Evening journal., 1921-03-07
HOUSE OPENS
BATTLE OVER
School LAWS
loontinued from page ones

The exception Of the tax provisions,
has been in the hands of the mem
bers for some days. The men refer
red to are Robert C. Houston, Of
GEORGETOWN; James II. Hughes, Of
Dover. and DR.. r. W. Cooper, OF
Newark.
Mr. Houston was the first to dis
cuss the bill. and he explained how
the work was started by the hold
over senators last fall calling a meet
ing and appointing a Citizens Com
mittee to draft new school bill.
Messrs. Houston. Hughes and Cooper
were named on the executive COM
mittee of the Citizens Committee TO
draft the bill and have been at work
on 1t practically ever since.
Indications are that consideration
OF the bill in the House will last
most OF the week and It may be Fri
day before a final vote is reached.
Previous TO starting consideration
Of the bill this morning, a number
OF communications were received by
the House, objecting to the three
per cent. corporation tax in the tax
alton provisions OF the bill.
Although It is contended by many
that the bill under consideration is
practically made to order in an en-
deavor to satisfy objections in Kent
and Sussex counties. and that under
its land provisions. Wilmington and
the upper part OF New Castle county
would pay directly or indirectly at
least so per cent OF the entire tax
for operating the public schools OF
the State, the very persons for whom
efforts have been made TO satisfy are
far from agreeing on the measure as
drafted.
Just what they want does not seem
to be known by any one, at least
among those in the Legislature.
1t is said they want a charge in
administration. reduction in over
head expenses and more power for
the district trustees which it is
claimed the bill under Consideration
gives them. Notwithstanding these
conditions, opponents say the present
bill is far from satisfactory and it Is
predicted that the final showdown
this week will result in the defeat OF
the bill by a large majority in the
House.
II was rumored today that some OF
the Senators are having prepared
another bill for introduction in case
OF defeat OF the one under consider
alton in the House, but one OF the
senator's. when seen today, denied
such a report. He said he knew OF
no other bill except the one under
consideration in the House, and pre-.
dicted its defeat.
There was also a rumor today that
in event the House defeats the bill
under consideration. and both tn,
House and Senate pass the bill TO re
peal the present school laws. Cover
nor Denney may sign the repeater
No one could be found who was will
ing TO be quoted on the matter, how
ever. The passing OF the repeale
and the signing OF Il by the governo
would throw Delaware back to tn
antiouated school laws that wer
supplanted by the present schos
code two years ago.
There was a crowded gallery d
the House when consideration o
the school bill was started. Man.
persons from various parts Of tn
State interested in the matter cam
10 Dover TO observe the opening
skirmish. II is possible that afte
today arrangements will be mad
for night sessions.
Robert G. Houston explained tn
bill In detail. commenting on IN
income tax and corporation tax fea
tures. he declared any person o
corporation not willing 10 give O
their means and income TO help tn
children Of Delaware is a Stacker.
He challenged any one who IA
raised his voice in opposition I
the bill 70 show how Il would ad
versely affect the States fees fror
corporations. He said the bill woul
lift the tax burden from real estat
such property outside OF Whining
ton being asked TO provide onl
s250000. He said II the Generi
Assembly passed the bill withoi
changing the tax features Delawai
could pride itself on having the be
educational system in the Unite
States
"Let US meet the matter fairly an
squarely." ne pleaded in conciusio
Mr.. Houston took As minutes for di
seeing the bill and was frequent
applauded.
BY a vote OF II 10 4. the House
u O'Clock, on motion OF Represent
tive Noble, recessed until l30 o'cloc
Representative Hudson. Republica
and 16 Democrats voted affirmative
and IA Republicans negatively. r.
preventative Kramer, Marr, Staa
and Warrington we're absent durir
ron call.
James II. Hughes and DR.. r. '
Cooper, also Of the executive con
mittee of the Citizens Committe
win be given a hearing when Il
House reconvenes.