The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-18
WeatherIy of Opinion That
if Measure Is Authorized
Overwhelming Defeat
Will Result
BOARD OF EDUCATION
TOLAY FACTS BEFORE
COMMISSION TODAY
City Already Within One Million of
Limit as to Bond Issues-Commis-
mission Does Not Believe the
School Situation as Acute
as Reported

On the eve of the school conference it
may be said with every assurance that
the commission will not authorize bond
issue for school improvements.
Judge Lane announced his opposition to
such measure yesterday morning. Com
missioner James Weatherly is also OPP
posed to such step. This being true
there cannot be any chance for the board
of educations request for s15oo.0oo to re-
suit In success
That the commission would not be swept
off its feet by appeals for more schools
based upon sentiment was what Mr..
Weatherly said. He is for all proper
furtherance of school work, however. The
commission does not admit that the situa-
tion here as viewed by the school authori-
ties is as acute as reported. That the
report was based on 70 per cent total
attendance while that attendance was not
regular is information CLEANED by the
commissioners.
Mr.. Weatherly is of the opinion that
the bond issue IL authorized will meet
an overwhelming Waterloo. He does not
believe the plain people would even con-
slider such a step. This is based upon
the general grounds that the situation is
not as bad as reported and the poverty
of this municipality.
Weatherly Strong for Education
Il hope to participate in friendly dis
cussion of the school needs here said
Mr.. Weatherly. However the commits
sion will not be stampeded with senti-
mental pleas for the children. I am
strong for education and every man in his
dition here we are not half as bad Off
as one would expect from the reports
that have been circulated
lit is my Judgment that If we author
lied such an issue as 81, 100000 as con-
templated it would meet an overwhelming
defeat at the hands of the people. 1t
should be defeated and 1 think justly so.
1T is simply primary TO figure this
proposition. Birmingham has s., 800, 00o
income per annum. 1t requires above
100000 to pay interest We give about
100000 to the schools. The remainder
is required to run the general govern
iiltill we are Nilllln Si,pU,bUO Ol our {
per cent limit as to bond issues. To float
81, 100000 for schools that would cost $780,
900 per year. Notwithstanding this simple
situation the board of education comes
along and wants to take that whole finan-
cial leeway in one full swoop. They do
not propose TO make any sacrifices, it
would seem. They do not seem to think
that every department of this govern
ment has made sacrifices TO meet this
situation of poverty. Why Frank Gaf-
ford is running the street department
about $500 under the budget at this time.
All departments have been cut very
deeply.
School System First Rate
Il am exceedingly proud of the citizen
who is the father of children that he
wants educated and Is willing to pay taxes
to educate those children. 1t is laud-
able ambition and every man is appealed
to by 1t. However as l see our situa-
tion here we can take care of all that
come for some time. My own idea is
that some of the buildings should be torn
down. But to others there should be
additions to meet the needs. The money
given the schools should be traced direct
" 70 each and every student in order to
see If each one Is getting scientifically
his just ratio. This amalgamation of
the school buildings would give room, L
think, for all that apply for instruction
Taken on broad plane I believe our
school system Is first rate. 1t needs re-
pairs in places, but this question of a
bond issue of so much money is not for
this time. This is great vital ques-
tion. 1t is deep far reaching question
Tt must be settled scientifically and not
in haphazard way"
These frank statements of Mr.. Weatb-
erly are enough to indicate that the ma
jority of the commission are arrayed
against the bond issue. 1t follows, there
fore, that the authority for the issue will
not be given and therefore cannot be
held.
Notwithstanding the public expression
from the commission the meeting will be
held this morning to discuss the needs
for better school facilities. What COM
promise will be suggested and approved
is very problematical.