Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-10-25


s p. m, 64; northwest wind; clear.
grade school, with 500 month, gives
SIS a month to the teacher These
salaries are low enough, but ii is
pointed out that the enactment of
this amendment of this per cent
limitation into the constitution rey
moves permanently all incentive for
the teacher holding third grade GER
tificate to work for a second or a
first grade certificate because the
school district where she works as
a third grade teacher cannot possibly
pay the, increased salary of SIS a
month. Such an increase would be
practically 33 1-3 per cent, whereas
the law allows an increase of the
school district expenses, for all pur-
poses, of but per cent.
Growth win BE Retarded.
The amendment, it is contended,
will operate to so limit the possible
revenues of school districts, as to pre-
vent, at least for years to come. any
material improvement in school
buildings and, equipment. In effect
IL prohibits growth of schools beyond
a rate of s per cent a year. This
would mean in application that 8 per
cent would be the rate of improve
ment not only in rural schools but in
towns and even in cities like Albu-
querque, where, no matter what the
growth Of population and school pop
ulation might be, the school author
tiles could only increase operating
outlay per cent without q special
permit of the state tax commission,
The difficulty of obtaining such a
permit has been fully Illustrated. il
Is stated, during the past two years
of operation under the R9i5 law
which this amendment wVdld write
into the constitution.
Wagner Urges Defeat.
"The voters of New Mexico will de-
feat this proposed tax amendment
if they understand its effect upon
our schools said State Superinten-
dent Wagner today. "Ordinariy this
department would take no part in 4
question to be determined by the
voters. We have refrained strictly
from any participation in election
activities. But this question has to
do not only with school revenues, but
will determine whether our schools
shall grow and become more effective.
or whether they shall stand still and
stagnate. For that reason we have
felt it TO be our duty to tell the peo-
ple Just what this tax amendment
means and what it will do to the
schools of this state.
"I do not believe that the interests
fostering this proposed tax amend
ment' deliberately sought TO cripple
the school system. do believe that
in their eagerness to limit taxes OF
all kinds, regardless of the results
that they entirely missed thinking or
the schools or the welfare OF our
children. Either that, or these in
terests take the attitude that they
will ride rough shod over the schools
and the children, If they stand In the
way of the ends those interests seek
Worse i'm Constitution.
mo man at all familiar with the
needs of our country schools VIII
deny that this law. as law. has ope-
rated to hold back school advance
ment. It follows of course that II
It has temporarily held back our
schools as law. 1t will permanently
hold back advancement If written
into the state constitution.
"We who have studied the law ana
who know the effect of the proposed
amendment feel that we are not only
iistified, but that it Is our duty TO
urge upon fathers and mothers OF
this state, and upon all who stand
for better schools, that they defeat
this proposed tax amendment. Those
who would wipe out iiliteracy In New
Mexico. and eradicate our so-called
dark Spots must defeat this amend
ment. for il 1t is enacted into the
constitution many years will pass be.
fore these greatly desired edmcatlona'
achievements can come to pass.