Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-19
HOUSE INCREASES
SCHOOL TAX RATE
If Bill Becomes Law Seven
Mills Assessment
Likely Here
OCCUPATIONS LEVIED
Probe of Education Board
Here Included in Legisla.
tive Investigation

The Board Of Education was notified
today that the State House of Repre-
sentatives has passed finally the bills
authorizing flrst-class school districts to
advance the tax rate to eight mills. and
for an occupational tax Of 81 for school
purposes.
The present tax rate for Philadelphia
is five TO six mills. u IL expected the
Board Of Education will. IL the new bill
carries in the Senate make the tax seven
mills for the coming year. Most of the
members believe this would cover the
needs OF the school system for the
present. They wished the maximum
placed at eight mills in order to have
,rss,Hway for future growth and needs.
This will be used in school maintenance.
The occupational tax OF 81. which will
reach persons who do not pay real estate
"a xes, has been IN effect In smaller school
districts of the state. but has never been
used before in first-class cities. Just
how much additional revenue II will
bring Into local schools has not been
estimated
The two bills apply only to Phila-
delphia and Pittsburgh. They do not
necessarily mean that teachers pay will
be increased. as this revenue Is for the
upkeep of the schools and the expense
of equipment.
The bill allows the Board of Educa-
tion an increased annual revenue of ap-
proximately s3,500000. OF this sum the
board Ia expected TO use only about
s,soO.000, representing n seven-mill tax.
The money II the bill shall become
law. will not be available until 1920.
Investigation of the Board OF Educa-
tion In this city will be included in the
nrnnnand tnx. taat h,. he eli
ture Of the school system os the state.
Every phase of the school situation will
be considered. IL the idea is enforced,
and measures will be drawn up to meet
any defects uncovered.
Investigation Expected
This investigation has been expected
for some time. Joseph w. Catherine.
member OF the Board of Education, said
that year ago he anticipated some
such condition of affairs.
at is n good idea, which has been
suggested by William T. Ramsey. of
Delaware County. for the appointment
OF a legislative committee" he declared.
''The state ought to take greater in
terest in educational matters than here
tofore in a supervisory way.
But the survey I proposed a year
ago should have been made. and today
Philadelphia should be in n position to
say. There Is no need of an investiga-
tion. gentlemen. here is the whole situa-
tion.
'I am not surprised by Mr. Ramseys
announcement. as the survey the board
decided to make has not been made. but
pigeon-holed for a whole year. have
expected something Of this kind. real
lied year ago that we were going to
be met with the very situation which
now confronts u.s.
A survey Of the public school system
in Philadelphia was long ago demanded
by the Bureau of Municipal Research
and body of citizens organizations.
Finally a resolution was moved at a
meeting of the Board of Education by
Mr.. Catherine that a. survey be made
and passed with only one dissenting
vote.
Mr. Catherine. my purpose was to see
what changes or improvements should
be made in our school system and to
find out if we were carrying on any ac-
tivities which might be eliminated and
thereby save money. AS far as Philadel-
phia is concerned. the Legislature says.
We allow you now to raise sl1. 900, 900
what are you doing with it?' In order
to justify the suggestion to raise the
tax by one-third we ought to be in a
position TO say what we have been doing
and why it is that we require more
money"
Il hope the Legislature will find some
means of providing more for the teach
ers. The local board cannot do it."