The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-26
TRANSPORTATION IS CALLED CHIEF ISSUE BEFORE NATION TODAY
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 cut the wishes of the people as ex- pressed at the polls.
 "The total bond fund expenditures for white schools, 1916 to- 1923, has been $2,5S7,632 or Ss.4 per cent of the total.
 Total bond fund expenditures for negro schools, 1916 to 1923, has been il cluding the s1s2,6s9 contract made today for the Industrial school, S33s,955 or 11.6 per cent of the total.
 "Tbe actual enrolment of white schools, 1916 to 1923, is 65 per cent of the total enrolment.
 The actual enrolment of negro schools, 1916 to 1923, is 35 per cent of the total enrolment.
 Tn view of the discussion of this matter through the press the board feels that the public is due the above statement"
 Winners of Contracts.
 The board of education at it's Fri day meeting awarded the general contract for the negro industrial high school to the Miller Brothers Con struction company for s15b,ssl, while the mechanical contracts including plumbing. heating and wiring were let to the Plumbing Service company for s7,350; the T. J. Reece company for s21,46S and the Mill and Mine Engineers $7,000, respectively. These contracts were let Friday afternoon at the meeting of the board of edu- cation held in the office of pr. c. 5. Glenn, superintendent of the Bir- mingham public schools.
 The committee of the Trades Coun- cil composed of 15 members includ- ing both men and women, and headed by J. H. F. Moseley. appeared before the board when the meeting was called to order, and presented their protest pleading for free school books and supplies to be extended through the sixth and seventh grades.
 Promised Free Text Books.
 The petition presented to the board stated that in 1910 the board of edu- cation had promised to furnish free school books and supplies, commence ing with the first and second grades, to be followed by one grade each year. The board kept its agreement at this time and in 1911 issued free text books and supplies to the first and second grades and continued until the fourth grade was furnished. Dur ing the succeeding year up to 1915, free text books were granted for the first to the fifth grades. Since the last text books were made free to the children in the first five grades. the petition recited, the people have voted mills of addi- tional taxation for school purposes which. this year, amounts to $1,262,- 900, "and we fail to see where the board can raise the cry of not enough funds to grant this request and carry out their obligations to the children of, this city,
 It further cited that organized la Dor had stood by every educational program; every movement for the betterment of the public schools of the city; and that it was still fight ing for better education for the chill dren.
 Protest Against Action. In regard to the construction of the Negro Industrial High school, the petition read as follows: We are given to understand that it is the intention ot the board of education to utilize certain funds for the pur- pose of erecting a negro high school. Now, we have no objection to this plan, but we say in all seriousness and earnestness that we protest such an action by this board until the promise of the board to provide free books in all the elementary grades be carried out. If money Is avail able to erect negro high schools. then it must be available to furnish these books and supplies.
 We are not here to threaten but to cooperate, but we want an an- swer to our request. We want to know just what you propose to dc about these solemn obligations en-