The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-30
School Buildings Alone Dur ing That Time Have Cost
 Over $1, ,49S,0O0
S437,237 HAS GONE FOR
 IMPROVED ROADS
More Than s600.00O Has Been Spent on County High Schools-Money We'll Spent, But Accounts
 for Deficit
By l.. s. BETTY


 Montgomery, November 29.-(Special) Had the state of Alabama not spent dollar in the construction of school build- |ings during the past eight years, the con- be better off than it is to the extent of s1, ,498, 3O219. In other words, the state since 1907 has spent practically s1, 100000 on school buildings.
 The University of Alabama has been the largest recipient of the states bounty. Figures obtained from the auditors of- fee show that this institution has received for building purposes. since 1907 the sum of $535,000 The Alabama Polytechnic in- stitute at Auburn received for building purposes during the past eight years s26s,- 900. The remainder of the $1, 800 900 went to the other institutions of learning, all of the normal schools, many rural schools and other state institutions sharing in the general distribution.
 In addition to the several amounts enumerated above. every penny of which was used in the purchase of bricks, mor- tar, building material and equipment, the state donated during the past seven years more than OOooo to county high schools. This money was used in paying the oper- ating expenses of these institutions.
 TWO MILLIONS FOR BUILDING
 These figures-totaling more than s2,- 0o0, 0,000-represent what the state has done during the past eight years in improving educational conditions. They stand for something really concrete and tangible, for the various educational institutions ell bear evidence to that fact in the buildings that have been erected during that period. The erection of more than 5G high school buildings presents further proof Of how a considerable part of this g. 000,000 has been spent
 But school buildings do not represent the only concrete evidence of the states bounty. In 1911 a state highway depart ment was established, and since that time there has been spent in the construction of gJod roads $4S7, 237. These roads have been built in nearly every county of Ala bama, and in many localities they are now in as good condition as the day they were completed.
 These various amounts represent expen- ditures up to the beginning of the pres ,ent administration, covering the adminis- trations of Governor Conner and Governor U N6dl. mere IS no neeQ to Indhe COHl- |parisons. In round numbers the two ad- ministrations together spent about $2500,- GOO in school buildings and good roads, and every dollar of this money went to a worthy cause. Furthermore, every dollar of it stands for something material, something concrete, and proof of it may be found on all sides, in every part of the state, and at every place where the state is carrying on her educational en- deavors.
 Had this money not been spent, the state would now be out of debt, but it would be in no better condition than it was in 1907. Eight years would have passed and during that time Alabama would have remained asleep-ia state of innocuous desuetude.
 But the state, under the guidance of her lawmakers through two administrations, decided upon a period of advancement, and while she may have been prodigal at times, it is not difficult to ascertain where the money went.
 TO CANCEL OLD DEBTS
 And yet this prodigality-if such it may be called-is responsible for the present financial condition of the state The proposed bond issue of $1,500, 900, if authorized, will represent little more than one-half of the money spent during the past eight years in school buildings and good roads.
 Governor Henderson has from time to time announced that the money to be authorized by the bond issue will be spent in the cancellation of old debts ars7 Ehat not one penny of 1t will be spent in new obligations. This is his strongest argument in favor of the measure. The state is in debt more than $2,500,000, but facts above show where the whole of that amount went.
 The governor anticipates that the bond issue will carry by large majori- ty, for each day brings him encouraging reports from all parts of the state. In his statement on the financial condi- tion of the treasury. he pointed out how the bonds might be retired by 1880.
 The money was spent as outlined above-there is material and concrete evidence of where every dollar went and with these facts before the people