Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-25
Letters riunt give tbc Hnmc nnd nd
dress of the writer. Name Will not be ,
published II writer NO rcqucsta.
For the Co-OrdInntc college.

For tho Coordinate College.
To tho Editor OF The Times Dispatch
Sir.--In your paper and in other pub
Tic prints appear communications from
tive Richmond ladies. constituting the
central committee OF the Association of
Women Opposed {" the Co-Ordinatc
college. These Richnond ladies' tell
us that they speak for "a large orGani-
cation OF Virginia womcn"--how large
thry do not state: whether all it's ,ncin-
bcrs live in Richmond. like its central
committee they do not state. But 80
much We do know: that tho question
OF educating women at tho university
had been vital question in the LcEiS-
iaturc OF Virginia seven years before
this organization came into being. in
January. 1917. ON the other hand. the
Co-ordinatc College League. with
tributcd over the ten congress ional
districts OF Virginia and activ"
membership of 1000 men ana women
from practically every county and city
in tho state. has carried on its work
publicly since 1910. the year in which
the first coordinate college bill WAS
Introduced in the Virginia Legislature.
The large majority of It's members have
been and continue 10 be sincere and
tirclcSs workers for the common
schools In most cases their advocacy
OF the admission OF women To tho uni
NerSiE Is born of their work for thr
common schools. They look AT "A big
problem In "a big way. and realize that
public education is Il unit to be built
up and financed as a unit The good
ladies OF the Association Opposed to
s s"ven, G-S Trnr nGleEe are n"I
OF the common school. Yet ii is they
and their friends among tho ,lurnni Of
the university who spar "a little for the
common schools for some two months
every other year, who have discovered
the panacca for any and all common
school ills: namely. less funds from the
state for higher education: more funds
from the State for common schools
Those who have fully studied the
financial situation with regard to the
common schools for many years past
and fight their battles twelve months
in every year. know that an adequate
system OF public schools in Virginia
Viii require not one. but three. things:
!. More funds from the state
,. Tho maximum local levy for
schools.
3. a fair assessment OF local property
TO produce more local funds.
DO these ladies and gentlemen realize
tina; In advocating an indefinite In
schools they are advocating a Kind Of
socialism? The assumption Of so large
share OF responsibility for schools by
the State instead Of by the state and
locality equally Is alien TO our cstab-
lished theory OF government. Virginia
IL already contributing TO her common
schools more than the avcrag" per
centum In State funds for the United
States: tina; is. average proportion OF
funds IN United states is: State. 25.i2
per cont: local. 80 per cent. Average
81 per cent: local. 6? per cent. OF
course. tho state must do her part To
mako her schools. rural aud urban. tho
very best. Eut the localities must do
their part also. Rura! communities In
Virginia are not taxing themselves
adequately for school purposes. Only
scvcnty-hVc counties We're up 10 the
maximum local levy 60 centsD accord
!Ng 20 tho last report of tho Superin-
tcndeut Of Public Instruction. and
many counties whose levy s up 20
he. ma \ ~ no.
scsSed low that even tn" maximum
can never Weld them adcIuat" school
revenues. The ladies and gentlemen
opposed 10 the uuivcrSity'S serving all
the people admitted the iuadeuuacy -.
their panacca when they cited AT the
public hearing tho recent strides made
by Wise County toward an :,dcquat.
school term and ad.uuatciv paid
teachers. made possible by Increased
local revenues for schools. Wise says
Increase local revenues. II you wan,