The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-20
SCHOOLS RECEIVE . PROPER ATTENTION
 BY BUSINESS MEN
Tuscaloosa Commerce Clan Holds Enthusiastic Session. Cyclone Relief Discussed.
 Chamber Is Growing


 With standing room at premium the Chamber of commerce last night held another record breaking meeting. Sc much interest was manifested in the school problems that it was necessary to postpone consideration Of all other subjects on the programme.
 Mrs. Battle Searcy, member of the school board, and representing the Federated School Improvement asso- citation, outlined the problem confront ing the schools of Tuscaloosa with reference to employment of first grade teachers.
 "The fund available for our city schools stated Mrs. Searcy, Ifs SIS, 500. The minimum salary in the elementary schools is $56.00 and the maximum, $90.00 We cannot employ first grade teachers at these salaries minimum of s1OO.OO is required to finance our schools if the results de- sired are to be obtained. The Feder- ation School Improvement association asks the cooperation of the chamber of commerce in providing ways and means to obtain $12,500 SO as to en- able the employment of only first grade teachers.
 NEBRASKA CITED
 pr. James Thomas of the University in his short address on the subject stated that education is expensive and that it was impossible to obtain trained education unless we were will ing, to pay for their training and experience.
 There are 65 cities in Nebraska that pay a tax of 125 mills for school pur- poses, stated Dr. Thomas, land pay rxrfl <rIx rt- .,, tax for this purpose. Tuscaloosa is supposed to lead in education. Listen, we expect to employ experienced teachers at $65.o0 per month. how can we do it, when little Gordo is offering S125.00 per month for two teachers, Decatur $150.00 per month for three, Union Springs $1,200 per year, etc. l received in today's mail letters asking for IS teachers at salaries ranging from $1e0.00 to $150.00 per month, in- stead of leading, we are following" l. pr. IL. o. Dawson, who has given considerable thought and study on the subject of school system, expressed a great truth when he stated that We must realize that our school system is the. work of our citizens and the only reason why we have not an ideal, efficient. modern system is because we have not wanted it. We have the ability and can build the system when we are willing to pay for it."
 MORE FIGURES
 In general discussion MT. Werner in- formed the chamber that the city commission was at present facing a deficit of $14,000, and emphasized the fact that the only way to increase our revenue was to increase our taxation. Tuscaloosa pays only 8 per $1,000 taxes while all other cities in Ala bama pay $500.
 On motion submitted by Mfr. Clark son the chair appointed E. L. Clark son, Dr. Jas. s. Thomas and R. H. Cochrane to wait on the city commits sion to ask that the credit of the city be used to borrow $12,500 to re- iieve the temporary situation. and that this committee study plans whereby the present condition can be permanently remedied.
 STORM RELIEF
 F. G. Blair, in a short address. re- ported the relief work accomplish ed by the local Red Cross at Ralph. The chapter, as stated by MT. Blair. has fully met the situation. Luther Davis, who represented the chapter was on the ground a few hours after the news arrived in Tuscaloosa, and in a manner characteristic only to MT, Davis, every need was given the suf- rerers.
 That chapter" stated MT. Blair, has received truck loads of clothing and supplies donated by the good people of Tuscaloosa for the immedi- ate relief of the unfortunate.''
 On a motion of Victor Friedman, tho chamber appointed maximum sum of $50 to be used for whatever purpose the chapter desired, should this amount be needed
 ROSTER GROWING
 Victor Friedman whose interest in the development of Tuscaloosa is as great a factor in his life as/his per- sonal business, introduced the follow ing members:
 A. Wallace Struthers, Continental Auto Insurance; Stewart Bird. man ager of Belvedere; J. Wesley Read. Hilbish Sporting Goods; J. W. Lips- comb, National Life and Accident Ins.; Jack Herman, Central Iron S. Coal Company; A. c. Duggar, Vocation student U. of A.; J. w. Vassa. book keeper First National bank: w r.. Helm, Ross Bros. Gs Co.,; R. l.. Little: C. l.. Buchman, lumber business: S. B. Day, manager Warrior hotel; A. D. Lancaster, agent Gulf Refining Company; G. H. Clay. A. G. S.; w. l.. Elem, kaulton general store; Dr. w. G. Shamblin. physician; w. J. Lewis. machinery manufacturers agent: Mrs. w. J. Lewis, famous pies; s. e. sharp, grocery store, Greensboro ave,