Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-11-23
. ATTEND
TAXPAYER
MEETING.
Salem Residents Show
Lack of Interest In
School Budget Which
Is Adopted by Board


The Salem school board-thos'
five individuals who work withou
remuneration for the advancement
of education in Salem-who NEE
each two weeks to dispose of thu
business which has piled higt
through their daily activities, who
pinch and slash and barter in al
effort to keep within their allow
ance, who are criticized by some
and ignored by others of those fol
whom they work-the Salem
school board was present at tne
Salem taxpayers meeting in the
high school last night.
Which almost tells the story OF
the taxpayers meeting. Besides
the school directors, six persons
attended the session. Three of
these were taxpayers, one was a
salesman and the other two were
newspaper reporters.
Taxpayers Indifferent.
Members of the school board
glanced at each other significant
ly. Their plea for an increase in
the budget had been rejected by
the voters short few months ago.
The people had spoken through
the ballot boxes. At last nights
meeting, advertised extensively
through the newspapers, was an
opportunity to explain their work,
their needs, their difficulties.
Here was the chance to ask and
answer questions. And there were
three taxpayers present.
After a speech, delivered by
Walter G. Winslow, to the three
persons sufficiently interested to
appear at the high school, the tax
payers voted to adopt the $112,00O
budget for 1921 and 1922. The
meeting adjourned and the school
board went in session. Subse-
quently 1t also adopted the budget.
Man Is Impressed.
Following explanations by mem
bers OF the board to questions put
by S. p. McCracken, one OF the
taxpayers, Mr.. McCracken rose to
his feet.
This has been "a education to
me, he said. II have learned
much this evening. 1t was well
worth my time to come"
II want to say frankly to you
taxpayers that your school system
has been crippled Director Wins
low said In the opening address
We've cut down IN every depart
ment where 1t has been at all pos
sible. AT present we're running
our schools we're spending at least
$4,000 less than we ought really
To spend.
Eugene PAYS More.
"Salem people" he continued,
would not wish Eugene to have a
better better school system than
theirs. Yet, to give an example,
Eugene at present pays a salary
schedule for teachers which would
permit 1t to come right into our
schools and take away our instruc-
tors. Those good teachers who are
staying with us are here because
The like Salem--not because they
are being paid what they should.
And many of our teachers could
yet more money in towns the size
IL Gervais."
Speaking of the crowded condi-
ions in the schools. Mr.. Winslow
,ointed out that the Salem high
Ichool is at present jam packed
With students.
Fall Problem Looms.
e"0f these he explained, about )
so win be graduated in June.
resent indications are that there
vail ben o less than 400 incoming
reshmen next fall. What are we
ieing to do?" J
iother schools, he added, are also c
rowded. I'm not mentioning )
his because we expect any inn
lediate answer to the question. 0
IN just giving you something to I
hink about" Mr.. Winslow said n
Before long some disposition n
lust be made of our housing prob II