The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-16

ion at Roberts field.
capstone placed, in our universities
and colleges. l am informed by our
state superintendent of education
that much more money will be need.
ed. 1t can not be supplied from the
general fund; therefore, to the peo-
pie we must go. Every person be-
tween the ages of 81 and SO should
contribute to this great work and be-
come stockholder in this great fac
tory of producing a citizenship equip
ped for the duties of life.
Per Capita Tax
per capita tax would aid no lit
tie in this great enterprise. and
placed in the ill-favored and remote
sections, would give a seven months
school in every locality. Oh, what
a vision to see these great human
factories busy seven months in the
year. turning out manhood and wom-
anhood. / believe every patriotic
citizen would gladly contribute year
ly his and her mite, to so worthy
cause in order that our state may
drive from its borders, ignorance and
superstNition. When the elementary
schools are all at work seven months
in the year, fully equipped with all
the machinery, then our youth should
turn to our universities and colleges,
whose doors should be open to re-
ceive them, to finish the work and
equip them for every line of en-
deavor.
Training Our Youths
Under the able and progressive ad-
ministration of Governor Conner, the
country schools were established,
and these teeming with hundreds OF
our sons and daughters, are knock
ing at the doors of the university,
of Auburn. of Montevallo, and our
normal schools, clamoring for au-
mission for a chance to equip Them
selves as experts, not only in the
ARTS and sciences but in all profes.
sions as we'll Shall we deny them
chance? Shall we close to them
the door of opportunity and look
elsewhere for the expert and the
trained artisan to develop our re-
sources? No, thousand times, mo-;
but, when Alabama writes her name
in smoke upon the clouds. as she
takes from mine and forest, the UNI
finished product and turns it into the
finished product, let the sons and
daughters of Alabama be the arti-
sans, the experts, whose training in
our own schools have fitted them 20
reap the benefits of our God given
resources, and let us put an end TO
the bringing from the outside those
who are to reap these benefits.
Under our present constitution, all
departments of state are supported
out of the general fund, and only 2H
mills ad valorem tax go into this
fund. The privilege and license tax,
and few mis- ellaneous funds, which
will bring into this fund not more
than six million dollars approximate
ly. we can then readily see that Il
every dollar in this fund were given
to these institutions, it would not
meet the needs, much less the de-
mands. How, then, is this to be done
l have confidence in the people
these institutions are theirs. these
young men and women are their sons
and daughters; let them determine
for themselves what our future shall
hold for our sons and daughters, and
give them as soon as we can. a right
to amend the constitution and vote
a millage tax for education, and thus
determine our educational destiny
and bring in reach of every son and
daughter of Alabama an oportunity
, to reach the highest point of effi-
cheney and proficiency in every line
of endeavor. My distinguished pre-
decessor has made such recommenda-
ton, in which / heartily concur. This
does not conflict with any tax reduc-
tion promise, for then the people
themselves raise the tax and we but
give them an opportunity to aid us
in taking no backward step in educa-
ton.
Until this is done, we can not de-
termine definitely a program upon
other important matters of progress
The great work of the health of our
people and protecting them from the
ravages OF preventab1e diseases, the
proper sanitation and making the
home happier, depends upon this
same general found. The program
above outlined would place our cd
vocational system on a fixed constitu
tional basis and leave more money
for other helpful and necessary meas
ures that will place Alabama in the
front ranks and forward" will ne
our march.
Care of Unfortunate.
Il I am committed to the care OF
the wards of our state, and afte,
the education and health of our peo.
pie. comes the care of the unfor.
tunate. we nave the institutions for
the insane, for the feeble minded fol-
the deaf and dumb and blind. all II
which must be cared for. Then, too
the youth; the hayward youth. the
nameless youth, what of them?
| The child's welfare department
! must be encouraged and helped. II
| is altruistic; it is Christlike; 1t is
human. Crime, yes, we will c9ntinue
| to have crime when childken are
born in crime, nurtured in crime and
surrounded by crime. Let the state
cooperate with this department. and
aid it in snatching from the prison
the waif or hayward youth, whose
faltering childish steps but lead t.
! shame and ignominy. and start them
on the highway of nitisA--.'- ~