Milford chronicle., 1919-07-11
PART II.
State Conditions

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PART II.
State Conditions
DEMONSTRATION is the catchword OF
the hour. In its immediate application
it means the readjustment of the life
of the country from a military to a
civilian basis.
But after afwar, fought for an ideal
with all the resources of the people
the readjustment cannot be on the
same plane of civil life which existed
before the war. That is why Recon
structiOn is a slogan. 1t represents
an awakened spirit, a higher and at
the same time more practical inter-
pretation of democracy, and therefore
a keener insight into the defects and
shortcomings revealed by the war.
Reconstruction is not a new idea
in Delaware The war merely empha-
sized an dmade popular the ideas en-
bodied in this slogan of the day. For
years, citizens and organizations of
civic-b bent, have urged the same poll
cies and activities, but owing to lack
of finance, probably, more than any
thing else, sufficient publicity was
never given to make them a public
demand
"The war presented no serious prob
lens to Delaware other than those
heretofore neglected. The effect of the
war, and of the greater and broader
activities of men and women with in
telligence and power, has been clar-
flying of the issues before us as citi-
zens of State and community, and a
unifying of points of view. This will
be our greatest impetus in analyzing
our present resources and OppOrtun-
tiles for State development, and in or
ganizing and promoting sound poll
cies and programs for both public and
private effort in that direction.
so Reconstruction in Delaware is
not merely an after-war problem. 1t
is a peace problem. too long delayed,
and brought to public attention now
through interest in all State questions
by men, active and in many cases en-
gagged for the first time in public
affairs.
State Policy in Delaware
"A State policy, in anticipation of
a national movement, might be said to
have started officially at the General
Assembly two years ago. The stu
alton was ripe at the time for the sue
cess of the program recommended to
our legislators; one of development
along definite business lines. With
out regard to sectional interest or
political party credit, reconstruction
made its appearance then by:
Finance
"The provisions for taxation, stand
ardizatioa in taxation on real value
instead of rental value; increase of
auto tax for road purposes; income
and inheritance tax for educational
and road purposes.
Roads
"The creation of a highway depart
ment, resulting in our Statewide pro-
gram for State roads.
Education
Establishment of minimum salary
for teachers, expenses provided for
at summer schools, survey
Of Etate Education.
"A consideration of these provisions
shows that the 1917 session of the
legislature marked definitely the be-
ginning of State development. OF
special not and interest is the fact
that the work was accomplished by
The active interest of all phases of
political thought; of good omen, too,
that all parties jealously claimed the
credit.
"In the carrying out of the work
made possible by this kind of support, /
/ great measure of success has been /
attained and much accomplished in /
Ipite of the war. Aside from slight re-
Vision of the Income Tax Law, the
'ecent General Assembly approved the
lcts and attending consequences of the 1
previous session. The 1919 session /
maintained and advanced the spirit
md the record. But these laws are
lut the formal recognition of the work .
md thought which preceded them, and .
he significance of the advance in pub
ic responsibility since the beginning
If 1917 is this: that it has had it's
'oots in the will and inclination of
substantial number of the people
It large without regard to any sec
ional or partisan lines.
During the two years of the war,
onditions unfavorable to the well-be-
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to the nation were made
ivid.
Child Welfare
Especially prominent was Health
administration. The serious need of
and advanced legislation
n this work was brought out by the
voman's Committee in its Child We'll
are Division. The results of their
7ork cannot be overestimated, and
he facts obtained by their investiga-
ion and experience started us into
ction.
Health
"The health committee of the Coun-
il of Defense undertook program to
emove from Delaware the stigma
hieh was being attached to it by
ederal departments. A survey Of
ealth administration and facilities
lade imperative definite and immed-
tie action.
Survey