The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-02-03
MAKE PLEA FOR
SMITH HUGHES LAW
GENESEE PEOPLE VOICE OBJEC-
TI0N TO MOVE AT BOISE TO DROP
VOCATIONAL AG. IN SCHOOLS.

GeneSee people are opposed TO Gov
ernor Moore's economy program, in
so far as it affects the Smith-Hughes
appropriations and, Indirectly the
farming interests, according to the
following open letter signed by the
superintendent of schools, the presi-
dent of the board of education, the
president of the Parent-Teacher as
sociation, and the mayor of the city,
and published in the Genesee News:
We of the Genesee district note
with interest your message to the
Seventeenth session of the legislature
of the state of Idaho. We agree that
the program of economy is the proper
and only course to follow, and especi-
ally at the present time. We do not
feel however, in complete accord with
all items of your message, and wish
to take this occasion to inform you of
our viewpoint. We can only hope that
you may find time to earnestly con-
slider our statements.
Cooperation is one of the key
notes of social progress. Without it
all government would cease. During
that period in our national life when
we were governed by the more or
less loosely constructed Articles of
Confederation, cooperation was the
exception rather than the rule. That
was a period of state rights held in
greater esteem than national rights.
The system was wr6ng-it failed to
function-and was changed. We do
not feel that the cooperation with
the federal government in the matter
of matching moneys appropriated by
the government is, in any sense what
ever, " of questionable propfiety." It
is simply a question as to whether
or not the state, as a social unit, may
or may not profit or progress from
or because of these various appropria-
tions We certainly know who con-
tributes to these federal funds, and
as one of the forty-eight, or more,
contributing units, we feel that we
are rightfu1ly entitled to some share
in the Redistribution of these funds.
Otherwise our share in the national
holdings would go as charity and
we feel that Idaho is In no position
to build up the interests of the other
states while receiving no benefits her
self
"Ours is an agricultural community,
Our states agricultural interests are
wide, varied, and of no secondary i'm
portance. We feel that any stimulus,
aid, or cooperation that will now, or
at any time, help the farmer deserves
OUR hearty support. Accordingly, we
feel somewhat concerned when those
benefits which we have enjoyed in the
past seem to be endangered and re-
for compelte removal from
our budgets. We refer to those ad-
known professionally as the
Smith-Hughes state and federal appro-
)riations for vocational agriculture,
lome economics and trades and indus
ries We sincerely hope that it was
lot your intention to remove these
,enefits completely from your recon-
nendations to the legislature in pre-
,aring the budget for the next two
ears work in Idaho. We feel that
We are entitled to a share in the bene-
its of these funds, since we consider
ourselves to be, in a degree, contri-
uting factors towards their creation.
Where the work under the direc-
ion of the vocational directors of ag-
iculture in our state has been given
fair and honest trial we are sure
hat the farmers are enthusiastic sup
orters of the idea. We know this is
he case in our own community and
many of the farmers have personally
expressed sincere concern when in
ormed of the trend, or APPARENT trend,
f affairs in Boise at the present time.
What more endorsement could we ask
han the hearty approval of the sturdy
armer. and especially those who have
ONE in contact with the actual appli-
alton of this form of education? The
My regrettable feature we can find
With this work is that it was neces-
arv to limit and to confine it for the
,ast few years to some % or 80
chools in the state of Idaho.
If economy and curtailment is the
rogram, as it should be, we believe
hat the agriculture interests of our
tate, in so far as the Smith-Hughes
unds or appropriations are concerned
hould bear their proportionate share
f the reductions, on the same per-
entage basis as cuts are made else
there. if the cuts are to be made in
II departments. This fund should not
g eliminated.
1--WE do not ask that we be given
ny special preference or privileges
ut that we be given equal considera-
ion with the other state activities.
We ask for square deal We ex-
ect to share our responsibilities, our
uties and our obligations with the
est. We ask for life, for the privi-
sge to progress, even if very slowly,
nd would urge that a body blow
e not struck at this very important
nd progressive bit of education.
ocationaI agriculture in Idaho should
OF become an extinct species 1T
hould be vital and alive. We sin
ere1y hope that the blame for its
Iimination in our state may not be
lid at the feet of Governor G. c.
Ioore
" We are watching with intense in
crest and with much concern the OUT
ONE Of the activities of the seven
zenith session of the legislature of the
- IdoIa