The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-30
COURT MEETS TODAY

Inc usual MOnudy morning du-
dresses will be heard in the Biz
mingham courts, w. S. Brewer speak
ing in the criminal court. S. j. Bowie
in the city court, and Hug Locke in
the circuit court. At the Bessemer
court Congressman Huddleston will be
heard.
The idea of a statewide tag day,
suggested Saturday night, has found
general favor and it will be adopted
in many communities. The purpose is
to have every citizen tagged" on Sat
urday before the election with a tag
that will contain a reminder to vote
for the educational amendment" and
some terse argument in favor of the
measure. The cooperation of the
women will be solicited in carrying
through this plan of a free tag for
free schools" and it is expected to
prove decided factor in stimulating
interest In the amendment election and
in getting out the vote.
Speaking of the situation in Jeffer-
son county, ]. r. Hornady, chairman
Of the county campaign committee,
said last night: Interest in the edu-
cational amendment is growing as the
people become informed as to its vital
character, and there is no doubt about
how the vote will go in Jefferson. The
fact is being impressed upon the peo-
pie that if this amendment should
meet with defeat because of indiffer-
ence or from other causes 1t would
close the door of opportunity for many
years. 1t would be a long time be-
fore another similar amendment would
be submitted and in the meantime
Alabama would have to so on strug
Cling against the most adverse con-
ditions; conditions that are bad
enough now but which will be infiniter
ly worse when the compulsory attend
ance law becomes operative.
A TYPICAL CASE
"The situation in Alabama is we'll
illustrated by condition which was
brought to my attention few days
ago in Escambia county. Here there
is a little settlement partly in Ala
bama and partly in Florida. On the
Florida side of this community there
is an attractive four-room school
house, nicely painted and furnished in
modern style--an up-to-date public
school. On the Alabama side, in the
same community and within about half
mile of this modern Florida school,
Is the Alabama public school. 1t is n
one-room shack that has never been
painted. has never been equipped and
which cost only $3.50 when it was erect
ed The difference between these
schools. each in the same community
and each serving the same race of
people, is accounted for by the fact
that Florida has local taxation for
school purposes and Alabama has not.
Therefore the children OF Florida are
infinitely better off than those os
Alabama.
ITO my mind. the child who is born
in Alabama should have a chance
equal to the chance given the boy
born in Florida. or any other state
To furnish educational opportunities
better than those now enjoyed is the
first duty of Alabama citizens.
alabama is the only state in the
union that forbids local taxation for
school purposes, and it is significant
that Alabama should rank at the bot
tom of the class in matters educa-
tional. The time has come when Ala
bama should profit by the experience
of other states and cease to tie the
hands of those who are eager to do
for their children what common sense
and parental affection dictates.
Another thing. the people of Ala
bama who patronize the inadequate
schools of the present are paying more
than a half million dollars year in
fees, supplements and special contri-