The San Francisco call., 1898-03-25
Playing Marbles for K eeps Is Declared to Be
 Gam bling.
County Superintendent of Schools Garlick Is
 Pleased.
J. w. McCIynaonds Miqht Seqreqate the Gan1b CTS From the
 Others.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,

sos Broadway, March "A. Shall playing marbles for keeps be permitted by the School Department" Such is the query now being made by the more advanced educators. The spring, with kite flying and marble playing, is here and the conscientious principal is compelled to face the serious question above propounded.
 George Edgar of the Niles schools brought forth a storm of indignation when he ruled that there should be no keeps played on his grounds. In order to fortify himself he addressed one of the highest of school authorities. This is the answer he received:
 State Normal School, San Jose, Cal. March 5. You ask me whether consider playing mar pies for keeps should be permitted the tice should not be permitted First, because the boy who wins the marbles gets something because it undoubtedly cultivates a desire to indulge In games Of chance for the purpose of This Is a troublesome question: as it is so common in California, and so many persons. Quently look upon 1t being harmless.
 Children should play such games for the of skill and the pleasure of winning without
 Principal State Normal School He was not to be satisfied and ad- dressed others at the same time. Both the above and the following were fully in accord with his idea and he feels greatly pleased to know that he Is thus sustained. The question of right and wrong is forci- ply pointed out in each of these sponses, but it Is admitted that the wrong does exist.
 State Normal School, San Jose. Cal, March 5, MT. George Edgar. Niles Cal: Getting a bad effect or character. Playing marbles for keeps seems to me to be morally equivalent to gambling in stocks and buying lottery tickets things that are utterly condemned by all boys are frequently found playing marbles for keeps simply because they and the com mobisy BroPsyg, in which they live hsTe R9 the
 Vice Principal State Normal School. The County Superintendent approves of MT: Edgar's views and indorses his order forbidding the playing of marbles flor keeps hence there is no danger ahead for him in this direction. MT. Garlick' $ letter reads:
 Office of Superintendent of Public Schools. Alameda County, Cal-Oakland, March 4. 1SsS.-Mr George Edgar, Principal of the Dear MT Edgar: Yours of March 2 1898. at hand Your views and mine, on the subject of playing 3 marbles for keeps; e are in perfect school have ever taught think you are ] ]PeFeey right 10 dSaPPrqTe }P Tnrid IT, H and 1t IS
 J P GARL1cK The City Super1ntendenC or ScnOoiS was asked his opinion on this question to- day. He was not quite so outspoken as the others on the question He said:
 I would not absolutely forbid the boys to play for keeps, but I would discountenance their doing as much possible. I believe that absolutely prohibiting the game will have a tendency to the boys to practice de- ception. and this is something that should be guarded against.
 In case the craze should break out too strong ly among the boys, I might consider it ad- visable to segregate those who played for this has never been necessary.
 I consider the game of marbles one of skill though it may have a tendency to develop a gambling spirit among the boys. and for that reason I believe that 1t should be dlscounten- anced.