The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-07
CITIzE s ENDORSE
 MILEAGE TAX PL A N
(Continued from Page One)

| ! stitutional amendment read so that | a tax not to exceed six mills could ] be levied on the advice and recom- 1 mendation of the governor of the l state. Objections to the S2 per cap i ita were that it would work hard | ship on impoverished citizens of the ! state. The resolution does not mem 1 tion the per capita tax.
 | Governor Brandon's address before i the morning session of the confer 1 ence was the feature e the meeting. i The conference authorized the print l ing of 50.000 copies of the governors address for distribution in the state. 1 The speech will be printed In pam phlet form. Motion authorizing this action was made by M. K. Clements, l county superintendent of Limestonc | County, and seconded by Mrs. J. C. Wilkins, of Dallas county, the only woman member of the Alabama leg islature.
 proposed constitutional amendment, levying a three mill property tax for educational purposes, which shall be divided as follows: one-half to ele- mentary and normal schools and one half to higher institutions of learn ing. He reiterated his recommenda- tion to the legislature for the adop- tion of g per capita tax to be levied on every citizen of the state between the ages of 2t and 50. This  In every district in the state. "Education is the most important question before the state of Alabama today" Governor Brandon declared Tt is my desire that Alabama be second to none in giving it's people educational advantages.
 This is actually the most impor- tant day in the history of the state and 1 sincerely desire to take the people in confidence in this great question of education and attempt to work an adequate program for edu- cational development. Education Is the most valuable asset to any sta< and all forward movements along educational lines should be sup ported.
 Development First Duty.
 "The states first duty is to deVel- op it's men and women and I believe that the people of the state will gladly pay a tax for the education of their children. believe the remedy for the situation existing In Alabama is q mileage tax which should be fixed to support the instl- tutions of learning. The needs can not be met out of the state treasury and there should be an amendment to the constitution providing for three mill tax, one-half of the tax to go to the support of the elementary and normal schools and the other half to institutions of higher learning.
 :"Education Is the best investment any state can possibly make. When all our people are educated there Will ! be no need for millions of dollars TOT the upkeep of jais and penitentIarles. We must make education attractive and easy to obtain and the hope of the state of Alabama is to produce citizens who will lead and not follow those produced elsewhere.
 "The responsibility for illiterary in this state rests upon all the citi- zens and all forces must, combine to lift Alabama to higher level In re- spect to education.
 Governor Brandon was interrupted by applause at several places in his address. The conference seemed to stand unanimously behind him.
 Al the close of his address the Governor introduced Congressman w. B. Bankhead of the Tenth dis trict who spoke briefly on the work of the federal government in furth- sring education. He expressed con fidenee that the sterling Iownef Dill would be passed by congress
 MT. Bankhead opposed any efforts to repeal the present law providing for the election of county superin- tendeits of education by county hoard of education Tt is not the policy of national office holders to take definite stands on state ques- ;ions." he declared, but as citizen I sincerely trust the proposed law fer the election of county superin- tendents of education will not pass, and if it does pass l feel sure HoN, ernor Brandon will not approve 1t.
 The citizens conference wIs called 10 order at o'clock by Governor Brandon. He was the first speaker. Other speakers were MT. Bankhead. Sidney J. Bowie. John c. lnzer and l. aY1-h
 MT. Bowie urged the conference to stand behind Governor Brandon anu program for education
 I've cannot afford to fail to make Alabama's schools as good as the average of other states" he said The boys and girls of Alabama are entitled to the same opportunities that arc given boys and girls or other states"
 MT. Bowie's subject was, Can we afford the cost of making our other stateso' He pointed out that nearly three -fourths of the taxable property of Alabama were in the hands of non-residents ana that the state had lost control Of its property because of ignorance and the in capability of its citizens to develop what nature placed at their disposal:
 we have lost one and one-half billions of dollars in taxable pro perty during the last 4U years so that we could be able to pat our selves on the chest and congratulate ourselves on our lower taxes he concluded.
 Better Normal Schools.
 MT. Inzer advocated better normal schools for the training of teachers and longer terms in the rural schools in his address on, some or orr most important educational needs and the means Of meeting them.
 Mrs. Clarke, representing the Fed- eration of Women's Clubs, spoke on How Clubwomen Can Help In the Campaign." She told of the activities
 of various organizations in educa- tional work, and pledged the support of the womens clubs in the 1ight for education in Alabama.
 The afternoon session was devoted almost solely to the report of the committee on resolutions composed or John II. Bankhead, Victor II. Han son. Mrs. Charles J. Sharp, J. T. Ell son. Lewis Bowen and K. F. L. Cope.
 This committee made it's report shortly after 8 o'clock. MT. Bank head made short talk in favor or the resolutions when he moved their adoption.
 Group meetings featured the sec ond day of the educational associa-