The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
TOPICS
 WERE DISCUSSED School SuperintendentS Con-
 cIuded Programme POLITICS IN SCHOOL WORK pr. Phillips Makes Address and Refers to Drawback to School System In
 Some Cities, Where Poll-
 Politics Have Sway.
POLITICS IN SCHOOL WORK

The first meeting of the Town and City Superintendents association of Alabama came to an end yesterday afternoon at 12:3O o'clock. This association which is to become a department of the Alabama Ed ucational association, was organized by twenty-five or more heads of school sys- tems in towns and cities of the state, who met in Birmingham on Monday after noon at the city hall. The second session of the association which lasted all of yes terday morning, was devoted to hearing discussions of interest to the superintend- ents in their educational work.
 Next Meeting.
 The next meeting will be held just pre- vious to the annual meeting of the Ala bama Educational association, which meeting takes place in Tuscaloosa on June IA. 15 and IS. The executive committee which is composed of Dr. J. H. Phillips, Prof. J. P. Selman and Prof D. R. Mur- phy will arrange for the meeting. The appointment of this committee was an- nounced yesterday just previous to ad- journment, by President w. E. strplin.
 A majority of tho superintendents who came to Birmingham to attend the meet ing left early this morning for Atlanta. where they go to attend the meeting of the Southern Educational association which convenes in that city tonight. Among those who made up the party go- ing from here were Dr. J. H. Phillips, superintendent of the Birmingham Pub lie schools; Prof. I. w McAdory, super- intendent of education of Jefferson coun- ty; Prof. l. w. Hill of Montgomery, state superintendent of education; Prof. Thom- as R. Walker of Vivian, Prof c. B. Glenn, superintendent of Paul Hayne school, Prof. R. A. Clayton, superintendent of the Woodlawn public schools Prof. W. D. Striplin of Gadsden and others. The meet ing in Atlanta will last all of this week.
 Yesterdays Session.
 The second session of the Town and City Superintendents' association was called to order yesterday morning about 10 o'clock by President Striplin. Absence of some of the superintendents caused the pro- gramme to be changed somewhat
 Grading and Promotion" was the first subject taken up. In the absence of Prof. H. c. Gilbert of Florence and Prof. J. D. McNeal of Talladega, who were scheduled to read papers, the president appointed Prof. c. B. Glenn to take up the subject for discussion. Prof James H. Foster of Tuscaloosa followed Pro- lessor Glenn. Both made able talks.
 Shall Elementary Course of Study Ex- tend Over Seven or Eight Years was the second subject on the programme. Prof. J. M. Dill of Bessemer was of the opin- ion that a course of elementary study should be adopted extending seven years. He thought the pupil would then be fitted to enter the high school study. A shorter or a longer term than seven years was opposed by Professor Dill. He was fol- lowed by Professor Foster, who talked for a short while.
 Dr. Phillips thought that the course of the high school should be elective. He spoke at length on the age limit for ad- mission in the schools, saying that in Ala bama the age limit was years, while in other states it was six, and in some few states five. He thought the children of Alabama should start to school at G. for the reason that many are sometimes forced to quit school at an early age. He thought inasmuch as some of the chil- dren of the state are limited from obtain ing an education for financial reasons. they should not be limited by legislation.
 pr. J. II. Phillips. Prof. H. J. Willing ham, Prof. J. P. Silman, Prof. J. II. Eos ter, Prof, I. w. Hill and Prof. T. R. Wal ker discussed the subject, "The Adapta- ton of New Text Books to Course of Study" Arguments were made both in favor and against the new text book laws of the state by the speakers The general opinion seemed to prevail, how ever that the system has not been in ex- istence long enough for intelligent critl- cism on its merits.
 Closing Address.
 By agreement the association set the hour for final adjournment at 12;30 clock The closing address was on the Duties of the Superintendent to the School Board" by Dr. Phillips. The speaker told of the plan adopted by a number of the cities in the United States in selecting a school board Tn San Fran cisco, pr. Phillips said, the membership of the school board has recently been de- creased from twenty-five to four. In Kansas City there are seven members of the school board The speaker referred to the legislative and to the executive powers of the board of education, saying that all executive power should be vested in the superintendent.
 Dr. Phillips referred to politics in the operation of school systems saying that in many cities this was a great draw back to the welfare of the schools
 After Dr. Phillips had completed his address a rising vote of thanks was ten dered him by the association for the ln- terest taken in it's organization.
 Before adjournlng the following new members were enrolled: w. G. Hix, Moundvllle; II. A. Morgan. Gate City; J. o. Sturdlvant, Blocton; w. R. Harrison, Union Springs P W. Hodges, Green vi11a. Youuq Rirrnip cham. n