now

These Institutions belong to the State and the State should amply supply funds for their maintenance and needs. The needs of these institutions are so apparent that we must meet squarely the responsibility-Unfortunately these institutions are maintained out of the General Fund of the Treasury. The sources of revenue to this fund, not otherwise appropriated by Constitutional provisions, are meager and insufficient to meet the active needs of these institutions. While the public schools have received much more revenue during the last four years (due to a constitutional provision) our Higher Institutions have not received an advance, although their demands are greater than ever before. A careful and impartial study of the situation will show that if we appropriated the whole of the General Fund to these institutions it would hardly meet their immediate needs. These institutions will never receive what they really need until they are placed in a position to receive a portion of the millage tax. I do not believe that the people of Alabama would turn down a proposition to tax themselves for the maintenance and support of these institutions. I, therefore, renew my recommendation of four years ago that a Constitutional Amendment be submitted to the people for a millage tax to be equitably divided among the University of Alabama, Auburn and Montevallo and our Normal Colleges as their needs may appear. To my mind, these institutions will never receive sufficient revenue to meet their demands, until same is fixed by the Constitution and not dependent upon annual appropriations. I believe that the people of this State are willing to support their Higher Institutions of learning. The Legislature can submit an Amendment to the people, which, if adopted, will put at rest forever the question of appropriation and fix in the Constitution a provision that will secure ample revenue for these institutions without each Legislature trying to find some way to raise funds to give these institutions a scan support-If this plan were followed and our people were advised as to our needs for these institutions, I believe the citizenship would rally-The people are willing to tax themselves if they know where their taxes are being spent.

I give warning that until a fixed revenue is worked out for our Higher Institutions of learning that they will never receive proper and adequate support for their maintenance and needs. Lets take the people into our confidence bravely and honestly and go to them with our needs and watch the unanimity with which they will respond to the State's call. In the meanwhile, some provision must be made to take care of their immediate needs. The present appropriations are insufficient and I recommend that you appoint a committee to take care of the Budget furnished by the President of each institution and as nearly as possible, and in such sums as the Treasury will stand, make these appropriations.

It might be well for this committee to call into conference the heads of each of these Institutions and ascertain their urgent needs.

I desire to state further that some of these institutions are carrying interesting bearing notes and I most earnestly urge that appropriations be made to these institutions in order to enable them to pay off this indebtedness, thereby saving the interest which is being presently paid out of the maintenance fund. cannot too strongly urge that these appropriations be made as early as possible and the debts be liquidated. This recommendation is intended to include the Agricultural School at Sylacauga, Alabama, who incurred a heavy debt in erecting a building on the campus for State purposes.

Let me say that our higher institutions of learning are doing the best work in their history and deserve your most careful consideration.

SCHOOL FOR DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND

The Industrial School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb at Talladega, Alabama, should receive our earnest and active support in order to take care for those who have lost their sight and who are unable to communicate by sound with their fellowman, these call for our heartfelt sympathy and every opportunity should be given them and their infirmities removed as far as is possible. The needs of this institution are grave. Senator Oliver will present a bill for their relief and I earnestly recommend its passage.

ALABAMA BOYS' INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL

No institution is doing more for the youth of this State than is the ALABAMA BOY'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL at East Lake, Alabama. It is making high typed men of boys whose tendency was toward crime and idleness. The Superintendent of this school and his able assistants are rendering efficient service and I cannot too highly recommend them. We must prevent crime by saving the boy before he becomes a criminal. This school is doing that. The State must not neglect its wayward youth. This school is perhaps the outstanding school of its kind in the South. I ask that you send a committee of visitation to this school to find out its needs, and if possible, supply them. I know of nothing that is more conducive to our future citizenship, than the reclaiming of the wayward boy from the environment of crime. and educating him to some honorable vocation. Let us then nurture and care for these wards of the State and thereby render a service to humanity. In this way crime can be lessened, morals

can be uplifted, homes can be made happier and communities strengthened, by caring for the wayward and outcast and training them for honest endeavor.

STATE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

The State Training School for Girls located near Birmingham, Alabama, is on my heart. It is doing a good work but not functioning as it should. The plan of its organization has not been properly worked out. It needs thoughtful investigation and a more definite plan worked out for its administration. I recommend that a special committee be appointed, to be composed of a member from each House, the Director of the Child Welfare Department, the State Health Officer, a member of the Board of Trustees and the Governor-elect, and after a careful investigation submit to you a bill for its future management, control and supervision. This school is badly in need of funds for replacing buildings recently burned and enlarging their facilities. This same Committee could work out these plans. This School appeals to us as deserving your every consideration and I commend it to you as an institution worthy of your very best thought and help.

