The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-10-06
(By Mrs. Scion r. Boynton, Second
Vice-President, Washington State
Parent Teacher ASSN

Initiative No 46, Familiarity known
as the 1910 School Fund Proposal,
will not increase taxes $3,750,000 as
is sometimes charged, but it will
shift that $3,75O,0OO from the I'M
equal local district basis to the state
basis, in order that the burden of
school taxation may be more nearly
equal in all parts of the state. 1t
will increase low taxes and decrease
high taxes, which is frankly the end
to be desired.
Opponents of this measure in TAX
ing up the features of state response
bility for the support of our schools,
argue that to equalize school tax
monies, we shall break great eco
nomic law. This is not so, or being
so, is not recognized in other great
functions of our government where
equalization prevails. How about
our postal system? In this not even
the state has a voice, but our splen-
did government renders aqual service
to all. How about the road systems?
In parts of our great state where
lavish Nature has place marvellous
scenic wonders, the state steps in
and helps to open up, advertise, pro-
mote, and build wonderful roads. Not
only the state, but the Federal gov
eminent also lends helping hand.
When the old district road system
prevailed, we had good roads only in
favored spots, and in many cases
the farmer with his extreme need for
roads had none save those he made
himself.
If state esponsibility be good for
these and other functions of gov
eminent, why not the school? A
greater share Of the burden of school
cost thus borne by .the state places
the wealth Of the state on basis
of greater equality, whether it be
great wealth or small wealth. There
IS no logical reason why valuation in
one section of the state should es-
cape any Of its responsibility in an
affair that concerns the whole state
alike.
To argue that the state already
bears school responsibility is not to
the point. We know that it does
some, and for the very reason that
the state portion of that support is
the only EQUAL support, we ask
that that be increased so that in
every nook and Granny of the state
where children are waiting for edu-
cational necessities, the state fund
may help supply their needs. and re-
lieve the local tax burden.
The reason for the existence of
the public school is that it NAV de-
velope an intelligent citizenship. Pow
erty will flourish anywhere without
citizenship, but wealth will wither
and die. No matter what the natural
resources may be, they avail nothing
without an educated citizenry, as is
shown by the example of countries
rich IN Natures wealth, but all un-
developed, and with poverty reigning
| for no reason but that of prevailing
| ignorance.
Wealth in the end will best serve
its own interests by adopting an open
handed policy toward education. But
Initiative As does not ask of anv
| wealth that 1t pay more than its
share, dollar for dollar, whether it
lies in rich district or a poor one.
1t merely asks that every dollar
carry its own load. 1t asks that the
| dollar now escaping taxation assume
| ITS burden in order to Tighten the
burden of the dollar that largely
Vanlshes in taxation. 1t asks the
state to tax all dollars alike and
cease to a great extent to require
the local district to tax dollars un-
equally
This measure is fair. for wealth is
wealth only because it derives its
value from the resources, the patron
age, and the community value of the
whole state. None is wealth of it.
self alone, and to the coming citizens
of the state it owes its future we'll
being, so even from the most selfish
monetary interest, an educated citi-
zenry must be assured.
1t IS sometimes questioned wheth-
err any great emergency exists. The
following letter from county sup
erlntendent whose name will be glad
ly given is the most illuminating
comment on the situation.
Dear Mr.. ," In answer tc
your letter of inquiry concerning
school district No. go of this county
will say that owing to the extremely
low valuation. S14,170 in 1922. SO.
300 in 1923, and a warrant account
Of $500, we find it entirely out OF
the question to hold school every
year. Last year we laid off and BY
so doing, reduced the warrant ac.
count to the above figure. Some
school will be held this year. prob
ably three or four months. The la
mentable part of the situation is.