The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1951-02-22

't'' va lStN are utllg llldue rapidly
there is time to do what we should j.
we are willing to meet the problem.
boldly and without equivocaton
There can be no hesitating There cal
be no denying of the principles in
order to avoid the consequences. We
are faced with a great practical diff.
, ficulty and a great moral and socia
obligation.
There are several serious problem,
that face the public schools of Mary
land; all will be discussed publicly
later | shall confine my comments t.
only two or three as they are Of such
serious nature
The State Department of Education
has just completed a study of the
building needs of the entire state. A
few figures will give a graphic pic
ture Of the situation:
Within the past five years the
state increased by 44,03O In 195O-5l
alone it increased 1888 over the pre-
ceding year. Including the increase
this year, the increase for seven
year period will be 1869, a figure
equal to approximately the present
enrolment in the public schools of
Baltimore City. The birth rate which
grew until 1917 and then slowed up
has now taken a sudden squirt up
ward, and no one knows just what it
will be from now on.
What has been done in the way of
buildings? Within five years about
S105,000,000 worth of school buildings
has been constructed or placed under
construction. By being prepared to
build when money was available the
school authorities of the state and
local communities ave probably
saved the taxpayers close to $20,000,-
600, as construction prices only very
recently have gone up in about that
proportion. For this foresight and
action the school fiscal authorities
should be highly commended
What do we need in the way of
buildings? The survey just completed
indicates an additional need for build
ings costing Approximately $125,000,-
900. The detailed report for every
county and Baltimore City will be
available within the next few days.
Unless these buildings are constructed
within the period of five to seven
years, we shall have thousands of our
children without school facilities. We
must face the situation without delay.
Undoubtedly, many will suggest
waiting until ''prices are stabilized"
or until prices come down as they
must" Unfortunately, these were the
same arguments given against build
ing five years ago. 1t will always be
used by those who do not wish to
build at any time. 1t is indeed fortu-
nate for the children Of the state that
such arguments did not prevail every
where in the state.
The study referred to above shows
the lack Of ability Of the counties and
Baltimore City to finance construc-
ton of these needed buildings.
The State has very wisely, in my
opinion, committed itself to assisting
the counties and Baltimore City in
paying for school construction. This
aid has been given in two ways:
through the so-called Incentive Fund
and through a state grant. Further
more, the State provided loan fund
for the same purpose. Any business
man studying the needs for the build
ings, the probable cost, and the fl
nancial burdens placed upon the real
estate in the counties and the City for
other construction and for current eX-
penses of operation will readily see
the financial inability of the local
political subdivisions to carry the
burden. They will see also the neces-
counties, Baltimore City and the State
to provide the funds. | am convinced
that the Incentive Fund should be
increased by greater state partici-
patton and that possibly a state grant
is necessary in addition in order to
provide these buildings. Furthermore,
| am convinced that there can be no
delay in taking action.
The second important problem is
one that frankly we thought we had
solved. AS a matter of face we did
solve this problem at the time and we
solved it well. But economic conditions
have so changed within the past three
OF four months that it has become a
problem again. | refer, of course, to
the salaries of teachers. We had
reached the point at which our aver
age salary was one of the highest in
the nation. But the cost of living has
risen recently higher than ever be-
fore. | might say that the problem is
more or less nation wide. Price con-
trolls are not going to solve it; prices
have been out of line with our salaries
for several months. The New York
Times in a splendid editorial Thurs
| day, January IS, 1851, in calling at
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