The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-21

plorable condition we are today? The
survey commission further brings out
the fact that as a city we are giving
a greater apportionment of the city's
revenue to the fire and police depart
ment In comparison with these other
li9 leading cities. And friends, II we
would give more to education we would
not need so much for police.
In giving YOU these facts | want you
to bear in mind that in order to get
what is coming t0tfe schools we must
put men IN office who are wholeheart-
edly interested in the schools, and that
Is why urge you women to vote and
seriously consider this question.
I'm the past our school system has
been seriously handicapped by the lack
Of municipal support; | presume they
thought we We're a lot Of women and
children and it made no difference, but
times have changed.
The members OF the Parent Teacher
associations can do more good for their
city by putting men in office who will
cooperate In a big, broad school policy
than IN any other one way.
W exist, as an organization, for
our boys and girls and when we work
for them and for better schools we are
working for the betterment of Memphis.
Many people are not familiar with
the fact that the school board Is bound
by an ironclad charter that is over so
years old and that In many ways II Is
a serious handicap. The survey COM
mission recommended quite a number
OF charter changes, which will be for
the good Of the system.
They recommend a board OF seven
members TO rotate. which will give us
a continuity Of policy, which we cannot
have with five members all going in
new, and all going out, every four years.
and. hve more going In, new to the
work. Also that they serve for a term
Of six years
THE recommendation is made that
the law be changed so the new board
will not be elected IA months before the
old term expires, thus making an incon-
venient overlapping.
Now, all these charter changes and
the securing Of more school funds must
come through legislative enactment and
unless we get q city commission which
Is In full sympathy and accord with the
schools we cannot hope for better con-
ditions,
$50 bear in mind when you cast your
vote, that the future of our schools Is
In the hands Of the city commission,
who instruct the legislative delegation
The present board of education has
secured the largest school tax we have
ever had, Getting 1t raised to so cents
and. making 1t mandatory. Fifty cents
10 the statutory unit ana we cannot Sc
cure another cent, no matter what the
general tax, without legislation, and We
cannot secure legislation unless we get
men In office who want us to have
| these things,
There are many other most inter-
esting recommendations In the survey
which will not take the time to give
| you now.
They recommend a minimum salary
for teachers Of 81 900, with an automatic
increase UP to a maximum OF 81, 900,
n n tenure OF office.
but they also recommend a very high
standard and the elimination OF the aid
| system.
"They cover salaries of ~ianitors and
other employees, COURSES OF study, stand
ards of grading, promotion and many
other phases o. cur school life,
'Of course II win take time and pa
thence to develop this plan, as IT covers
a big educational program OF about eight
years and this board of education Is
only hlazing the trail for future boards
TO build on,
III we can secure men in office who
viii help the mothers in this great task
of educating and training the youth OF
our city, we viii see one OF the most
modern, progressive school systems In