The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-03-01
DR. BARRETTS STATEMENT

DR. BARRETToS STATEMENT "The city commission of Birmingham and the board of education have, for sometime, had under serious considera- ton the distressful condition of the city's fianances and of the public schools The recent calamity, in the destruc- ton of the high school. has brought about a condition where solu- ton can no longer be delayed The re- cent decision of the supreme court in the Mcdonald case has placed the city in a condition where, unless constitutional relief is granted-a slow and tedious the city vii be put on a tax rate of 5 mills
 Out of this 5-mill rate will have to be paid not only the general expenses of the city, which are large and which are increasing, but out of this same rate must be paid the interest upon over so.- OoO,O 900 of bonds issued by the vote of
 the people since 1901.
 "We repeat solution of these prob lens can no longer be delayed unless we are to default upon our most impera-
  duty to education but our obligations of honor which we owe to our creditors. A default, either in the payment of in terest on bonds or in our obligation to the school children of Birmingham. would be a blow to the cits prestige and future growth, and of incalculable harm to every interest. We must frankly face the condition. It cannot be ooscured or delayed.
 ONE COURSE AVAILABLE After giving full consideration to ev cry suggested plan of relief, but one course adequate to the situation is avail able: levy of a district tax of 3 mills for school purposes, the only re- tmaining source of additional income, would put our schools in position where they would be independent of aid from the city treasury, and would enable Us to pay the interest upon school honds' imperatively needed in the present emergency For this reason, as soon as the necessary petitions can be drawn and preliminary arrangements made, we shali ask the people to vote the dis'rict school tax of 8 mills, every cent of which, raised in Birmingham, will be ex- pended in Birmingham for Birmingham children. Not 1 cent will go elsewhere l not even in the form of commissions 10 the officers whose duty It IS to levy and collect the tax.
 nAt inc same time we shall ask the neopla of Birmingham for authority 10 issue bonds for high school purposes az eregating S1 OOO000 sum not more tndn sufficient for the actual present needs of Rirmingham Of this sum, $250, uoO, or such part as may be necessary VIII pc expended in the erection or nisn school in the eastern section Of the clty to Accommodate that large and growing nonulation who are particularly remote from the present high school. The re- mainder will be devoted to one central Ihigh school of a size suniclent eo ae commodate 250O children.
 GRAMMAR SCHOOL SITUATION .Tt will be impossible for us to per. marantlv settle the grammar scnooi situation now. The bond issue or $z'- 00O 0OO for school purposes, voted Ie- cently. bore an interest rate oI 112 ner cent and 1t is quite impossible 70 sell those bonds at that rate at the present time. Bonds even or the gov ernment of the United States are now commanding price which will yleid I tained the city commission and the beard of education will be in con dition where they can make tempo rary additions to present grammar school facilities that will take care of our immediate necessities. We nave purchased attractive sites for most of the needed grammar schools. and when better market conditions will permit the. sale of the former issue of school bonds we pledge the people a permanent solution of those dint- | culties will be found and all schools now planned will be built.
 The city commission and the board of education, recognizing their duty to | the public. regret that it is neces- sary to ask the people for this ad- ditional tax of mills. We would
 avoid it if we could. hut our para mount duty to the youth of Birming- han. as well as to the credit and we'll being of its other interests makes 1t | necessary"
 RESOLUTION ADOPTED
 The formal resolution adopted by the two boards in Joint session yes- terday was as follows:
 ~Fa if resolved by the commission of the city of Birmingham and the beard of education in joint meeting as sembled, That the city attorney be and l he Is hereby instructed to prepare l the necessary ordinances for calling elections to submit to the people the question of whether. or not they will vote a 3mill tax for public school purposes.
 \ "z whether or not they will au- thcrize the Issuance of $1,oO0,000 oi
 boEds for rebuilding and equippinf the Central High school recently de-
 strcyed by fire. together with neces-
 (Centa.uea - Faws EasAQ