subject so far reaching as this should hold no subordinate position in the Government's organization but warrants a place in the President's Cabinet.

Second. South Carolina through a State law has committed itself to a policy of equalizing educational opportunities among the counties of the State. This was accomplished through an enlightened public opinion made possible by State research work. Just such a thing would result in the Nation under the national education bill.

Third. In no field of Government endeavor is there a greater need for a clearing house of information than in the schools of the Nation. The education bill plans to meet this need and thus progressive school methods and policies will be made available to all communities while at the same time local control is clearly guaranteed to each State.

You will be interested to know that the recent State teachers' association by an overwhelming majority indorsed the bill.

STATEMENT FROM MR. C. G. ST. JOHN, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SOUTH DAKOTA

I am heartily in favor of the bill authorizing the establishment of a secretary of education in the President's Cabinet.

I believe that such a secretary would be able to give education its proper place in our national affairs.

I can see no chance for any Federal domination over the rights of the States to establish and maintain their own educational systems. The educators of the State of South Dakota are very urgent in their support of the bill as drawn.

STATEMENT FROM P. L. HARNED, STATE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, TENNESSEE

I am pleased to advise you that the Tennessee Public School Officers Association in session at Nashville, January 12-14, 1926, unanimously adopted the following resolution:

The Public School Officers Association of Tennessee, assembled in annual session in Nashville, heartily indorses the education bill (S. 291) creating a department of education and providing for a secretary of education in the President's Cabinet.

The association believes the passage of the bill is necessary in the development of an adequate system of public education in the United States; and therefore urges the Senators and Representatives in Congress from Tennessee to give this measure their influence and support.

The public-school people of Tennessee heartily indorse the education bill and I earnestly hope that it can be passed. Copies of the resolution have been furnished the Tennessee members in both the United States Senate and in the House.

STATEMENT OF S. M. N. MARRS, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,

TEXAS

I wish to give my indorsement to S. 1584 and H. R. 7, known as the education bill, now before Congress for its consideration.

A general diffusion of knowledge is essential to the perpetuity of a democracy. It is not only the solemn duty but should be the exalted privilege of the National Government to foster public education. This can best be done by giving this subject equal consideration with other functions of our Government. So long as commerce, labor, and agriculture have higher consideration than education, this important subject will occupy a subordinate place in the thoughts of our leading statesmen. I believe, therefore, that education should be placed on an equal plane with agriculture, commerce, and labor by the passage of this bill which requires the appointment of a Secretary of Education who will be a Member of the Cabinet.

I am opposed to any law that would clothe this official with executive powers such as are now exercised by the Secretary of War or the Secretary of Navy; but I can see no reason why a department of education should not be organized, in order to correlate all of the educational forces and coordinate their functions

for promotional purposes in the same manner as is now carried on by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor.

Section 10 of this bill creates a national council of education to consult and advise with the secretary of education on subjects relating to the promotion and development of education in the United States and in its possessions, Such a council would be of untold value in making contributions to the cause of public education throughout the Union. This council would emphasize the promotional

nature of the department.

I shall appreciate your careful consideration of this bill.

STATEMENT OF C. H. DEMPSEY, COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, VERMONT

I understand that a bill has already been introduced, or will soon be provided, for the creation of a department of education under the control and direction of a secretary of education. This bill is the successor to the original Sterling-Reed bill and has been modified so as to remove controversial phases and the objectionable features. The principal changes are the removal of Federal aid and the distinctly stronger provision for assuring local control of educational systems. In its new form I strongly believe that the bill ought to pass and that it would be a very great help to the promotion of desirable education in the United States. Some three years ago the original bill, with its large amount of Federal aid, was submitted to a chamber of commerce committee here in Montpelier, including, among other people, Mr. Fred A. Howland, Reverend Father Crosby, and a number of other leading citizens. This group of men, after discussing the whole bill very carefully, expressed its opinion in the form of a resolution that it would be desirable to have a department of education organized in accordance with the bill, omitting, however, the Federal aid part of it, and providing also a strong assurance of local control. The new bill seems to meet these provisions very completely.

In view of the undoubted importance of universal education for all of our institutions, and especially in view of the help that better education can give toward the solution of our vital problems, it seems to me that the promotion of education which this bill would foster should lead to the passage of the new education bill.

The addition of section 10, providing for a national council of State superintendents, is a good feature, and if the bill should pass this would give a legal standing to the existing council of State superintendents and a corresponding prestige which it does not now possess.

STATEMENT OF HARRIS HART, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION,

VIRGINIA

I am heartily in favor of the proposition to centralize all of the educational activities of the Federal Government in one department and under a secretary to be a member of the President's Cabinet. A few considerations would seem to me to point to the wisdom of this arrangement:

1. The dignity and importance of public education in a democracy would find just recognition.

2. There would be less likelihood of misconception as to the function of the Federal Government and a sovereign State in public education if the Federal activities were reduced to one department than if several of the departments of the Federal Government should continue to operate in public education.

