Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-05-09
SCHOOL PATRONS NOMINATE THREE
 FOR CITY BOARD F. A.. Howel, J. T. Palmer and l. F. Magee Chosen
 Candidates. DISCUSS THE NEED FOR MORE REVENUE School Betterment Association Prob ably Will Undertake Campaign of Publicity in Behalf of 12.Mill
 School Tax.

Dr. J. T. Palmer, president of the
 School Betterment association; D. A.
 Howell, president of the Pine Bluff school board, and l. [. Magee, rep
 resentative in the last general assem- bly,, were nominated for school dl-
 rectors by the association at meet ing in the courthouse last night. The meeting, which at first promis- ed to be a very formal affair, was
 enlivened by tilt between MT. Ma
 gee and John D. Mills, who resented
 what he interpreted as a reflection on the members of the school board. Mrs. J. w. Blackburn intervened with
 an attempt to make it clear that the
 association and the school board
 were in accord in the aim to improve the schools, and that the request for
 an: itemized financial statement was
 not made with the intent of reflecting
 upon the board or with the purpose of attempting to find something to
 criticize, but with view of obtain ing information to determine if a 12-
 mill tax for schools is necessary, and, if so, of using the information to con- vince the voters of the necessity for voting the increase in taxation. There were about 10 present, in cluding a number of ladies, when Mr. Palmer called the meeting to or der In the absence of the secretary, Arthur Mills, the president, requested Tracy Mills to serve in that capacity. MT. Mills was requested to explain the purpose of the meeting. | Publicity Needed, Says Magee. MT. .Magee. related details of con- ference between a committee of the
 association and the school board last
 Thursday night, when an 'itemized statement of receipts and disburse7
 ments was requested explaining the information was desired to ascertain the amount needed for the operation of the schools, and if the amount at hand would be sufficient. He said that :some have got the idea that publicity in these matters would
 cause the people to "vote down the increase" in taxation, but declared that opposition to the increase is due to the>sfact that little publicity has attended the school boards proceed ings, and is based on the apprehen- sion that the money will not be used as it should be-" He said he stood for the betterment of the schools, and
 for publicity in public affairs. MT. Magee here read a letter from
 E. A. Howell, president of the school
 board, in regard to asrequest d for in formation asked by sthe association. Mr >HOwell's letter follows:
 Progress of Schools. "Pine Bluff, Ark, May 8, 1917.
 "School Benefit Association, City.
 Your spokesman's talk to the school board, Thursday evening, May 3, was in some respects surprise to the writer, especially where he re- ferred to some rumors that could cas- fly have been corrected by consulting
 any member of the board. The work ings Of the present board have always
 been open, and I am sure no man can say truthfully he was refused to see
 any books or papers pertaining to the schools. The writer has been on the
 school board for six years. Since that time the Riverside school, Sam Fay Tor school Pine Street school and Merrill school, besides several port able schools have been built. Annex has been added to the First Ward school and Missouri Street school, all at cost of $75,S32.94. Real estate to the amount $15,017.5O has been pur- chased. At that time the new High school had just been built and the bonded indebtedness was $100, 100000. This debt has been decreased to $67,00000. Domestic science and the commercial course has been added to High school.
 In 1911 our revenue Was.....$70, ,553.5S
 In 1916 our revenue W@s,... "A ,501 02
 Increase slightly over per cent.
 Teachers employed, 911.........5S
 Teachers employed, 1917...............S .S1 Increase about 40 per cent
 Average pupils belonging, 1911. ..2,416
 Average pupils belonging, 1917. ..3,626 Increase about 50 per cent.
 Average pupils belonging to High school, 1911..,.................. PA Average pupils belonging to High school, 1917...... 536 Increase about 100 per cent. "This think very creditable, show ing that more children are taking ad- vantage of High school course. "rhe amount paid teachers in 1917 over 1911, about A per cent increase. Thus you can see attendance and ex- penses increased from 40 to 30 per- cent, versus increase revenue, per cent.
 "The board estimates budget, 1917