The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-08-12

THE announcement made by John " Conway, state school super
ntendent, thai, he intends to stand for and publicly advocate
? what he considers 10 be best for the welfare Of the public schools
nvardless Of criticism from those who oppose his views, is the kind
OF courageous stand that is not only commendable in itself but that
the limitation upon school taxes imposed in constitutional amend
ment No. I, a menace TO continued efficiency in public school work
in this STATE. The did anything else than openly and vigorously op
pose that amendment while holding such abelef, he would be fail
ing IN his duty as administrators Of the public school system.
H. ]. Haeerman. president Of the New Mexico Taxpayers asso-
citation, has said that he is sure Mr., Conway is not voing' the senti-
sure that he is yoicing exactly that sentiment, but be proposes TO
End out for sure. by calling on the school workers everywhere to say
where they stand. They should not hesitate 70 respond.
Whether or not Mr. Hagcrman, as president Of the taxpayers
association, is the spokesman Of large corporate interests who would
limit taxes for selfish interests, regardless OF results TO the schools
az Mr.. Conway charges, WI are not now prepared to say. N
II is quite certain, however, that Mi. Hagerman is one Of those
PERSONS who first forms conclusions as TO what he personally wants
Ia public affairs Having reached this conclusion in a splendid $50
iation that. Is quite removed from disturbing contact with the views
III Others, he Immediately concludes that what he personally wants
is what the people want and he promptly proceeds to proclaim his
conclusion q an imperative need Of the people. That is at least one
Of the reasons why Mr.. Hagerman 50 often finds, apparently TO his
surprise and chagrin, that the people have failed 10 agree with him.
Whether. in the matter Of the school tax levy limitation, Mr.. Ha-
german is the spokesman Of large corporate interests, as Mr. Conway
seems to think, or whether he is merely speaking one Of his home
brewed conclusions as 70 what the people ought to want, IT is GER
tain that at least. some OK the corporations agree with him.
II Seems fairly certain, also, that Mr. Hagerman is about as con-
versant with the real needs Of the school children of New Mexico as
he is with the population of the planet Mars, and that his contacts
are about as close. Conway, on the other hand, knows every school
house in the state and is personally familiar with the needs of the
population surrounding il. He seems to be by far the safer guide as
to what the state needs in school finances Conway says amendment
No. I, if approved, will seriously rripple the public schools. The ed
ueauonal auditor, after a thorough survey Of the whole state, agrees
with him Every practical school administrator we have talked with
holds the same view.
An inquiry into the situation in Bernalllo county makes it quite
plain that II this proposed levy limitation should go into the consti
tuition some of our rural schools would have to go on a seven or five
months basis, instead Of nine: and that in the effort 10 keep then
going seven or five months enough revenue would be taken away
from the already underlinaneed schools of Albuquerque to seriousl!
tons. The Herald is against amendment No 3 1t should be de
feated.