3. A most important consideration is the increased efficiency and probable economy which would result from this arrangement.

STATEMENT OF Josephine Corliss PRESTON, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, WASHINGTON

Legislative committee county superintendents, meeting to-day passed following resolution:

Whereas United States Senate bill 291, the new education bill, will centralize education under one department and eliminate duplication. We the legislative committee of the county superintendents of the State of Washington, do hereby indorse the aforesaid bill and urge its passage.

STATEMENT OF GEORGE M. FORD, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF FREE SCHOOLS, WEST VIRGINIA

I have read the Curtis-Reed education bill very carefully. I note that the grounds upon which I made objections in the past have been removed, and I see no reason why I should not support the proposal in its present form.

I know of no constitutional or other legal provision in the statutes of the United States which would prevent a department of education, under a secretary, functioning along the lines laid down. Such a department properly organized and properly conducted could be of very great assistance to the States in investigation and research, and in providing the States with assistance of experts along all lines of educational endeavor.

I am very glad indeed to say, therefore, that I am now able to join you in your effort to secure the passage of this measure.

STATEMENT OF KATHERINE A. MORTON, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, WYOMING

National department of education will mean more rapid advance in all lines of educational achievement and more nearly perfect understanding on the part of the people of educational needs.

The provision for a national council of State superintendents representing the States, should remove the fear expressed in some quarters that the proposed Federal department of education would encroach on the rights of the States in controlling the education of their children.

STATEMENT OF ARTHUR E. LINDBORG, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS

Although the Virgin Islands are small in size, and 1,400 miles from New York Harbor, I hope that we may participate to the full in assisting to create a department of education, headed by a secretary in the President's Cabinet.

STATEMENT BY B. A. FOWLER, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, Ogden, UTAH

I was pleased to learn that the education bill known as the Curtis-Reed bill is receiving more and favorable attention by the leading educators, editors and legislators throughout the country, as it deserves to receive. Certainly we can hope for success for a measure so liberal and eminently fair to all concerned. Possibly there are still a few who try to create an artificial scare defence and would make out that it will take away the rights of the States to control and administer their own school systems. They have not become familiar with the terms of the proposed measure, if they contend this. Most of the district and city superintendents would be unalterably opposed to such a measure. notice that these officials seem to be strongly for it, as far as I can observe. That is true in Utah and other Western States, to a great extent.

But I

Again, I feel that this is a wise and beneficial piece of legislation that school men will readily indorse, because it provides for coordinating and unifying the work of the Federal Government in its efforts to give education the same national significance as commerce has, or labor or other phase of national welfare. It provides for the establishment of modern improvement procedure such as research and surveys. Methods of this kind are regularly being employed by large business concerns to the splendid advancement of such companies. The General Electric and General Motors are foremost in their fields because they spend a definite and legitimate sum each year to study and find better methods of producing their product, and to eliminate waste or duplication. Good school systems should do the same. But should every individual school system spend money in research when a great efficient central body could do this for all the thousands of school systems of the United States? Any one can see immediately the enormous saving and the great benefit it would bring to have a depart

ment of education that could set to work a well-trained corps of experts to do research and avoid duplication-and what is even more important, give us a decidedly finer and more comprehensive study for the improvement of our various schools. This feature, if no other, should commend it to all those desiring the advancement of education as one of our leading social institutions.

[Telegram from E. J. Holsinger, president, Tucson Teachers Association, Tucson, Ariz.]

Tucson Teachers' Association unanimously urges favorable action on CurtisReed education bill.

STATEMENT OF UEL W. LAMKIN, PRESIDENT, NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE, MARYVILLE, Mo.

The Congress is interested in the efficient organization and economical administration of all work undertaken by the Federal Government. The CurtisReed bill does not inaugurate a policy of Federal interest in or Federal grants to education. Scattered throughout the various departments and in independent bureaus are to be found divisions and agencies which have to do with public education. Bureaucracy is not fostered by putting all such into one department of the Government, of equal rank with other departments, under a head responsible directly to the President, but it is furthered by the continued development of many separate agencies each dealing with the same subjects, each jealous of the growth and prosperity of similar agencies, and each encroaching on other fields than their own in order that more employees may be retained and that more prestige may be secured. To group all such under a secretary who is responsible for the efficient operation of his department would make for efficiency and economy in Government service.

The Curtis-Reed bill does not give control of public education to the Federal Government. The wide range of standards maintained and the many differences in instruction, supervision, and administration which prevail throughout the country-even in educational projects which receive Federal subsidies-is evidence that the National Government does not seek control of education in the States. In instances where the Government cooperates with the States in certain phases of education the States, following certain general principles, initiate, develop, revise, and carry out their plans within their own States. These plans differ from each other as much as the need of the children of the several States differ from each other.

