The Umpire from Norman, Oklahoma • 3

THE UMPIRE PAGE THREE A "Mill Tax" for State Schools. An editorial appeared in the Umpire a few weeks ago advocating a "mill tax" for the support of the University of Oklahoma. This idea may appear new to some, but those acquainted with this method of support are ardent advocates of it. Eleven states, including Nebraska, Ohio, California. Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan, have adopted this advantageous method.

Supt. R. H. Wilson has expressed his approval of it, and former President A. Grant Evans advocated it at every opportunity.

Oklahoma University and. the other state educational institutions derive their sustenance from the income of their school lands and appropriations by the legislature. The income for the University from her school lands was estimated at $43.463.50 for the two years beginning July 1, 1911, and ending June 30, 1913, while the appropriation from the legislature was $300,000. This present method with its "red tape" is not only unreliable but also a source of annoyance to legislators. To adopt the "mill tax" system would relieve the.

University, in that this school would be sure of its income: and the legislators, in that the responsibility of making large appropriations would be taken off their sholders. Time would be saved from studying the different phases of the various educational appropriations and by the elimination of lobbyists for the separate appropriations. To adopt the "mill tax" system would enable the state schools to enjoy a more steady growth, because. knowing their future income, plans might be made without interruption, and long delays and uncertainties about the state appropriations avoided. At the present time necessities could not be obtained, whereas, if we had a steady income we could now have them.

Many times vital things for the good of these schools were omitted by lack of knowledge of the legislators, where if a steady revenue were coming in these would not be omitted. As the property of the state increased in value the income would be larger. These schools would automatically grow as the demands of the state required, and as the state gradually grew, the schools would be able to keep up the pace. The cost of education has caused a great deal of unfavorable comment consequently, effort has been made to reduce the cost. If the "mill tax" system were in vogue, the insignificance of the cost of education would appeal to the tax payer, and he would realize that the $1.00 on a valuation of $1,000 spent on education would increase the value of his property, and raise the standard of education.

A steady income of the state institutions would result in a more economic administration. There is always competition for the various appropriations, and where one institution is favored with a larger appropriation than another, ill feeling results. The "mill tax" would create an even growth among the state schools and would tend toward greater co-operation. This method of educational support is new. The people of the state have not given it much thought.

In order to get before the people we should advocate it in every way, because it means much to the people and education of Oklahoma. It is a good thing and favored by people who are informed. The quicker a good thing is inaugurated, the more service it will M. Logan, in University Magazine. Sample Shoe Stock at Bankrupt Prices We have purchased the Scott Sample Shoe Store at Oklahoma City, and are selling all $2.50 and $3.00 Shoes, at your choice $1.95 RUCKER'S CASH STORE South Side Main Street 1913 Let us be your "Bosom Friend" this yearNorman Steam Laundry, Arthur Williams, Mgr.

Phone 51 Prof. Dowd's Mother Dies in Virginia. Prof. Jerome Dowd was called to his old home in Virginia during the Christmas holidays on account of the death of his mother, Mrs. Lydia Bruce Dowd.

Mrs. Dowd was the widow of Clement Dowd, formerly mayor of Charlotte. She is survived by eight children, among them being Mrs. E. L.

Bryan of Memphis, Prof. Jerome Dowd of the University of Oklahoma and Willis Bruce Dowd, a prominent lawyer of New York. Miss Marguerite Wikoff visited with Miss Etta Nairn at Nowata during the holidays. Lost: A gold watch, hunting case, with University of Oklahoma fol, attached. Finder please return to registrar's office and receive reward.

DR. A. C. HIRSHFIELD Physician and Surgeon. Over Barbour's Drug Store.

C. F. TEEL Registered Optometrist Watch and Jewelry Repairing. At Barbour's Drug Store. Students Get your barber work at the Climax Shop across the street from the Opera House.

LEONARD CHISHOLM, Prop. ROBERT N. MELLOR Up-to-Date Shoe Shop. Fleming Soling Machine. Repairing neatly done.

Best leather used. West of Furray's Store. HULLUM-TAYLOR-MINTEER HARDWARE CO. Dealers in Hardware and Implements Fine line of knives. DR.

W. W. SELWAY EYE, EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SPECIALIST. Permanently Located at 225 1-2 West Main Oklahoma City. Hours, 10-12 a.

2-4 p. m. CONSULTATION AND EXAMINATION FREE. H. E.

SMYTHE The Student's Photographer JACKSON SELLS FURNITURE RIGHT "Make Him Prove It." Boyd Building. It's Easy to Look Neat When You Let Us Do Your Cleaning and Pressing Ladies' Clothes Cleaned and Pressed. Goods Called For and Delivered. JACK BOWERS Corner Webster and Apache. Phone 305.

NORMAN MOTOR CAR COMPANY Supplies, Livery, Repairing and Storage 210 West Main St. Phone 254 University Calendar a Success. The University Calendar sale was a success financially as the Y. M. C.

A. and Y. W. C. A.

cleared above all expenses about $90.00. This amount is about twenty dollars better than the sales of the calendar last year. The University has agreed to take the calendars left over after the preholiday sale and will send them out as they will make nice advertisements for the University. Sam Smith, Jennie Tolbert, and Frank Parsons, made up the committee that pushed the sales and deserve much credit for the final success of the venture. Those who have the matter in charge feel that much credit is also due Sam Crawford for the neat appearance of the souvenir.

Secretary McClelland under whose general direction the calendar was prepared, is well pleased with the results. Highsaw-Baker. Married, at Guthrie, on Christinas day, by Rev. F. M.

Alexander, James Leonard Highsaw of Memphis, Tennessee, and Miss Mattie May Baker, of Guthrie. The wedding took place at the home of the bride's mother in the presence of the immediate members of the family. Mr. Highsaw is the teacher of history and economics in the Memphis high school, and Miss Baker has been teaching in the Logan county high school. Both of the young people have been graduated from the Unive-sity and are well known in With the Right Sort of Company you won't mind this cold weather.

Have you beer keeping this company: Well, we are sorry for you if you haven't but you know we have given you the warning some time ago. If you have made us a visit and have gotten into the right kind of an overcoat vou don't mind it but if you haven't its your fault and not ours. However, we have a few left for the fellows that have neglected the matter up to this colu snap. Come in and see us right now, don't put it off another minute. We've the coats as well as the prices that make them attractive.

McCALL'S, The Overcoat Store. About Sooner Pictures. In order to correct any misunderstanding that may be made concerning the taking of Sooner pictures, because of the serious illness of Mr. Smythe, the management of the Sooner wishes to announce that the work of taking pictures will go on as usual. A photographer has been secured and the studio will be open as usual.

A. N. BOATMAN. Business Manager of Sooner..