Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-07-30
The University of Georgia

" VERY Georgian, and particularly every
member of the Legislature, should
ponder certain humiliating figures
presented elsewhere on this page, and then
ask what ought to be done for the State Uni
yersity, in justice TO the people and their
higher educational interests?
OF all the States supporting universities
North, South, East, West-Georgia provides
least for this immensely important work.
Illinois University received in 1918-1919 the
sum of two million three hundred anu six
thousand nine hundred dollars, all OF which,
save two hundred and fifty thousand for build
ings, went to maintenance. In the same period,
the University of Georgia, with shining tradi-
tons and grlevOus needs, received the relative
pittance of one hundred Ind eighty-five thou
sand dollars, including funds for the Col
lege of Agriculture. If it be answered that
Illinois is Weather than Georgia, what can
be said of the fact that Oklahoma gave eight
times as much Kentucky and Virginia twice
as much, each of the Carolinas more than
twice as much, Florida more than twice as
much las the Empire State of the South;
while Tennessee, Louisiana and Alabama far
exceeded her? None of these is richer than
Georgia, not one is so resourceful. They
are sall beset with problems like unto ours,
and weighted with like burdens. But they
do not stint their universities to the verge
Of starvation, nor to, their young men seek
ing bread of knowledge, give a stone.
In the Notwithstanding article whose fig
ures we have quoted, Professor Brooks points
out that while the appropriation of the Uni
versity Of Georgia was raised to two hundred
and tW entyseven thousand five hundred dol
lars in 1920-21, othe rsouthern states have in
creased their university allotments in far
greater proportion, so that the relative show
ing has become more than ever discreditable
to this Commonwealth. Touching the i'm
mense excess of Western university funds
over ours Professor Brooks observes that,
although the available wealth of those States
may be in some measure superior to ours,
that is not the chief cause of the difference.
There are two other very important con-
5iderations. One of them is that the public
mind is more favorably disposed to higher
education, and the other is that these States
nave long ago discarded ancient, wornout
taxation systems. and the public revenue re-
ceived as a result of modern forms Of taxa
ton enable the Legislature to make the ap-
propriations."
This latter suggestion strikes deep into
problems of school finance. Not until the
taxation is supplanted by one economically
sound and socially just will it be possible to
serve the University or any other state insti-
tuition Alright, notwithstanding Georgia's en-
pire of treasure and opportunity In the midst
Of riches she stands impoverished, in a land
of plenty she starves, all for want of efficient
methods OF turning tax resources to account.
This is the prime the inclusive problem before
the General Assembly today, and if this be
solved, the way will open to just and gener-
Gus dealing for those high INTEREST," that now
suffer. Meanwhile, however, the university's
needs should be met as freely as fiscal condi-
tions will allow. Critical needs they are,
which can not be ignored without grave in
jury to the commonwealth.