Public money whether spent by the State or the National Government comes from the same source. The several States are constantly making, independent of each other, investigations of the same subjects, using the same materials, and seeking the same information. One outstanding reliable agency could act for all and the cost of such research would not be multiplied by the number which represents the number of States undertaking it. But those responsible for education within the several States will not entrust their research problems to a minor bureau of the National Government, a bureau which is under supported and undermanned, regardless of the ability of the man who may be at its head. Corporations engaged in the same business join in seeking a solution of a common problem. For the Federal Government to undertake to find the facts and put its findings in the hands of responsible authorities in the several States would increase the amount and diminish the aggregate cost of educational research. Considered from the standpoint of the amount of money invested, the annual expenditure, the number of persons affected, or the ultimate effect on the country, education is by far the Nation's greatest industry. It should be represented at the council table of the President. To say that to do so would take our schools into politics is to be unmindful of experience. The chief officers of many State school systems are appointed, and rank with other executive officers of the State. Efficiency and educational leadership are essential to appointment. Such State school systems are not political machines, though such school officers have vastly more authority over local school affairs than a secretary of education would have over State matters. Those who know practical politics will agree with those who know the character of men who have been or who will be elected President in the conclusion that no person other than an outstanding figure in the field of education would ever be considered for a secretary of education.

STATEMENT Of Bridget CaULFIELD PEIXOTTO, PUBLIC-SCHOOL TEACHER, New YORK CITY

The passing of the proposed bill to create a department of education will be the most truly constructive act performed by our Congress during this century. Such a department is of utmost importance, because it will deal with the training and development of the human family. It aims, not to bring every child into the public school, but to bring the public school to every child who has not another avenue to literacy.

It aims through research and publicity to promote economical administration, to improve curricula and methodology, to establish standards for the fitting of curricula to community requirements, to broadcast to the country the findings and excellence of local experimentation.

It will thus establish economical standardization in all phases of the educational field, upon which States or communities may draw, as control or measure for the evaluating of their own achievements.

Also it should provide expert agency, to advise, upon call, on educational procedure, thus eliminating, or at least reducing the human and pecuniary waste of "hit or miss" experiment.

That work which deals with the study of and the training of the nation's citizenry deserves the dignity of a place among the departments of the National Government.

STATEMENT OF KATHERINE D. BLAKE, NEW YORK CITY

The need is imperative for a secretary of education in the Cabinet of the President, with a department at his command. At present the Federal Government is carrying on intensive scientific investigations in every field of human activity except in education. There prolonged research is well nigh impossible because of the niggardly appropriations granted to our United States Commissioner of Education, although all honor to Doctor Tigert, they are larger than ever before. He does not even have under his supervision all the sporadic efforts at education carried on by the Government. We have a Commissioner of Education who is a subordinate of the Secretary of the Interior, and must have all his acts approved by that official, who is burdened with the care of all the industries of Alaska, who is responsible if the reindeer are not properly cared for, and if the canneries are not successful, etc. Yet free education is what placed America in the front rank of the nations of the world. Is it not absurd? When will the people of America wake up to this ridiculous condition of affairs and change it? Scientists tell us that fear is the foundation of all our evil actions; that the criminal is above all, or perhaps I should say, under all a coward. United States Attorney Tuttle says "The annual cost of crime, both direct and indirect, in the United States is $10,000,000,000. If the cost could be applied to education it would build three $10,000,000 universities a day, indefinitely.' Yet we spend nothing to study how to train little children in courage. Emerson says, "He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.'

It is fear, unreasoning fear that each year prevents us from success in passing the bill adding a Secretary of Education to the Cabinet of the President with all the educational work of the Government under his care, and the ability to conduct the important research work of the Government under his care, and the ability to conduct the important research that is now carried on only by benefit of private funds. Various bogies are shown to the different interests that can be marshaled against the bill-religious prejudice, both Protestant and Catholic, political prestige, and the potent fear of those in the departments in Washington that they may lose their present jobs, or, since teachers' salaries are always low, if transferred to the care of education, their salaries may be standardized, which usually means lowered.

The business of all the teachers in this country is to make their wishes known and to show the parents of their pupils that fear is at the root of the objections, and that the objections are very unreal and foolish. When the teachers of this land present a united front the bill will become a law-and not till then.

It would be possible to pass the bill at the coming session of Congress, but the Washington office of the National Education Association can not do it unaided, though they have done herculean work thus far. It means a long pull, and a strong pull, and above all a pull all together. Let everyone who reads this approach the Congressman of the district at once, and both the Senators from the State, particularly the one who will soon need reelection. Remind your