The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-19
HObDY IN RAGLAND ADDRESS FAVORS
 SPECIAL SCHOOL TAX
Before Teachers Institute Dwells Upon Means of Raising States Educa-
 ti0nal Standard

| here yesterday and the last day was of unusual interest. County Superin- tendent McClendon arrived and pre- sided over the meeting. The main fea- ture of the days programme was the address of Professor Hobdy of Ozark. Mir Hobdy advocates teaching the boys and girls the economies and industries or their life work; how to decrease the cost of living and at the same time increase the income from the farms This can be accomplished, he stated, by adopting modern methods of farming by the most approved scientific meth ods by increasing the productiveness of the soil and decrease labor by apply ing agricultural machinery.
 Good roads over the country would furnish easy means for transporting the over products of the farm to the ready markets. Extra money would fur nish better schoolhouses and erect modern churches and lengthen the term of schools. The latter is to be ac- oomplished by special tax This point MT. Hobdy emphasized. It will be pre- sented before the coming legislature that law may be enacted for a priv | vote this special school tax l MT. Hobdy said that Alabama was the only state that cannot vote spe- clal tax for schools. The next legisla- ture can i'll afford to neglect this ex- ceedingly important matter He strong i ly indorsed the efforts of State Sen ator Watt T. Browns bill passed at the last legislature which was to es- tatlish school at this place for vo- cational education. MT. Brown has fla Vorable promises from capitalists in other sections of the United States to donate to this institution.
 l MT. Hobdy gave statistics of the poys who return to their former homes on the farms and those seeking some professional life or commercial follow ing. These reports show too few talk ing up farm work, thus crowding the professions and commercial world at the expense of farm work, which is the productive calling of the country. 1 All rural schools show shorter terms than city schools. He would have all uniform in length and an increase in | pay for teachers, which is entirely too small for the work done. Alabama has a tax of 23 per cent, while Oklahoma. has "A per cent tax for school pur- poses. The former is near the foot 1 In point of education. while the latter i state is at the top. The county high school at Odenville will begin teach ing industrial education at the com ing session.
 l Prof. J. O. Studivint, the principal, 1 is agent for the summer school at Auburn. which will open in a few days to teach practical farming to boys. St. Clair county will send four boys. One from Springville, Odenville. Ragland, and Senator w. T. Brown will send one at his personal expense. The cost l for attendance at this special course will be $17.50. Professor O'Bryant, who will have charge of the industrial part of the county high school next ses- sion, left for Auburn yesterday.
 Fine rains have fallen during the 1 last few days and the crop outlook i is good with the exception of early corn and vegetables in the dry dis tricts, which have suffered for lack of moisture.
 1 Mrs. Cathlyne Brown celebrated her lninetieth birthday yesterday in the Brown maintains unusual vigor for one of her years.
 The recital given at the public school building Thursday evening by Miss Persinger of Birmin gham was greatly enjoyed. The proceeds are to go for furnishings at the Methodist parson- age.
 The marriage of Miss Eunice McDon- aid to Professor Meadors on July 30 lpromises an unusual event in the so cial circle of the town. The ceremony l will be consummated in the church and | quite a few out-of- town visitors are expected