Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-01-26

Last week you were made acquaint-
ed with the facts regarding expendi-
lures of the money obtained at
the High School Carnival last year.
Those expenses were varied and
played quite a part in the cancellation
of old debts. Now l imagine l hear
you say, "Why do they need more
money!"
The school is an expensive institu-
ton if the figures are reckoned in dol
lars and cents. We know that the
school is a worth while institution and
results of the school balanced against
the actual monetary cost shows de-
cided swing on the side of the results
produced. You will agree with me
that we care very little for the actual
money spent so long as we get results
from our schools.
Can you picture with me the school
which has teachers, pupils and text
books only-the school which presents
a bare-walled, desolate appearance?
Can you imagine your children at the
school where there is nothing but the
dull monotonous routine of the daily
lessons with no outside activities to
cheer and urge them on and also cult
.vate their more practical side? You
have had a fair example of the school
with as many outside affairs as could
handily be crowded into it; the school
with it's athletics, its band, its other
musical organizations and what not.
These may seem like useless things
but each of them have particular
part in the life of the child and they
create an interest. The child is like
violin and must be tuned before it can
be played and these extra functions
are the means of tuning the pupils so
that they may work in harmony and
unison. You agree with this, do you
not?
But why do we have to spend our
own money when a certain portion of
the taxes are set apart for the main
tenance of our schools? Let me quote
you a few facts. During the past year
seventeen of the twenty-three counties
devoted more than 70 per cent. of their
currnt expenses toward the payment
of teachers salaries and it was not
bad expenditure either for it provided
better teachers and hence better
schools. But the teachers must also
have the materials to work with They
must have buildings that are cheerful
sanitary and we'll repaired and othe,'
things with which to cultivate interest
and make the school an inviting place.
Sending the child to school where
there is teacher and no materials to
work with is like sending boy out to
hunt with gun and no ammunition.
When the General Assembly in 1915
adopted minimum salary schedule
and compelled the County Commits
sioners to levy funds to meet this
schedule it did not compel them to
levy funds for other current expenses.
AS direct consequence the current
expense end of it suffered. Again in
1920 the General Assembly provided
for an increase but again they did not
compel the County Commissioners to
provide for their current expenses.
The County Commissioners were glad
to raise funds for the teachers for this
made the teachers more satisfied, but
they did not provide for the general
expenses of the various schools.
Eventually the counties will be COM
PEELED or will see fit to make ample
provision for such expenses but now it
is up to US to provide school fund
of our own so that We may be contin-
ually forging ahead and continue to
improve our school as we have been
doing. Eventually, l say, the load will
be lifted from your shoulders and be
carried by the county, but when that
day comes we will be ahead of the
times in trying to make T. H. S. one
of the best, if not THE best High
School in the county. Eventually,
why. not now?
Alfred G. Trundle,
For the Publicity Committee.