The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-17
md British Are Still Apart On Tens of Debt Settlement

admission. Alabama should be sec.
ond to no state in gAing our sons
and daughters every advantage. The
people have responded recently to
the call of the university and Auburn
and voluntarily subscribed literally
to a building fund. The needs OF
these schools and colleges are so APP
parent that We must consider care-
fully the same, and meet squarely thu
responsibility. All of these institu-
lions are now maintained out of the
general fund of the state treasury
The sources of revenue to this fund,
not otherwise appropriated by con-
stitutional provisions, are meagre,
and are approximately to-wit: ga
mills ad valorum tax, amounting to
$2,3S9, 1928. The licenses arising
mills ad valorem tax. amounting to
$3.50, 2S6.07; miscellaneous sources.
S632,315. 9S, or total of approximate
ly only $4,932,3 54.2S. From this fund
every department of government is
now supported. From this fund all
appropriations for education not
fixed by the constitution must come.
A careful and impartial study Ct the
situation will show that IL we appro-
priated the whole of the general fund
to our Institutions of learning 1t
would hardly meet their imm ediate
needs. Some remedy must be applied.
Having confidence in the people of
this state and their earnest desire
to have every boy and girl get an
adequate education, and in order to
place higher education in the reach
of all, 1t occurs to me that these in
situations will never be properly cared
for until we fix a millage tax by con-
stitutioaal amendment for the sup
port of our higher institutions of
learning and forever fixing q policy
for their support and maintenance.
We have stood for reduction in
taxes. BY this method we would al
low the people to pass upon the ques-
ton OF taxing themselves, and 1t
would not be tax arbitrarily fixed,
but the people themselves would have
an opportunity to determine the des-
tiny of Cur institutions. The needs
cannot be met out of the state treas
ury. The question is of such grave
Importance to our people that in my
opinion this presents our only rem
edy. We must meet the issue
squarely and provide for these schools
and colleges, or they will not be able
to measure up to their fields of use
fulness. /, therefore, earnestly urge
that a constitutional amendment be
submitted for a 3mill tax, one-half
to go to cur normal colleges and
elementary schools. the other one
half to go to our higher institutions
of learning.
plan could be worked cut by
which an equitable division could be
made out of funds arising out of
such millage tax to go annually to
the support of our elementary
schools, high schools, the normal
schools and higher institutions of
learning, and would not be forced
to receive a pittance from the gen.
eral fund. In order to prevent dupli-
cation and extravaganza, a law should
be passed defining the field of work
for each institution. and in this way
bring all educational institutions in
harmony. There should not be dis
cordant note in our educational sys-
tem-jealousies and animosities and
selfish differences should be eradi-
Gated. All cur institutions have one
common mother-the state-and 1t is
highly important and greatly to be
desired that a system be worked out
that will blend in one common whole
every school of the state, and leave
no room for pickering or discord.
There is need for all and great OPP
portunity for all. This system should
be worked out without prejudice to
any, but with the common good of
all. Ny predecessor had a survey
made Of our educational needs, and
1t is a matter of record, and I COM
mend the careful study of this to the
legislature and that they may en-.
act law that will define the scope
of every school and thus avoid dis.
sensions, Implications and extrava-
gances; until this is done, we can
never determine equitably the needs
of each, and after this is done there
will be no discrimination.
j believe that a lack of harmony
is creating discord, and what we
most need is mutual. definite, de-
fined system, and start all these
splendid schools hand in hand, as sis
ters in cur educational system with
a complete understanding, giving op-
portunities to every boy and girl to
be equipped in every line of en-
deavor. When this is done and the
people assured of an economic ex-
pendituce of their funds. / believe
they will consent to levy this millags
tax to carry on this great work-a
great forward step will have been
taken-a great day will dawn for
our citizenship. and program
adopted that will mark new era
for education, and our pledges to the
people redeemed
The greatest need of the state is
an educated citizenship-taxes paid
out for the development of the race
are not misapplied. Let us then with
Justice and fairness work cut this
problem of higher education to the
end that Alabama will rank with any
state in giving ample opportunities
to her sons and daughters.
EIcemosynary Institutions
The Alabama insane hospital at
Tuscaloosa is overcrCwded with in
mates; the wards of the state must
be properly cared for, and all appro-
priations made for this institution
comes out of the general fund A new
building is Just being completed and
will soon be open for occupancy.
This will call for more money, and
the state cannot be derelict in it's
duty to its wards.
Hospital for Feeble Minded
Hard by the the institution for the
insane stands a new building. The
first unit of building for the feeble
minded. This building now stands
ready for occupaney-hundreds Of ap-
plications are now on file with ahe
erintendent-and yet none can be
received until it is equipped and
maintenance fund provided. 1t is es-
timated that 10000 will be necessary
to properly equip this institution and
get II ready for occupancy. Until this
is done. the building viii stand idle,
while those seeking admission will
still wait In addition to this equip
ment a maintenance fund win be
necessary to enable the authorities 70
care for the inmates. This should
perhaps be the first appropriation
made. and made as early as possible
in order that the building may be
made to serve its purpose.