The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1924-03-13
Members Grow Heated During
Discussion of Measure to In
sure Patriotic Teaching.
INVESTIGATE STATE TAXATION
Opposition to School Fund Re-AIIot-
ment Leads to Plans for Tax Equal
zation--EarIe Won over to
Senate Substitute.

bly, of the Williams bill to protect the
integrity of American histories used
in the public schools of the state In
favor of the bill rs votes were given
while the opposition mustered "a.
Every member of the House was thus
put On record, which is also unusual
If you believe America was justi-
fed in its fight for independence, you
must vote for this bill" declared Mr.
Williams just before the roll was
called. Miss Carly of Hudson was
another advocate of the bill 4.
During the earlier discussion,
Assemblyman Hurd OF Bergen re-
ferred to the bill as patriotic bunk.
The measure was special order
of business and was debated for more
than an hour. Mr.. Hershfield of Pas
sale, who was called to the chair, al
lowed the argument to continue III
spite of frequent efforts of members
to gain recognition in order to move
the previous question.
More than two-thirds Of the mem
bers participated in the debate which
at times became heated Speaker
bill. The opposition included Minority
Leader Devoe of Middlesex, Cliff of
Union, DeLorenzo and Hurd of Ber-
gen and Miss Fort of Essex.
Mr.. Williams declared the bill had
the support Of SO patriotic societies,
representing more than million peo-
pie in the state. Mr.. Williams aroused
the ire of some of the members and
they clamored forsa chance to speak
Text books in use In the public
schools of New Jersey, Mr.. Williams
declared, do not tell the truth con-
corning the Revolutionary period in
this country. He read passages from
one or two OF them to prove his asser-
ton
The bill had the backing of the
American Legion among the patriotic
organizations Time and again bitter
debate on the measure threw the
House into tumult. and once or twice
the discussion became so acrimonious
that personalities were INDUCED in,
in spite of the pounding of the Speak
er's gavel
Assemblyman Holman of Middlesex,
declared passage of the measure
would prevent historians and some
school officials. from foisting upon
school children unpatriotic text books.
He called attention to- one statement
in which the minute men of Lexington
were referred to as towards.
He evoked applause from a crowd
ed gallery when he declared that the
fate of the nation depended largely
upon what is taught it's future citizens
in the public schools.
Taxation Situation
Planning another investigation of
the taxation situation throughout
the state, Senator Whitney submitted
in his chamber a resolution calling
for the selection of a special commits
sion to survey the taxation situation
and to report to the next Legislature.
The resolution, it is understood, had
It's origin in the controversy that has
arisen over the Whitney bill provid-
ing for reapportionment of the
state school funds
The opposition to the new method
of distributing state money for edu-
cational purposes is based largely
on the fact that taxes through the
various counties are levied in ratios
that are VIGOROUSLY inequitable.
Senator Whitney had been told
frankly that he could not hope for
success for his plans until taxes are
assessed on an equal ratio in all
counties.
The joint resolution calls for the
appointment of a commission to pre-
pare bills and recommendations "de-
signed to improve the system of as
sessment and taxation and to pro-
vide for the supervision of public
expenditures, to the end that the
burden Of taxation may be moderated
and equitably distributed"
1t is recited that reports of COM
mission authorized to investigate
the taxing system in the state show
the need of changes which will en-
able it to meet modern conditions
and bring about equitable assess
ments in order that the revenues re-
CURED by the state, the counties and
the municipalities may be raised
with equality, certainty, convenience
and economy.
The burden of taxation, it is added.
has become so oppressive that meas
ures of relief are essential for the
public welfare but that the problem
of relief SIS complicated by con-
stantly increasing public expendi-
lures" and that relief from excessive
AK burdens can come only through
such changes in the system OF as
sessment, taxation and administra-
lion as experience shows to be i'm
perative and through such super
vision of public expenditures as will
restrict them from extravaganza.
The resolution proceeds to name
,mmission to make study of the
system of assessment, taxation and
of public expenditure in New Jersey