The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1921-12-16
sPAYERs WILL
NOT FEEL BURDEN
LEGISLATURE ADOPTS FITL
HU0H's PLAN OF FINANc-
ING SCHOOLS
President state Board OF Education
ExpIaIns To Governor
Ritehie.

resident State Board OF Edueasion
Explains To Governor
Ritehle.
Or. HENRY NJ. FiTzHUoH
Westminster, Nd, Nov. 20, 1921.
Governor Albert c. Richie.
Annapolis. Maryland.
Ny dear Governor Richie:
\ At the time Of discussion Of the
>ehool budget In your ONCE last Wed
kssday, you stated that the money
raised by direct taxation ID by law
dedicated first, to the bonded debt re-
Quirements OF the State, and secondly,
TO the schools The conversation then
developed the fact that public educa-
ton is the only State activity that -
supported principally out Of the d.
rectly levied tax, and that the institu-
tons caring for the sick. the INDECENT.
the criminal, the insane, agriculture.
higher education, ETC., are supported
by funds raised by indirect taxation.
Later you asked me IL thought that
the public would stand for o tenscent
raise In the tax rate In order to carry
out the proposed program OF the State
carried by this question was. take
It, that the demands of other State
managed social activities would so
reduce the general fund that the
schools would be obliged to go direct
ay to the people for additional money.
have. since leaving your ONCE.
been considering the status Of the
school budget under the existing meth
cd Of providing funds. and 1t seems
that the situation, which possibly
might embarrass the Executive, the
Legislature, and the school system 10
substantially thia:
Everything but bond and school re-
quirements Is provided out of the fund
raised by indirect taxation. II, after
everything else IL provided for, any
money remains in the general fund
that money goes to supplement an
! amount raised by direct taxation for
bp0rt Of the schools. The schools
re sustained from two sources,
ariable. The drst source. name
be general fund. contributes 3
proportion; and the second
be, namely, the direct tax. . large
ortiOn. The first source is NOT
b. the close scrutiny of the taxpay-
the second. because 1t is on the
bin, Is at all times under the
licai scrutiny not only OF the tax
sers but Of the politicians as we'll.
both sources Of income vary, anG
he frst Is by custom and law the
that supplies the other social &C
les of the State, 1t naturally fol
that the schools, by reason o.
8 the residuary legatee, so t.
ik. are forced to levy taxes in di
proportion to the degree Of ex
Ion that the necessities OF the
organizations demand. WheI
chools. IN order to meet the de
Is OF progress. ara forced to fal
on funds derived from direc'
b they are in position to be at
ked by the uniformed public a.
ing extravagant and as the sol
use Of the increased tax rate. The
-st soures depends on and varies II.
roportion to the needs Of other &C
lvities; the second depends on anc
aries with the experience, inclination
and sense Of expedsency Of those who
decide st any particular time what
the rate is to be.
Now there are some features abou.
the school system of the State tina.
! are. perhaps, occasionally lost sight OF
but which by reason OF their import.
ance must be recognised:
First: 1t Is in direct touch
with majority OF the families Of
! = the State.
Second: II deals directly with
about quarter OF o million chill
dren and is under the most critical
scrutiny Of their parents.
Third: It Ia means provided
by a democracy to produce and
maintain such constantly rising
level Of intelligence and informa-
tion ms will insure = progressive
improvement in the general char
Acter Of our national life.
Fourth: 1t employs seven thou
Dand persons who TO very large
extent influence the fundamental
thoughts and characters Of
quarter OF million children dur
ing the most impressionable
period Of their lives.
Fifth: It il the only institution
charged by the State with uni.
versal compulsory obligation.
namely, that Of compelling the at
tendance at school Of the children
between the ages OF seven and
seventeen years. regardless Of the
sect. color. social position or d.
nancial status OF the parents; and
most parents send their children
to the public schools.