The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1922-10-06
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
OPPOSED TO Sole MEASURE.

The so-called 3O-lO measure, upon
which the voters are called upon to
vote as a referendum proposition at
the November election means moth
ing more nor less than an increased
taxation, Notwithstanding the sOphes-
law. Already our educational tax is
monster burden. for theer is much
OF the expensive frills Of present day
public scaool and university educa-
ton that is OF no permanent value to
the scholar. For years people have
passively submitted to constantly in
creased taxation for educational pur-
poses. Without weighing the value to
the child of any suggestion that was
put forth in the name Of improvement
of the school system, property owners
have registered no protest against the
increase in school expenses until the
load mas become to heavy to bear.
Now this 1910 measure is proposed
that will increase taxes another three
or four million. Mrs. Josephine C..
Preston. superintendent OF public in
structiOn, is one of the leading edu-
Gators Of the state. who is opposed to
the 3O-10 measure and SO states her
position in the following cOmmunica-
ton:
An impression exists in some parts
Of the state that am supporting lni-
tiative Measure No. 46, known as the
3O-1O measure. In order to correct that
impression wish to make my i'm
preston clear.
II am not in favor OF the plan in the
form in which it is now before the
people. 1t would increase the state
school tax nearly four million dollars
and add levy Of over three mills on
all taxable property in the state for
that purpose. do not believe that
there is an emergency in education
that demands such a change.
THE measure would tend to in
crease the total amount OF taxation
for school purposes. While automatic
ally increasing the state tax it does
not guarantee lower local taxes. ] am
opposed to any considerable increase
business depression.
1.-The bill makes an objectionable
change in the distribution Of school
FUNDS. State money is now distributed
in proportion to the attendance Of
children. This measure would distrib-
ute one half on the basis Of attendance
and the other half in proportion to the
number of teachers. The distribution
of county funds would be on the same
basis, instead Of the present basis OF
one-third in proportion to the number
of teachers. The consolidation bonus
is also eliminated. These changes
would encourage needless duplication
in the number of teachers and schools
and discourage the present movement
toward Capitalization in natural COM
munity centers which is the greatest
factor in the improvement Of rural
schools. We are trying to give the
country people strong school centers
that can maintain rural high schools
and keep the boys and girls at home
during the high school age. This meas
ure would place great obstacles in
our way.
Il regret to find myself differening
from many people who are sincerely
interested in education, but ! feel that
much OF sentiment in favor Of the bill
is based on a Misunderstanding of its
real effect. ANY thoughtful person will
know that as Superintendent Of Public
Instruction ! am deeply and unselfisn-
ly interested in the civic and school
! welfare of the children Of the state. II
is my business to be interested II
had no other urge or impulse. My ex.
perience and contact with our schools
have convinced me that the 30-1C
measure will not he for the best inter-
ests of education"
JOSEPHINE CORLISS PRESTON