Document text
Mail Tribune 100, July 11, 1919 By Alissa Corman Jul 11, 2019 01:36 PM A A The following news items were drawn from the archives of the Mail Tribune 100 years ago. July 11, 1919 SCHOOL BUDGET IS DEFEATED BY VOTE OF 4 TO 1 At Thursday afternoon’s special election on the board of education budget, which was overwhelmingly defeated several weeks ago at the special election then held, the taxpayers of Medford by practically the same majority again rejected the budget. Again the vote was light, 301 votes being cast to 280 votes cast at the last election. Only 60 votes were cast in favor of the budget while 241 votes were cast against it. On the question of increase of the tax levy to 17 mills, 233 votes were against and 60 for, eight blank votes being cast. In spite of the board’s campaign of education prior to yesterday’s election and the threat to close two of the schools unless the budget carried, the budget gained few more friends between the first election and that of yesterday. At the first election 48 votes favored the budget and there were 235 against, with six blank ballots. The result of the balloting yesterday created no general surprise, even the members of the school board were not deeply disappointed. They were loath to comment today on the election and will probably call a board meeting within the next week to face the situation and decide on some course to pursue, to keep the schools in operation as near along the lines they had planned as possible. Now that the voters have decided so decisively against the increased budget the board will have to get along with practically the same money as last year’s budget, its next move will be awaited eagerly by all residents of the city with children in the schools. If the Jackson and Roosevelt schools are closed it means that the pupils of the three remaining schools will be redistricted and that those schools, especially the High school and Washington buildings, will be badly crowded. The school enrollment is about 1,300 pupils and next year Superintendent Davenport said last night the enrollment would probably be increased to not less that 1,400. LOCAL BRIEFS Water Superintendent Davis and city employees quietly nosed around the city yesterday afternoon and last night looking for water irrigation violators, and as a result a number of citizens were notified to appear in police court to answer to charges. Some let water flow in the gutters in front of their homes, others failed to shut off the water when the fire whistle blew and others were caught using the hose on their off-day. ---------- The striking telephone operators will give a dance Saturday evening, July 12, in the Nat at Ashland. Admission $1 and war tax. News from 100 years ago