Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-03-02
IMPROVE SCHOOLS
Two Million Dollars Is Spent in
State Each Year.
5000 GAIN IN ATTENDANCE
State High School Inspector Makes
Report Showing improvements
Made In Iowa Schools During
Past Five Years.

Des Moines.-Two million dollars q
year in school improvements for five
years is the record made in Iowa. ac-
cording to P. E. McClenahan, state
high school inspector, and there is no
evidence of diminution.
Furthermore, high school attend
ance has increased 5000 in the last
three years
There are more sophomores in the
high schools of the state than there
were freshmen last year, more juniors
than there were sophomores last year,
and more seniors than there were
juniors" says Mr.. McClenahan.
These figures indicate that many
who dropped out of school in earlier
years are returning. for ordinarily
each promotion of a class results in
loss OF from to Is per cent of it's
enrolment.
81 think that the addition of
fourth year to high schools in the
smaller cities of Iowa is chiefly re-
sponsible for the added numbers OF
pupils" said the inspector. "The re-
suit is exactly opposite to what the
public expected. When standards are
raised young people believe they are
getting more for their time, and their
desire for an education increases
with their estimate of it's worth.
Another influence aiding the
growth of the high schools has been
the law authorizing children in the
rural districts to attend the nearest
high school at township expense.
This has brought decided increase"
Notification of Mr.. McClenahan's
statement that the expenditure of
money for permanent school improve
ment still continues is obtainable
from other sources.
A compilation of building opera
tons in the cities of Iowa made by a
contracting firm shows that sixty-five
city school buildings have been auth
orized or contracted for in Iowa this
year.
II these buildings average 100000
apiece, the authorized expenditures
in city schools alone is s1,950,000.
with many bonding propositions still
to be heard from in the spring cleo.
tons, and the amount spent on con-
solidated country schools to be added.
The rapidly with which the consoli-
dated school movement is growing
t1ro, nh ~ he 81 70 L "a this uoor'c
investment uncertain, with the prob
ability of assuming large proportions.
1t is certain that the five year aver
age reported by Mr.. McClenahan viii
be exceeded and perhaps nearly
doubled in 1916.
Ask Bids for State Supplies.
Proposals are being asked for by
Harry Shropshire, purchasing agent
for the Iowa institutions under the
plies for the next six months period.
Bids will be received on goods rang
ing from dry goods to meats and
sugar.
1t is the desire OF the state board
to give as many contracts to Iowa
firms as possible. Hence all firms OF
this state capable of handling big
contracts are asked to submit bids.
The law requires the officials to let
contracts to the lowest bidders in all
lines.
The state will use about 100000
pounds OF meat at the institutions du-
ring the next half year, Mr.. Shrop-
shire says. This is in addition to the
pork and beef which is raised at some
OF the institutions.
About $4,000 pounds OF sugar will
be purchased. Unfortunately, the
price has advanced since the contract
was let six months ago, so that sugar
is almost luxury again. Last fall
the board bought sugar at S5.10 per
100. The wholesale firms are now
asking $3.50 per 100. However. it is
predicted that the price will fall
sharply before April /, so that the
board will not be in hurry to buy
the supply Of sugar.
Proposals are being asked also on
hardware, dry goods, drugs, boots and
shoes and all other supplies needed.
Dealers say that prices have advanced
on most OF these things
Test Stallion Registration Law.
Through prosecution of Pat Nc
CURE Of Holstein the state depart
ment OF agriculture is bringing about
a test OF the state stallion registra-
ton law. For several years Mcclure
has defied the law, claiming it uncon-
stitutional. He has refused to comply
with it. The state began prosecution
and the case will soon be scheduled
for trial at Ida Grove. The outcome
will interest every horseman in Iowa
Governor Suspends Sentence.
John Penny (colored), sentenced to
thirty years In prison in connection
with the murder of Walter Lockland
in Emmett county, in 1899, will be re-
leased soon. Governor Clarke has
recommended suspension of SEN
tence. He has served sixteen years
and Is entitled to his release through
good behavior.
Penny was one Of the men employ
ed on railroad construction job in
Emmett county and when he and an
other workman engaged in a quarrel
with Lockland the latter was killed.
Plan Fair Attractions.
The Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota,
Oklahoma and Texas state fair asso-
ciations are working together in get
ting an aviation feature for the 1916