The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-27
VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN
FOR SCHOOL BONDS
TO Be |NAUGURATED
Building Destroyed by Fire
to Be Replaced, Is Plan of
Committees in Charge
of Bond Issue

At conference of leading educa-
tors of the city held yesterday after
noon plans for a vigorous campaign in
behalf Of the 100000 high school
bond issue and the 3-mll school tax
were outlined and from now on every
day will be a busy day with those
advocating these propositions.
Owing to the fact that the Eigl.
school auditorium went up in smoke
along with the rest of the building
when the torch was applied 10 the
Central High school some weeks ago.
the meeting yesterday afternoon was
held in the Sunday school room of the
First Presbyterian church, represent
tatives being present from every part
of Greater Birmingham The meeting
was called to order by Superintendent
j. III. Phillips, who spoke briefly of
the vital Importance of the high school
bond issue and the 3-mill tax. He
then called upon Commissioner J. r.
Hornady, who explained the PROPOSE
ton fully, answering all questions
that had arisen concerning the PRO-
posed tax levy.
SINKING FUND TAX
Mr. Hornady said that all opposi-
ton to the measures proposed by the
school authorities would disappear
once the facts are fully understood.
"One misapprehension in the public
mind has to do with the tight of the
city commission to change the sink
ing fund tax" he said. This right is
clear" the speaker continued. THE
constitution gives the commissioners
the right to levy as much as mills.
restricting the levy of any amount
less than mills but permitting the
levy of any amount less than five
mills that may prove sufficient for
the purpose. The conditions surround
ing the sinking fund are such now
that mills provide ample revenue.
and the commissioners have acted
wisely and properly in reducing the
levy to mills. thus offsetting the
mills asked for school purposes
The theory is also advanced in few
instances that the tax for sinking fund
purposes, though reduced to mills by
the present commission, some future
board might put 1t back to mills. This
is a preposterous suggestion. In the
first place. no man could be elected to
the office of comm ssoner who would
propose such thing, and, in the second
place, 1t could not be done under the
law. 1t is a we'll established principle
of law that a special tax, levied for
special purpose. can only be levied for
an amount sufficient to carry out that
purpose. Now that 2 mills provide enough
for sinking fund purposes, the tax can
never be put back to the old figure. In
fact the tax may easily be reduced
to / mill in four or five years. So there
is no ground for apprehension upon this
score.
TEN MILLS IN TAXES
s"As the matter stands Birmingham citi-
zens have been paying 10 mills in taxes
8 mills for general purposes and s mills
for the sinking fund. After the election
of May 6 the people will continue to
pay 10 mills. but the division will be
changed-5 mills for general purposes, 3
mills for schools and 2 mills for the
sinking fund. With these facts fully
understood there should not be single
negative vote cast on either the 3-mill
tax proposition or tn proposal to is
sue high school bonds."
Brief addresses we're then made by
Prof. c. B. GlNlr, and Dr. Charles A.
Brown. after which a committee was APP
pointed to arr;.nge for large number
of meetings to be held during the COM
ing week F.om 10 to 20 meetings will be
held, every part Of the city to be reached
IN this way. and in the meantime many
persona, workers will be busy 1t is be
lieved that = very large affirmative vote
Will be piled up as a result of these
activities.