Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-12-15
TAXPAYERS WILL
NOT FEEL BURDEN
o. LEGISLATURE ADOPTS FITZ-
HuoH'e PLAN OF FINANc-
ING SCHOOLS
President state Board OF Education
Explains To Governor
RltchIe.
On. HENRY M. FITzHUoH

W. uGNnI Me I'll ZrOSU
Westminster. Nd, Nov. rs. 1921.
Governor Albert C. Richie,
Annapolis, Maryland.
ny dear Governor Richie:
At the time of discussion of the
school budget in your Office last We'd
AssAAy, you stated that the money
raised by direct taxation is by law
dedicated Arst. to the bonded debt re-
auiremants OF the State. and secondly.
90 me eehoolA The conversation then
developed the fact that public educa-
tan 10 the only State activity that IL
suOportsd principally out of the di-
rsstiy levied tax, and that the institu-
lions caring for the sick. the INDECENT,
ne criminal. the insane. agriculture.
highsr education, ETC., are supported
BY funds raised by indirect taxation.
Later you asked me IL / thought that
the public would stand for a ten-cent
raise In the tax rate in order TO carry
cut the proposed program of the State
Beard Of Education. The implication
carried by this question was, take
Il. that the demands of other State
managed social activities would so
reduce the general fund that the
schools would be obliged TO go direct
u 20 the people for additional money
] Nave. since leaving your office.
been eonsidering the status OF the
soAoOa budget under the existing meth
@ q providing funds. and 1t seems
that the situation. which possibly
might smbarrass the Executive. the
Legislature, and the school system is
Substantially this:
Everything but bond and school re-
Guirsmsnts 10 provided out of the fund
raised By indirect taxation. II. after
everything else IL provided for, any
money remains In the general fund.
nat money goes to supplement an
amount raised by direct taxation for
he support Of the schools. The schools
then are sustained from two sources,
beth variable. The first source. name
u. the general fund. contributes a
small proportion; and the second
source. namely. the direct tax. a large
mnaer the close scrutiny OF the taxpay-
sgs: the second. because II is on the
aax bin. II AZ all times under the
critical scrutiny not Only OF the tax
payers but OF the politicians as well.
A both sources OF income varN and
- the Arst Is by custom and law the
one that supplies the other social &C
tiytties Of the State. IL naturally fol-
lows that the schools, by reason Of
being the residuary legatee. SO to
speak. are forced 20 levy taxes in d.
rect proportion to the degree of ex-
pansion that the necessities OF the
ether organizations demand When
che schools. In order to meet the de-
HAnes Of progress. are forced TO fall
AAsk On funde derived from direct
taxes they are in position TO be at
tackled BY the uniformed public as
being extravagant and as the sole
cause OF the increased tax rate. The
arst source depends on and varies In
proportion to the needs of other &C
Gtvttiss; the second depends on aud
variee with the experience. inclination.
and ssnse Of expediency of those who
decide at any particular time what
the rate 10 to be.
Now there are some features about
the school system OF the State that
are. perhaps. occasionally lost sight OF.
but which by reason of their import
ance must be recognized:
First: II is in direct touch
with q majority of the families OF
the State.
Second: Il deals directly with
about b quarter OF q million chill
drea and Is under the most critical
scrutiny Of their parents.
Third: II Is q means provided
~ . democracy TO produce and
maintain such . constantly rising
lsvd OF intelligence and iniorma-
ton q viii insure . Progressive