Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-01-05

time INDUCED in to best advantage
during the last weeks Of session.
Legislature will consider each ques-
ton on it's merits. and not allow itself
to resort to the unfortunate practices
Of former days.
The schools of Maine are one of my
iirst-hand information l have visited
many schools of different grades
throughout the State. and it is inspir-
ing to see the teachers and children
our counties are the same. happy and
responsive. eager for suggestions and
appreciative OF any attention shown
them. l wish 1 had time to visit
every scEoolhouSe in the State.
During the past few years the, fin
ances OF our School department have
been reorganized and placed in excel
lent condition. Appropriations have
Bonus tax: 7ess Of 10 all 'li the eG money
raised by direct taxation during the
fiscal years 1922 and 1928 was paid in
to the School Fund under the annual
h is m taS t for 81 ssho sSs
ceived s465.5 6O.4S from the bank tax
and permanent School Fund interest,
and $4,000 for special educational
these. items total $5.Os6.S4S.5 avail
able for school purposes. In this con-
nection it is interesting to note that
the State of Maine holds the seventh
position among all the, states as to the
amount of money raised for schools
by State taxation.
At present the Legislature, by sug-
gestion of the State Superintendent Of
Schools, plans two years in advance
as to what amounts will be required
for certain of our educational activi-
ties, and as our school system is con-
stantly developing and improving it is
d iate to estimate accurately. l be
date all the branches of our school
work and place them under the regular
mill tax School Fund. This would
n maKa for eco economy simplicity In &C
departments growth, for the regular
increase in State valuation that takes
place every two years will provide n
considerable amount of additional rev.
ments activities The increase re-
amount. to s23s.429.7S.
The primary schools we'll may be
alton. Those in rural sections and
unorganzed townships require the
most attention. The very young chill
dren in the lower grades seem so de-
special appeal to me. The older chill
drcn having advanced somewhat in
years and wisdom have attained a
measure of independence and self
reliance. The little schoolhouse at the
lonely crossroads is a venerable insti-
tuition that has contributed toward this
country's progress. but many of them
should be rebuilt with proper sanitary
arrangements ARA cement; while others should. be
few that do not need Improvement. On
visiting these schools and talking
with the patient teachers. I marvel
that little children progress as rapid
ly as they do under somewhat trying
conditions.
our rural schools of all grades must
not be neglected, for no self-respect-
ing farmer. even though his land be
fertile. will remain in a town unless
fundamentals OF good education. A
determined effort must be made to
tquallze conditions so that children in
the sinai! places may have equal
CenterS.
Our more advanced grades. and our
nigh schools and academies. are doing
satisfactory work and have made great
Improvement in their teaching forces
and equipment Agricultural. manual
training and home economies courses
have increased rapidly. The State
takes pride in the young men and
ddoin. Colby and the University of
Maine. for in character and natural
ability they are second to none, and
the training they receive fits them to
cope with the problems of life. Our
state Normal schools are we'll man
aged and filled to capacity. while the
teachers rained in them will do much
to shape the future of the State.
reachsrs' salaries have been increased
from s9afo, to 80 1-1o1s and the value
of school buildings within the State.
including those now under construc-
ton: has risen from nine and If
millons to twenty millions. all within
SIX years. In the list of states six
Years ago Maine stood thirty-seventh
on its educational rating. but the new
survey VIII at least accord us the
twelfth position. All this has re-
CURED many sacrifices on the part of
our people, and great credit is due to
the head of this department. under
whose guidance and inspiration these
marked advances have been made.
Eoads
Although there is wholesome diff
terence of opinion on road matters. |
believe the States road work has pro
crossed with reasonable satisfaction
curing the past two years. In 1921
end end 1872? the State bu lit $3.50 miles of
State highway gravel roads; 400. 46
miles of other gravel roads: 74.s7
miles of macadam, and 32.97 miles of
concrete roads. costing on the average
55oo'ao51251. S5:332;41. S29,7S9.92. s46.-
oao.oS respectively In other words.
ii
much as 1:S9 miles of State highway
gravel roads, and 5.5S miles of other
gravel roads. The cost of a mile of
concrete road pays for 200 miles of
state highway gravel roads and S.72
lnlieS OF other gravel roads. 1t should
not be forgotten, however, that the
gravel roads are part-time roads. in
GOOD condition for about eight months
cach year while barring heavy SHOWS
those built of macadam and concrete
are useful twelve months in the year
on these hard-surfaced roads some
better provision should be made for
2oto of all the roads built by the state
during the administration of tho High
way Commission have been construct cd
of gravel
We are spending all we can afford
on road construction and the problem
IS to spend wisely. In this connection
l call your attention to the plan of
the Maine Federation of Agricultural
Association which is worthy of care
full study as the work of practical
maintenance has been attended to
better than before. In my State wide
travels L have found that in certain
counties more attention is given to
maintenance than in others. 1t al
ways is encouraging to meet road
patrolmen with team and drag
smoothing out rough places after a
shower. An effort must be made to
have all sections of the State adopt
higher standards of maintenance. and
many poor road can be kept de-
Gently passable at slight expense by
| proper cooperation between State
and local officials. In 1922, 4414 miles
| of road We're patrolled by 494 men
and the State in that period spent
about $40 for maintenance for each
81 spent for it by cities and towns
| IL Is fundamental that roads should
not be built faster than they proper
| ly can be maintained.
Bonds For Roads
| Under the constitutional amend
ment of 1913 we have bonds to the
| %