The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-15
GROUP 1-WFIITl

Fer G3plIa. Winston ---.-...---.-..-.........$ 3.75 CuAman ........................ 4. 6S
 GROUP 2BLACK BELT
 DcwndeS ........................... 36. 61 BULLOCK ......-..--..--....--.-.. 3l bl Dallas .......................... 29 %
 By way of explanation, I will add that the overwhelming majority of peo- pie in group 1 are white and group ? are black, and the discrepancy between the amount expended for the education of the white child in the different counties is due to that circumstance. For example, the amount expended in Lowndes for ne- gro children is $2.13, in Bullock $1.35, and in Dallas $2.16.
 Now, the effect of Judge Kelton's con tention is to emphasize, accentuate and increase this discrepancy. Every one of the black belt counties, except Dal- from the treasury than it puts in. Judge Kelton wants more money paid irto the state treasury. This will still widen the discrepancy between the oppor- tunities given to the white child in the white counties and the opportunities given to the white child in the black counties. Does Judge Kelton want this :? IT apprehend not, but that will be the effect of the plan he advocates.
 HE PRESENT SYSTEM
 These illustrations show abundant funds for the white children in some counties and totally inadequate funds for the white children in other counties This situation results from the distribu- ton of the money through one agency at Montgomery. We cannot find any better basis than the distribution of money in proportion to school population, and we cannot take from the black belt counties of the state the right to distribute the money as between the races in their best Judgment and discretion. While we can not do this, it would seem absurd to pile up unnecessary money in some coun- ties and leave others inadequately sup piled. The only practicable method of meeting this difficulty is not in the manner suggested by Judge Kelton, but is by the adoption of the proposed amendment.
 8. Under the proposition now pending no sources of revenue now available for school purposes are interfered with. Ad- dttional funds are permitted only by vote of the people themselves. Every dollar paid in under the proposed amend ment if the tax should be levied will be expended in the county where paid, but without affecting in any way amounts now being contributed by the larger to the smaller counties. If. for example, Blount county wishes to levy tax un-' der the proposed amendment 1t would keep every dollar 1t received in that county. None of it would go to swell the funds available in Lowndes and Bull lock and the other counties of the state. On the contrary, if Lowndes did not want to levy the additional tax, it would still receive from the state treasury what it is receiving at present.
 A. That there is an overwhelming need for improved educational opportunities in Alabama, there can be no doubt. The need is as great relatively in Blount as in any other county, but it exists all over the white counties of the state. It does not exist in some of the black belt counties. The relief granted is op- tional everywhere.
 T repeat, if we cannot trust the peo- pie with the ballot in this matter. when should we trust them"