The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1946-10-10
The Schools And The Elections

In address before the members of the Junior Chamber
of Commerce Benjamin Willis Washington County supenend
schools comprehensive and totally unbiased
port of the day situation the Washington County schools
suggested excellent longange plan remedy for the
obvious inadequacies of the present system.
The Washington County Farm Bureau last month appointed
special study the rural school situation in the
county make suggestions for the crowded
conditions in the schools.
Last Thursday night the first fall meeting of the Wash
ngton County Parents Teachers the studying of
spon long for school improvement the only
business the agenda.
So far good-but here's the rub.
the policians-the candidates for office next
months eecion-plannng to do about it2
present Maryland laws, there only
of obtaining funds for capital improvement plan:
L. By direct taxation via the county tax levy
q By a Bond issue.
Bu-and it's very big but-there law the statute
books authorizing the County Commissioners float bond issue
for capital school improvements if they favor of it,
and there law the books that directs the County
Commissioners make levy for other than the regular main
of the schools and the payment of teachers salaries
Thus be plainly that all the talk in the world about
improving Washington County Schools Except hit and
meho) possibly results unless is backed by the
elect Commissioners Delegates and State Senator
The elections just month away and yet, date
single candidate has talked anything else but generaes about
this all important subject Washington County
the inadequate overcrowded schools system the
For long the Washington School system has been
political football kicked around by both Democrats and Repb
cans and its going continue being political football until the
band together and make paramount election
stand.
And you proof that your school program being used
political football-here it is
During the l945 session of the State Legislature the Wash
County Delegation introduced and had the House
of Delegates Bill that directed the Board of County Commits
sioners aside each of the fiscal years of 1916 A. 49,
49 and So the 900 for school improvement purposes
That Bill passed in the House of Delegates, sound
of legislation and had been enacted law passed.
would have provided of half million dollars for school
during the five regardless of which Party
wins out in months elections Not large be
but large enough improved school really started
But it became a law and here's why.
When the BILL the House. reached the State Senate
Senator Allen Myers amended the Bill in such that be-
another of cutterng the books
and not worth the it printed
The amendments offered by Senator Myers and by the
To strike the word direct and substitute author
ize and empower.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars and
substitute exceed hundred thousand dollars
In other words the original bill made it mandatory for what
Board of County Commissioners office during the
FIVE whereas the bill amended by Senator Myers simply
authorized the Commissioners, they felt disposed aside
they wanted long did exceed 100000
they didn't feel like it, they didn't have single
penny other than the levy required by law for school
maintenance and salaries.
And what happened Senator Myers amendments when the
Bill back the House of Degatesa Bill that original
form passed unanimously? Just this.
Delegates Ankeney Bloom Zeger and Hozape voted
the Myers amendments with only Delegates Newcomer and
Tenney casting their the amendments that the
teeth of the bill and made worthless scrap of paper
The pulled together putting the touchdown but
only left hold the line while attempt
being made with the result that the political football
better schoos-issed the uprghts and the game