The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-04-11
SAYS PEOPLE
WILLSTANDBY
US. EDUCATION
Confidence Expressed by Ed
ucator That They Will
Paw The Price
WHATCANTHEY AFFORD:
Discussed by Columbia Uni
versity Professor in
Fargo Meeting

Fargo, April II. Confidence that
people Of the nation will pay the
price of education was EXPRESSED by
Dr.. George r. Straycr, professor Of
education Of the teachers college o!
Columbia University, in an address
before the annual spring convention
Of the southeastern division Of the
North Dakota Education Association
here last night.
In answering the question: What
can We afford to spend for cduca-
ton? DR.. Thaycr said.
In any well organized school sys-
tenn, the following major results are
secured TO the community through
the maintenance Of its public school
SYSTEM:
Il. All members Of the commun-
ity through the study of English
learn to read write. spell to express
themselves in oral or written com
position and to enjoy literature.
No ono denies the importance Of
these accomplishments. No group
could long hold its place in our
country or in the world that denied
these opportunities to boys and girls
1t is important to note IN passing
that the schools are doing better
work in this field today than they
ever did before. Whatever the pop
ular opinion may be, the fact is, and
it has been proved, that children
read. write spell, speak or write in
English.
What determines the amount of
money state will spend on cduca-
toni he said The answer to this
question will help US to determine
whether or not retrenchment is in
evitahlc. The amount of money that
Il state can afford to invest in cdu-
cation depends first of all on its eco
nomic strength and vigcr. The more
that there is produced, the greater
the income of the people. the greater
investment they can make in all types
of public service. This ability the
state has to support public services
must be compared with the ability
as Indicated by private expenditures.
If the, people of the state are able to
buy the ordinary comforts and some
of the Injuries. then it is fair to
propose that they can collectively
provide such public service as they
value us highly or more highly than
those things which they get by pri-
waite expenditure.
What the state will spend depends
as we'll upon the unit Of administra-
ton, if support for education is
provided mainly from local tax rev
enuc, there will always be school
districts that will provide very mea-
which it will be possible TO make
generous provision. One of the out
standing results of the educational
finance inquiry is the conclusion that
in fairness to all, and for the sake
Of maintaining the standard of edu-
cation. II larger measure OF support
should be provided by the state
Maryland offers good example Of
the working out of this principle.
IL is provided in that state that
after Il local tax levy which is uni
form throughout the state, the state
Will provide whatever additional
money Is necessary for the main
tainance Of a standard minimum pro
gram of education. The administra-
ton of this law in Maryland is made
relatively easy by virtue of the fact
that they have organized education
in that state with the county as the
unit of administration.
The amount of money which n
state will make available for edu-
cation or for any other public ser
vice is dependent on its tax system
IT increases in taxation involve in
justice and friction, the tendency
will undoubtedly be to seek relief
by reducing taxes. If, on the other
hand, the revenue system distributes
the burden to be borne equitably
among all the people of the state, it
will be less difficult to establish for
all tax payers the wisdom of main
tanning collectively the services which
the state furnishes.
Methods of Taxation
The National Tax Assn. has pro
posed that in all Of our states the
revenue should be derived from the
following sources:
1. Every person having taxable
ability should pay personal income
tax. They have proposed as well the
exemption be made snmll-$6OO.
This small exemption will secure
some payment from the great major