ALABAMA SCHOOL OF TRADES AND INDUSTRIES

There is a State Educational Institution at Gadsden, Alabama, known as the Alabama School of Trades and Industries established to educate and train our white boys in their life's work in all the trades and callings which their talents and desires call for, to raise their earning power and better prepare them to share in the division of wealth of the State which properly belongs to them, and at the same time, add to the State's wealth and resources. This institution has passed the experimental stage and is doing a wonderful work.

I would recommend that the incoming Legislature provide sufficient maintenance funds and funds for buildings and equipment which will enable this institution to function in the way it was intended, as early as possible.

In view of the effiicent and patriotic work of Honorable Watt Brown, who has made this school his life work and has made sacrifice for its success, I recommend that the name of the school be changed to BROWN'S ALABAMA SCHOOL OF TRADES AND INDUSTRIES.

In conclusion let me add that during my administration all school teachers have been paid promptly and no educational appropriation has been delayed, nor have teachers been forced to discount their warrants.

SCHOOL BOOKS

Recently I authorized an investigation by the Attorney General and the State Superintendent of Education relative to the price being paid in Alabama for school books. It was ascertained that higher prices were being charged in Alabama for some school books than was charged in other States. The Alabama law contains a requirement which is intended to compel the sale of school books in Alabama at as cheap a price as the same book is sold in other States. This provision of the law states that the price is to be the same in other States "where like conditions prevail as are prevailing in this State."

Some of the publishers who are discriminating against Alabama contend that they are not violating their contract because of this particular provision inasmuch as an alleged different method of distribution of books has been agreed upon by the publishers and State Board of Education as the best method of handling such distribution, which in some minor particular probably differs from the method of distribution in States securing a cheaper price.

It is the opinion of the Attorney General that this discrimination against Alabama is in violation of the present contract and several of the book companies have met the State's contention by adjusting and lowering their prices. I have authorized suits against those publishers which have not given Alabama the benefit of the lower price. In this connection I wish to advise that the laws of the State relative to school books be modified so that there will not exist any grounds for the technical contention which is now being made by some of the book companies to maintain a higher price for books in Alabama than in some of the adjoining States. And as far as possible the constant changing of school books be eliminated. I concur in the recommendation made to you in person on this subject by my successor.

STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Perhaps the most intricate department, is that of the State Highway Department. It has been subjected to more criticism perhaps than any other, because of the difficult problems with which it has had to deal, and yet, in face of criticism and great difficulties, the Commission has done much constructive work.

In 1911 the Highway Department was organized. Its first members were R. E. Spraggins of Huntsville, John Craft of Mobile, V. B. Atkins of Selma, Dr. Eugene A. Smith of Tuscaloosa, and G. N. Mitcham from Auburn. These men have and deservedly have a high place among the leaders of thought.

The present Highway Commission is composed of Hon. Jno. A. Rogers, Chairman; Hon. L. G. Smith and Hon. R. P. Boyd, As

sociates-with Col. W. A. McCalla, Chief Engineer. These men have wrought constructively and history will write them as the pioneers in road construction in Alabama. Not one murmur of misappropriation of funds or wasteful use of money has been heard. To my mind, they should be commended for their splendid work.

Below is a resume which shows in some detail the work accomplished by this Administration and Highway Commission. During the administration just closing, twenty millions of the twenty-five million dollar Bond Issue have been authorized and sold; three millions having been sold prior to October 1st, 1922, and there yet remain to be sold two million.

I desire to enumerate as briefly as possible the results obtained by the expenditure of this fund.

Prior to October 1st, 1922, the beginning of the financial obligations of this administration, there had been completed four hundred (400) miles of road in Alabama, one hundred thirtyfive (135) miles of which were completed entirely from County funds and two hundred sixty-five (265) miles were participated in by State Funds.

On October 1st, last, there had been completed out of State funds on Federal Aid Projects one thousand two hundred fortyeight (1248) miles and on State Projects three hundred ninetyone (391), making a total of one thousand six hundred thirtynine (1639) miles, not including the one hundred thirty-five (135) miles constructed by counties making an increase in mileage completed during the four (4) year period of one thousand three hundred seventy-four (1374).

There were about four hundred (400) miles of road under construction on October 1st, 1922, and there were eight hundred (800) miles under construction on last October 1st, or an increase of four hundred (400) miles.

When the present program is completed there will have been completed in the State of Alabama, as follows:

Completed by County Funds.

Completed by State Funds..

Under construction, State Funds.

135 miles 1,639 miles 800 miles

2,574 miles

In addition to the above bids will be received on January 12th and 14th on sixteen (16) road projects aggregating 102 miles which will be placed under contract by January 17th.

The amount of funds now available, including a small amount from the old balance brought forward from the other administration in the amount of $125,284.94, and refunds from the Fed