State Charities.
Notwithstanding the fact that Gov
ernor Tener in his messabe recon-
mends that the present state board OF
public charities be continued and that
If necessary the legislature grant it
more potent powers, an association
has been formed throughout the state
for the purpose of urging the passage
OF additional laws which i is claimed
would put the charitable and state
aided institutions on more effective
basis. Briefly stated the objects or
this association are: The entire elm
ination of politics from the states
charitable system, the adoption of a
sound state policy in making charit-
able appropriations based on scien-
tific standards and classifications, the
development of an adequate system OF
state institutions before extending
state aid to local charities under pri-
vate management, the segregation OF
all feeble minded persons By 1918,
adequate care for the insane and the
adoption OF preventive measures
against insanity as an auxiliary to
state care, the immediate removal OF
all children from almshouses, the pro-
viding of adequate state or county
care for the tuberculous within five
years, the establishment of state
industrial home for women and the
undermining of state penitentiaries
and county jails, the adoption of more
modern and scientific methods in deal
ing with inebriety and vagrancy and
the strengthening of probation work
and methods, particularly for adult
offenders.
Against Changing School Code.
Although the state board of educa-
ton in its biennial report states that
the sanitary conditions of the rural
schools in Pennsylvania are deplorable
they uphold the efficiency of the pres
ent school code and the report advises
against any radical changes being
made in the law. The reforms neces-
sary. it states, are matters of local
administration solely and could be
remedied by the local school boards.
The state board, however, strongly
urges an increase of $5,0O0,000 in the
annual appropriation and declares that
the reduction in the size of the local
school boards is one of the most bene-
fetal pieces of legislation ever enact
ed, as it was shown that an incalcul-
able amount of time was thereby
saved and the efficiency of the school
administration was increased. The
board gives as its ultimate object the
equalization of educational oppor-
tunities throughout the state to pre-
vent the desire for transfer Of at
tendance by pupils from their home
to another district
On the question of an additional ap-
preparation the report states that with
out this increase the school code can
not be fully effective. The money OBJ
tanned from the local communities is
said to be insufficient and the present
school tax rate is as great as the tax.
payers will bear 1t is shown how
hundreds of farm owners move to the
cities that their children may receive
better education and the burden Is
consequently thrown upon the tenant.
This difficulty may probably be re-
moved in certain localities by a re-
adjustment in the apportionment, but
a general survey of the state shows
the pressing necessity for greater
funds.
The board states that 1t has been
working toward the creation of a
permanent state school fund and de-
clares that Pennsylvania is one of the
few states that does not benefit by
such provision. Such fund is made
possible by the school code, the
revenue to be derived from escheated
estates, the sale of water rights, the
forest reservations and other sources,
Statements have been obtained from
the stockholders of the Edinboro,
California, West Chester, Lock Haven,
Bloomsbury and Clarion State normal
schools that they would be willing to
enter into negotiations with the state
for the sale of their schools and this
purchase is strongly recommended
The property of the thirteen normal
schools is worth s5,7O2,S56 and the
state holds liens to the amount of ST.
571 ,OS6 and private mortgage against
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