Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-02-16
EDUCATION
Numerous Educational institutions
Tell Why Should Have State AID

Tell Why Should Have State Ala
charming Young lady filled with en-
thusiasm for the school she represented
caused a great laugh when she appeared
before the committee on educalioh
Thursday afternoon and innocentiy III
ouired: Perhaps people are In the hapit
of asking for more than they know they
will get-are they?" Everybody set up 4
howl and the digniied Senator Walker
who was presiding. laughed heartily at
the question so innocently put by such ali
apt lobbyist. The young lady was Mrs'
Robert owen, wife of the principal OF
Erskine Academy in China and teacher
in the school, which through representa-
tjves was asking for $50 for each Of the
years 1917 and 1918.
"You have the interest of the school at
heart. haven't you?" asked Sen. Walker
Indeed l have" replied the vivacious
Young lady. and so we'll did she tell the
needs of the school that doubtless the
committee will favor an Ought to pass
on the resolve.
Many of the hearings scheduled LOT
Thursday before this committee were
postponed until next Wednesday because
of confiction with other committee near
ings where members felt they should APP
pear.
The act to establish military training
in the public schools was continued u
next Wednesda. upon request OF sen
Wood Bishop Walsh of Portland was
nresent because ne was interested iii TINS
measure.
The resolve in favor of Gould's Acad-
emv at Bethel was also continued upon
request of Sen. Hastings of Androscog-
gin.
,, The resolve in favor of the trustees or
Freedom Academy was also continue"
upon request Of Sen. Conant of Waldo.
w. ]. Thompson, master of the state
Grange. appeared in behalf of the resolve
for Erskinc Academy, and Prin. ROBERT
Owen told the needs of the institution
He said there are IS pupils in attendance
and if the school is not given state ald II
could not exist and if the school closed
there would be only Grammar &chool
for the pupils Of that section. He sali
the pupils came from farms ana WIS es-
pecially interested in having the aGrlSui-
ture course put into the school.
George f. Paine. superintendent OF the
district said the town, teachers ana
! trustees were cooperating as never pc
fore to make this school one OF the pest
of its kind in Maine. He told what
had been done and said If the agriculture
| course is established it would fill long
felt need and practically every puph
would take the course.
Mrs. Owen, wife of the principal. spoke
enthusiastically Of what the pupils had
accomplished. how cheaply they got
along in the dormitory and of the good
feeling existing between the pupils
teachers and townsfolk. She was by far
the most enthusiastic person who has APP
peared before this committee since the
various hearings began
Sen. Chick appeared in behalf OF Mon
mouth Academy. which asked for 4lJt}
for repairs and remodelinG its main bullo-
ing.
] A. c. Thombs OF Lincoln appeared n
: behalf of the resolve for $500 to take the
place of the money lost through the
academy's being unable to keep up the
attendance required, because OF a IRE
to their building, and $500 to finish and
furnish the new building which had Just
been conn leted. Mir. Thombs said in 1876
State aid couldn't he aiven them because
there was a decrease of the average num-
her of stuG~ntS required by the State. but
that now there is a sufficient number ana
there would be for some years to come
He asked that the $500 asked for be giveA
: th., necessary to npiSn
the building which they had built at y
cost of $500 to take the place of the one
destroyed in July by FIRE. Only $1,000 IN
surance was realized after the fire and
there is no fire protection at Springfield
He said 1t was an absolute necessity to
finish and furnish this building and he
produced sworn statements Of the builder
showing the cost to erect and equip IT.
! He said the school didn't have a dol
/ lar of invested funds and work would
be curtailed if the money is not given.
! Prin. J. w. Hamlin spoke briefly and
said they had fallen short 11-15lsts OF
receiving State aid. They now have an
enrolment of 43. He told of the large
number of towns they served.
( Supt. of Schools Glenn w. Starkey
corroborated the statements and Supt.
of Schools of Auburn II. H. Randall
/ spoke in favor of the school having
taught there for a year.
I The act to establish a Normal school
] to be located at Dexter in Penobscot
county was laid on the table.
! Legal Affairs