Evening journal., 1921-05-17

years and pare down the budget ac-
cordingly. He commended the State
board for the assistance given the
committee and said II must be re-
membered that the State board in
submitting its budget was acting on
figures given to the board by the
county and special district boards
He said the committee in its work
took the 1919-1s2O school expendi-
lures as guide from which 10 start
The appropriations are made in the
budget he said. on the basis of the
1919-1e20 expenditures cutting out
a few frills and some luxuries"
Senator Alice said the committee
figured that probably high school pu-
pills could not be cared for At the
rate OF 500 a pupil. and therefore
provision was made for $4,000 for
the State Board TO look after that II
Il IL found necessary. He also said
another bulk appropriation OF S45O.-
900 is allowed. but Il Is specified that
the State Board can only spend II for
three things: teachers salaries. fuel
and text books. II Il IL needed. but
that money cannot be spent for fads
and fancies. In conclusion Senator
Alice said the committee had pre-
pared what Il considered a fair and
equitable budget, and II was up to
the Legislature to aorept or reject IT,
Senator Palmer then made the mo-
ton that the committee OF the whole
consider his bill and report Il out.
Senator Alice at first objected TO any
action by the committee on the
| Palmer bill at that time and asked
| Senator Palmer II he would be will
ing to have his bill reported on its
merits He replied that he would.
The budget bill was reported favor
ably without opposition but there
was a roll call on the motion to re-
! pert the Palmer bill on its merits. re-
sulting in Il being reported that way
by vote OF 10 TO Z. The vote fol-
lows:
To report the bill on its merits
Senators Highfeld, Hopkins. lnsley.
Latta. Mclntire. Palmer, Prettyman,
Richards. Short and President Pro-
Tenn Handy-1O.
Against reporting the bili--Sena-
tors Alice. Bennett. Lutz. Murphy,
Price. Robertson and walker.
The budget bill was then given It's
third reading and on motion OF SEN
ator Alec. Henry Rldgely was given
the privilege OF the floor. Mr.. Ridg-
ely said he appeared before the Sen
ate reluctantly and did so only
through a sense OF justice. He SAID
he felt the members Of the. Legisla-
ture realize the great importance OF
the school matters and their great
responsibilities. but doubted that the
people do. He made plea for an
item to provide for medical inspec-
ton In the schools on the ground
that Il would be OF great importance
TO many children. and also suggest ed
that local districts should be giver
mower to raise by taxation up to q
certain amount without the refer
endum. In conclusion, Mr.. Ridgell
said: pare as you please but allow
for medical inspection. Give thu
children chance to have who'll
strong bodies; don't hamper and
fetter them"
. Senator Alice in reply claimed tina
the budget does take care OF tn
/, children. He referred to appropria
/. lions made under other bills 10 tn
/, Mothers' Pension Commission an
, for Child Welfare work, "and nov
4 Won ask for another organization &
, operate separately" he said. Tn
question that the committee had u
-. consider. he said, was how mucl
, money we have and how to spend II
/, m his Is such a great thing VIII
didn't the coolers put 1t in the lsl
I and 1920 code"
senator Alice said the districts ar
@ not allowed to raise money up 70
$ certain amount without the reier
: endum because a great many Of tn
s school boards in the past had abus
.l Cd their powers He said when the
y u,ere given the dollar referendum
). many OF them fought it and nov
% that they were given the genera
e referendum they oppose IL. In con
Il clusion Senator Alice said; w
s have appropriated to the school
r under the various items that mea
10 real production as much money a
- the state can afford. Fundamental
o ly II will take care OF tho scho'
IL children OF Delaware. This is tn
g last I will have to say on scho'
" matters. This is my last speech /
the Senate. will not be back bu
have the satisfaction Of KNOWN
I have done my best"
. Senator Palmer, who opposed IN
a budget bill. said he believed Senate
= Alice has done everything that h
N could, as he sees It, for the schoo
a OF Delaware. The Milton Senate
n said he has never changed his pos
a ton on the school question. althoug
g. the law has been changed thre
o times in the past two years. an
" while he was no authority on scho
o laws he thought they have been q