Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-26

Maine is due to realize a large sum
from the federal government for ed
Icational purposes, if the Educational
bill, known as S. 1887. introduced on
Oct. 10, 1918 by Senator Hoke Smith
ditions on our part are met. The bill
provides for the appropriation annu-
ally of $lOO,0OO,0OO, provided that
sums in equal amounts be raised By
the states taking advantage of the
provisions.
For removal of illiteracy, $7,5OO,OOO
Americanization of foreigners, $500
600; equalization of educational OPP
portunities, particularly in rural and
village schools, $50.000,000: promotion
of physical and health education and
recreation, $2O,000,000; to extend AMI
improve facilities for preparation Of
teachers for public schools. and par
ticularly rural schools, $l5,0oo,0oOi
creation of an executive department.
known as the Department of Educ2 !
ton. with a secretary in the Presi-
dents cabinet. .u
Maine will share in all the objects
of this bill. as will be shown by the
following statistics and statements:
Maine had in 1910, 9917 such ILL
terates. The Congressional allotment
would be $19,744.50 annually. This
would have to be equalled by the
state and there would then be avail
able s39,4S9, each year, or almost 81
for each ilhterate. A 10-year plan
would give each $40. 1t would elim:-
nate illiteracy from the State.
Maine has 1862 immigrants ac-
cording to the 1910 census. The Con-
gressional allotment would amount to
1,361.91. The amount available Tor
Americanization work in Maine an
nually would be $126,7
Maine has 1865 teachers and would
receive from Congress $559,56s.lo.
An equal amount by the State for
these purposes would make available
$1,119, 1880.
Names population in 1910 was
742,371. She '.,ould therefore receive
from Congress for physical and health
education $161.465.69 annually. An
equal amount from the State would
make available $322.931.SS.
Maine had 1865 public school
teachers in 1915-16. She would re-
ceive s167,S565o for the purposes
named. Doubling this would make
available q minimum of $333.713 for
teacher preparation in her tax-sup-
ported Normal schools and colleges.
The bill also provides for the desig-
nation or creation by the Legislature
of the machinery necessary for the
cooperate administration Of the bills
provisions and sets up certain neces-
sary safeguards such as systems CT
accounting and auditing. A summary
of the appropriations provided in the
bill TO-. Maine shows:
For removal of illiteracy. Sig, 114.5o
Americanization of foreigners, 81 1861 81
EquaiiZing educational
opportunities, oSs 'ooe. y
Physical and health education, 16l, 465 81
Better and more teacher
preparation, lo''soo.'o
Total s%o,O26.7 70
This money is not to be thrust upon
Maine or any other State. Certain
conditions and requirements must be
met by the State in order to benefit
thereby. should the bill become a law.
But, Maine is very fortunately so sit
uated that the amount Of special leg
islation to meet those conditions will
be small. For instance:
The allotment for the removal Of
illiteracy may be met out Of our or
binary common school fund.
That for the Americanizaticn OF
immigrants can be met with the funds
now used for common and evening
schools. 1t would mean an increase
in the appropriation for evening
schools, for the State already pays
two thirds of such expense.
That for the ecualizing OF educa-
tional opportunities can all be met
out of the common school fund. the
school and mill fund, the equalization
fund and the fund for unorganized
townships.
Maine has no fund or appropriation
for physical and health education and
it would be necessary for the State
to appropriate, in order to encourage
tn, towns to take hold of this propo-
sition.
Better and more teacher prepara-
ton could be taken care of by the
Normal schools maintenance appro-
priation to the extent Of 100000.