The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1947-02-20
Discuss School
at Round
Table Meet
Linus Carleton from State
u; w. Howell of MiSSOula
G. of c. Lead Discussion
DISCUSS TAX BILLS
BEFORE LEGISLATURE

OGA OAsG AAAOAAOA4(A Il OAAE
An awakened public interest il
the proposed school reorganization
plan for the state was shown al
the meeting sponsored by the Lib.
by Chamber of Commerce, the Sen
Tor Woman's club and the Modern
Arts club at the Junior High School
auditorium, Friday evening, Febru-
airy a. Over 100 people listened
to the panel discussion on the sub
ject, led by Linus Carleton, a dy-
manic speaker from the education
department of the State University,
and William Howell, of the Mis-
soula Chamber of Commerce, who
had recently visited the State legis-
lature at Helena and reported on
pending legislation.
Local participants in the panel
were o. L. Gillespie, Supt. of
schools and chairman of the educa-
ton committee of the Chamber of
Commerce., Calvin Kusler of the
Kootenai Teachers Association, w.
c. collars, chairman of Libby school
board, w. j. Anderson, Co. Supt
of Schools, Mrs. Arlie Thompson,
Pres. Modern Arts Club, Mrs. F. c.
Robertson, Chairman Legislative
committee of Senior Woman's Club
and Mrs. Jessie Fagerberg, former
Co. Supt. of Schools
A brass quartette from the Lib.
by schools, led by Dean Vinal, mu-
sic instructor furnished music
which was much appreciated.
Beginning the discussion Mr. Car
Teton stated that fathers and moth
eTs, taxpayers. employers and bust /
ness men and women should all be I
in the status of our |
schools which are preparing future /
to take their places in /
democracy, the success of which de-
ponds upon the judgment of the
common people, and, he said, the
illiterate person lacks the capacity
for good judgment In the United
States, he said, 100000 people over
25 years of age have never attended
school, yet the greater percentage
Of them vote, and there are 10000
300 illiterates who vote.
He stated that Montana school
,osts have doubled since 1888 be-
,ause there are more people to
youngsters are held longer
n school, a better job of education
S being done, but schools cannot
continue to operate without tea
hers. He said that $4,000 teachers
" one third of all in the United
States left the profession during
he war; that in 1894, Montana
ed all other states in teacher turn
'ver. and last year lost 900 teachers
o other states that offered more
ttractive conditions. The war also
lroved to teachers that they could .
make more money in other work,
e said. From Montana colleges
his year, only $50 graduates will
e prepared for teaching, whereas
GOO teachers will be needed next
ear in our schools.
Montana must correct ineQuali- C
les and inadequacies in education, T
e said, by enlarging school units il
nd improving our tax structure 80 p
lat burdens will be equalized, and b
efficient funds will be available to
at least a minimum foun- h
alton program for every child, F
18th adequate funds for buildings L
nd teachers salaries. n
These corrections are incorpora-
ID in the reorganization plan now y
efore our State Legislature, which c,
as drawn up by a nine-member o
appointed by Governor b
ord at the request of the 1945
legislature which saw the need o.
a complete revamping of our il
hool set-up, rather than continued t.
atching up of the old system. The y
an provides for enlarging school Il
StrictS consolidation of schools II
here practicable, and recommends a
at the state assume a larger part W
school costs with the aim of "
DIVIDING equal opportunity for ali
hool children. House bill 124
it'll proposed amendments contains
ese features. J..
Mr. Howell discussed taxation q,
lis in the legislature designed TO %
divide funds necessary to carry out
e purposes of H. B. 124 and other AZ
ate financial needs, and stated that
all passed, they would bring So g,
$1,000 into the State treasury. m
lese include gambling, slot mach 10
eS, punch board and cigarette tax II
lis, revised personal income and in
les tax bills, a severance tax bill, ri
ID others. many of which, he pro-
Iesied, would not pass. He also III
ported progress on many other fo
lis of general interest. Mr.. How te
stressed that in writing to our is
5islators concerning action on any Of
i we should always give reasons co
ny to vote a certain way, rather
an just stating to them to vote hs
s or no because we think it is 81,
good idea The discussion was -
ALLY opened to the audience which e. 81,
ough forth many pertinent ques-
ms. m
Mrs. Fagerberg, who spent part cI