The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-01-17

aye OnCJ
Yonge favored the bond issue instead
of the school district tax.
Will Get 1t.
81 believe the people of Pensacola
want the district, and will get it." the
speaker continued. He then said that
there are about $50 special school tax
districts in Florida, and twelve in
Escambia county, but none in Pensa
cola. ''This sounds seriously like an
indictment of Pensacola, and ! would
say that we do not quash the indict-
ment, but bring it to trial and put it
before the people, and this jury will
bring in verdict of not guilty."
Bert Coleman Speaks.
Declaring that the creation of the
special tax district was the only way
out of the difficulty, Bert Coleman
touched on some of the arguments
that have been urged against the
proposition and showed now utterly
without foundation they are. The
schools are not adequate for the
needs here, he declared, adding that
"Florida stands today among the
most illiterate of the states" While
the percentage of illiteracy in the en-
tire United States averages III per
cent, that of Florida averages 1873
per cent, and that of the Pacific
states, ''the most efficient and up-to-
date of ALL" only per cent. Florida,
too, has spent 100000 less on
school buildings than any other south
Atlantic state, and as Pensacola is
behind the country districts, its posi-
, ton is very low indeed. eve have
; slept long enough" Mr.. Coleman de-
, clared. 1T is now time for us to
awake"
r. Pope Reese Speaks.
R. Pope Reese, reporting the prog
, ress of the petitions, said that up
i wards of 200 signatures had already
been secured. About ESQ were need
ed, as there are some 1000 taxpay-
) ers, and it is only the taxpayers
3 who are privileged to vote. Attempt
e will be made, however, to secure SOC
' signatures at the least-if not more
Y in other words, to win the election be-
D fore it goes to the polls.
: Big Taxpayers Sign.
''The best men and the biggest
taxpayers in town have signed the
petitions" declared Mr.. Reese. 'It
is not the taxpayers who are raising
} | the objections"
Wishes Ladies Could Vote.
{ He then asked volunteers to com,
: municate with him and he would Civ,
them petitions to circulate. 81 an
f sorry the ladies can't sign the peti
: tions," he declared, "and / am sorr,
e they aren't voters, so they could,
e (applause), "but we can at least asl
r them to circulate the petitions.
It c. ]. Levey Speaks.
Called on for volunteer address
r C. J. Levey, of the school board
$ said:
o 81 firmly believe we are going t
:. vote the special tax district. 1t is tn
# only way to get the school. Tn
n three-mill yearly tax, which woul
le raise only $4,000 year, is not sui
E. ficient. After the district is created
" we must issue bonds for a buildin
;e that will be adequate to our needs TO
at least fifteen years. I believe W
Is should spend at least 100000 flo
" such a building, and that we shout
{. vote bonds for 100000 more, whic
n would take care of the needs of tn
city for a number of years. A mi
IF or a mill and half can be assesse
is to provide a sinking fund to retir
N these bonds"
If Alumni Association Working.
Prof. Tyler read the following lei
a. ter from the Pensacola High Schot
N Alumni Association, promising il
" adhesion to the movement:
Dc Mrs. Dave Kugleman, President {
the High School Parent-Teacher
st Association:
is MY Dear Mrs. Kugleman:
Y. | have been instructed to motif
lg you that at meeting of the Penss
la cola High School Alumni Associs
ton on January 10, The members {