Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-28
FULL OUTLINE OF THEIR PLANS AND PURPOSES
GIVEN THROUGH JOURNAL FOR FIRST TIME
BY JOHN S. COHEN.

uting to the national prosperity and they
argue generously but wisely that If such
is the case, as 1t undoubtedly is. there is
no reason why the south. like other sec
tions, should not share in that great pros
perity. Millions of dollars have poured
into the west for its educational facilities
In past years. Relatively, nothing has
come to the south.
DR.. Dabney, the president Of the Univer-
sity of Tennessee, has pointed out that
during the year 1900 there was contrib
uted to educational interests in this coun-
try SO 100000 and of this great total
scarcely 100000 came to the south. In
other words three per cent OF the total
gifts went to twenty-five per cent of the
population. The doctor declares that this
is hardly right. The justice Of his claim
is recognized north and south.
The National Educational Board, of
which Mr.. w. H. Baldwin, Jr., Is the
president. can be truthfully called the
nations clearing house" for gifts for ed
vocational purposes.
Mr.. Baldwin and his associates have the
ear Of every generous man Of means in
the northern and eastern states, and there
are many such.
The contribution Of 100000 yesterday
by John d. Rockefeller to the National
Educational Board is but the beginning.
Not only will new millionaires contribute
in the past donated large sums to negro
schools and universities in the south will
in the future make their contributions
through this National Educational Board
to be used for the education Of whites
and backs and in the manner suggested
by the Southern Education board.
People In the south generally have
but small conception of the amount Of
money which can be enlisted In this
great work by Mr.. Baldwin and his
confreres, but those In a position to
know say that within decade, II plans
now maturing are successfully carried
out, from forty to fifty millions of
dollars will be expended In the cause
of education for whites and blacks
throughout the southern states.
How this money is to be expended win
doubtless be definitely decided by the
it's first session To-Day. That 1t will be
spent in the most practical way none can
doubt who talk with these men from the
north and south who are giving their great
minds to the subject.
Edgar Gardner Murphy, the secretary
of the Southern Education board, ex-
presses the views of his associates tersely
For all classes of our people there has
been too much of the education that looks
toward vanity, and not enough of that ed
ucation which looks toward a common
sense, practical equipment for the actual
opportunities of life. This is the form Of
education in which we are especially in
terested. We believe in it for the white
man, and we believe in it for the negro"
The main effort of these philanthropists
will be to aid the common schools through
out the south. While they believe as
strongly as do all thoughtful people in
higher education" they know that 1t is
among the poorer classes that this money
must be expended to procure the desired
results.
Their policy has been and will be to
teach both whites and blacks how to make
a living. Normal training will be aided in
all localities.
But the communities which help
themselves will be the ones first help
ed. When GuiIford county, North Car
oIlna, raised $4,000 by local taxation
to establish normal training, these
men contributed dollar for dollar what
the people raised. This will be their
policy with other communities until
at last the whole south will be fighting
the battle against lIIiteracy.
Those who are expecting sensational
contributions to southern institutions dur
ing this conference will be disappointed.
There is nothing spectacular about these
men or their methods. They are manag-
ing this educational problem in the same
quiet, earnest thoughtful way that they
manage their own affairs. It is the ear
nest hope of every well-wisher of the
south that they will be as successful.