Evening journal., 1923-02-01
NELSON HEARS
FROM Home FOLK
Frankford Delegation Pre-
sents Petition Against
Harming Schools
CAUCUS TO CONTROL
HIM, SAYS NELSON
STAFF Correannndent

Staff Correspondent.
STATE HOUSE, DOVER. Feb.
Representative Nelson. who some
time ago introduced a bill in tn
House to abolish certain Offices un
der the State Board OF Education
to reduce the number OF rural su
pervisors and to make material cut
in the salaries of officials under tn
board, which bill, It Is claimed
would greatly decrease the eflcienc!
OF the system that has been mapped
out under the present law. heard
from home yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Nelson is from Frankford
and a delegation from that town had
hearing before the House Com
mittee on education. Former Sen
ator Asa Bennett and Miss Sallie
Hall. OF the Frsnkford Century Club,
headed the delegation and presented
a petition signed by 203 taxpayers
OF the locality. In the petition Rep
resentative Nelson is asked to do
nothing that would impair the pres
ent efficient school system.
Several members OF the delega-
tlon addressed the committee.
They stated that II was their OBJ
jsct 10 make a protest against any
thing that might tend to lower the
standard OF the public schools and
to make It plain that they want the
school standard to remain at least
as high as II now is. They also IA
vor the $4,000 900 bond issue for a
state school building program.
The tax rate under a revsrslon TO
the old law. Senator Bennett said
would he approximately 81 as
against the present rate OF rs cents
on the 500. He said another petl-
tion had been circulated 10 which
had been obtained a number OF sig
natures on a Misunderstanding that
the signers were merely endorsing
an economy program and that some
had afterwards asked to have their
names withdrawn from the petition.
Senator Bennett said the people
OF the district did not favor an in
crease in the tax rate on realty,
feeling that there were many other
sources OF wealth. now untaxed.
from which enough revenue could
be derived without putting the
burden on the farmer.
Senator Bennett said the psople
In his district were divided as TO
the value OF home economics in the
schools. but were generally opposed
10 agriculture being taught. as they
iid not believe T. was proving OF any
benefit.
Representative Nelson was at
tending the budget committee hear
Ings, Of which he lie secretary. dur
ing most Of the time the Frankford
delegation was being heard, hut ar
rived IN the room near the end OF
the hearing He asked for the priv
ilege OF making n statement. which
was granted by Chairman Holcomb,
OF the education committee.
lie said in part:
1T is true there ars people IN my
district who are in favor OF the very
AAAn1E NAAANh A'GA . ny GNHdAQE BEN
nett. Miss Hall and others. but
iesire to say there are others who
ire opposed. I herewith present a
petition which vas handed to me on
ny return home on Friday night
asst OF which knew absolutely
lothing about. in which I am asked
o do all IN my power TO reduce the
burden OF taxation.
I'm this connection 7 felt that the
'verhead expenses Of the education
Il department were too heavy and
hould he reduced. I believe that
hey can be reduced by at least
10000, without impa!ring the ef-
Iciency OF the department.
II am sorry that this matter has
'otten into politics. 1 shall be gov
rned in my vote on these matters
" my party caucus. II they in
truct me to vote for the building
and other educational mat /
srs. I shall do So"
Miss Hall. in reply. said that pol /
tics was in no way considered in .
he matter nor by the club she rep
esents
Senator Bennett also stated there /.
vas no, politics in the matter and /.
hat he was not guided in his re-
marks or his activity In favor Of /.
'e.ter schools by any political /,
hought whatever. his sole object |
eing for the benefit and betterment /
Z the children OF this district.
Representative Little, a member |
4 the committee. stated that no !
'olitlcal party would guide him in !
lis vote on such matters, that he .
esired to vote for the most good |