The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-04
HORNADY UNABLE ID SEE HOW SCHOOL s
 GAN REMAIN OPEN
Is Therefore In Favor of the Street Tax or Some Other Measure to Increase the
 City's Revenue

That the condition of the school fl- nances are such that adequate care of the children of this city is at the present time impossible was the statement of Commissioner John R. Hornady yester- day.
 Commissioner Hornady further stated that the statement of Commissioner Ar lie Barber that the schools would not be closed was misleading and without criticizing the head of the public safety department he averred that with the commission advocating temporary street tax in order that the schools might be kept open, and with MT. Bar Der making assertions that the schools would be kept open anyhow, the board of commissioners were being placed in a wrong attitude before the public.
 ''In the first place." said Commissioner Hornady, 'it should be understood by everybody that the street tax is only a temporary measure to secure funds to keep the schools open
 "Of course Commissioner barber who opposes the tax is authority for the statement that the schools will be kept open, but as head of the educational department I am at loss to know just how this will be done.
 However. I have no desire to criticize Commissioner Barber. He means well. If this street tax is defeated MT. Bar Nor proposes that we should pay the teach CTS In scrip. Now, MT. Barber knows very we'll if he will take time to think il over, that the commission cannot do that. Paying in scrip would be exceed ing our income as it would be simply borrowing ahead, and a di~-rt viola tion of the law. MT. Barber is just simply hoping that the schools will be kept open, just as we all are We, meaning the majority of my col leagues, think that by passing the street tax ordinance some revenue may be de rived whereby we can keep the schools open. If this measure is not passed, then we up against it, and merely hoping to keep the schools open will not keep them open
 At the present every father with I child in school is paying 25 cents Il month With the imposition of a street tax this sum would be eliminated and thus for the fathers of large families the street tax would be much cheaper. This aspect of the proposed law has not been considered but the artisans of the city should ponder over it right now.
 Another feature of the street tax Is that it is purely and simply a temporary mea sure. This should be brought forci- bly, to the public mind. The schools must be kept open, and this tax will do it. Really if this feature of the tax is kept in mind, few indeed will have the hardi- hood to oppose it.
 'In November of this year we will 'ote on a constitutional amendment whereby counties and school districts will be given the right to impose a tax of three mills for school purposes. If this amend ment carries and I have no doubt that the voters of the state will favor it, it will mean big impetus to our schools, as the amount of moneys now available to support the schools of Birmingham will be trebled.
 ''So it can be seen that the street tax
 is merely a temporary measure. As soon as the constitutional amendment is carried and the city is in better con- dition the commission will repeal the street tax. In other words the present attitude of the city commission is merely in the sense of an earnest appeal to the patriotic citizens of the city. The ques- ton IS. are you gong 10 allow your schools to be closed?
 Ignorance is the primary cause of poverty. That is well known and the poor people who oppose this tax gain nothing if their schools are closed
 T merely make this statement because l desire that the public understand our attitude. l am in favor of anything that will keep the schools open, whether it be a street tax or a liquor tax, and at the same time I desire to work no hard ship on anyone"
 While Commissioner Hornady was making his statement City Health Off Ger pr. R. M. Cunningham dropped in and said:
 Tt is benefits without taxation. That is the attitude of great many in the city. l favor a law that any healthy and abe-bodied man that does not con tribute anything to the city, county or state in the matter of taxation shall be taxed and if it is shown that he is un- able to pay such taxes that he be de- clared pauper. l am strongly in favor of this street tax whereby money will be secured to operate the schools
 About the city hall yesterday the city service tax or street tax was the prin- cipal topic of conversation. However, it does not appear that the original draf of the measure will be materially changed when it comes up for pa ssa ge at next Tuesdays meeting.
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