The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-07-07
AS Others See 1t
TOURISTS AND RESIDENTS
(Florida Times-Union.)

Because there had been real difficulties
n financing the Gc,:ool p:c3:c:..3 il some parts
of the state the past year, salaries having been
raised to something reasonable and new buildings
being demanded here, there and almost every
where, it came also to be discussed as to the adj
visibility of making transients pay when sending
the children to school, Very few people ex-
pressed any approval of the idea, when first
brought forward, and the opposition to such a
method of increasing school funds rapidly de-
veloped, even when there was not even propo-
siton regarding such action. The promoters of
the plan, however, were noisy and succeeded in
getting up quite discussion-which ended n the
getting up quite a discusson-which ended in the
entire dscrediting of the suggestion and the state
ment generally made that Floridas splendid pub
lie schools would continue, they have always
been, free to the children in the state.
And, bad move sometimes does a bit
of good it can be shown that the agitation regard
ing possible denial of free tuition for the chill
dren of people visiting in the state, brought out
interesting facts and figures, perhaps not thought
of by many and indicative of the way in which
Floridas steadily growing in resident population
and general attention. In Pineas county and
especially in St Petersburg the movers for
charge of tuition fees for nOn-resdents were most
persistent, and the Times, strongly opposed to
such a proposal, asked editorially who is
tourist?' and in course of the answer, said:
"Of course any fair tuition charge would have
to exempt taxpayers. Likewise it would have to
allow residents the freedom of the schools. And
when you have exempted the residents of all
classes, and the taxpayers both direct and indi-
rect, who would be left? Aside from the bad
advertising the city would get from aboishing
its far-famed free schools, the proposition reduces
itself to financial and business absurdity in the
light of figures obtainable OF the 1900 pupils
enrolled from outside of Pinellas county the par
ents of but sixty of them, could be classed as
neither residents nor taxpayers. In other words,
just sixty found who either do not own
property here or do not pay rental of from 5000
to $1,S00. In that rental they quite naturally
assume that they are paying taxes and other ex-
penses for the property owner. There is another
interesting angle which the city superintendent
report brings out quite clearly That is the fact
that the parents of SIS of these outside" pupils
actually already their own homes here.
Capt. Lynch discovered the number of home
owners increasing at remarkable rate. There
seems to be no better way to interest man in
this community citizn and home-owner than
to allow his children the advantages of our fine
school system"
The schools of Pinellas and the schools in every
other county in Florida are open to the winter
visitor and his family and will remain open. The
state is glad to be able to offer this as an added
attraction to the climate and the cordial welcome
that is here for all Corners. 1t is also pleased
to find that so many of what have been regarded
as tourists really winter residents with al
most if not quite strong interest and af-
lection for Florida as the place they may still
call home" Thousands are deciding every year
to make Florida the permanent home, and our
educational institutions are to be credited among
greatest assets.