The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-28
FOR RURAL SCHOOLS
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ARE
 TO BE FORMED.
The WOmen Of Alabama Behind Move ment to Improve Educational Conditions-An Address tc the PeOule


 the People.
 
 The signal for improved school houses throughout Alabama was yes- terday sounded when the State Depart ment of Education. responding to the sentiments of the Committee on Edu- cation of the Alabama Federation of Women's Clubs, issued a letter to the people appealing for the organization of improvement associations In the school districts of the State
 In the letter IS set forth a general description of the unsatisfactory con- dition Of the rursi schools of the State as discovered by particular investiga- t1on or the Alabama Education Com mittee and the Southern Education Board. The movement which contem- plates district improvement associa- tons was started by the Education Committee of the Federation of Wo- mems Clubs which was appointed by solicitation of State Superintendent of Education l. w. Hill at the last meet Ing of that organization in Mobile.
 This committee several days ago held a meeting with Superintendent Hill in Montevallo and projected a plan for the proposed organizations. It was there decided to issue a call to the peo- pie or Alabama, more particularly to the women and women organizations, calling for the organization of the dis trict associations as soon as possible. The committee has completed the con- stitutfon and bylaws which will apply to all the proposed associations and copies of them will be sent to repre- sentative women in the districts of the State together with the address which states the purposes of the movement as follows:
 To the People of Alabama:
 The schoolhouses throughout the State, especially in the rural districts, are generally conceded to be in need Of improvement both in construction and in equipment for teaching.
 The Alabama Federation of wo- mems Clubs has appointed a committee whose special object will be to inau- gurate general movement for school improvement in which it hopes to interest every man and woman in the State.
 investigations made by the Ala bama Education Committee. under the auspices of the State Department of Education and with the assistance of the Southern Education Board, to- gether with those made by the Com mittee on Education of the Alabama Federation of women's Clubs In the last few years, have brought strongly before the public the deplorable fact that Alabama schoolhouss are too fre- quently unsightly, uncomfortable, and unsanitary in construction. Besides this, they are seldom adequately pro- vided with the materials and furnish ings necessary for intelligent and effect. i've teaching, such as blackboards maps. globes. pictures, reference books, desks, etc. This Is a condition that puts a premium on ignorance by making at- tendance and instruction unattractive and so difficult as to almost prohibit both.
 The State Is doing all that can be expected in the matter of appropria- tions for education and cannot in req son be required to pursue more gen. erous policy towards the schools than that which 1t has recently, in response to popular demand, adopted. It there fore remains to appeal directly to the communities immediately concerned.
 The Alabama Federation of wo- mems Clubs, feeling that the time is now ripe to address the various school districts on this subject, and actuated by an earnest desire to cooperate with the State Department of Education in US enorts to prepare the children of the State for an educated and useful citizenship. has appointed a committee to suggest to communities the forma- tion of school improvement associa- tions. The object of these associations snail be to provide better schoolhouse facilities and to advance educational interests in the districts in which each IS organized The membership of these associations Is to be drawn from the sur nd al k~ together for school betterment in their neighborhood. their own children and tnelr neighbours children to be the gamers by such improvement as may result. The Federation Committee has the hearty approval and support of the state department of Education and VIII pc furnished by this Department with plans for improved schoolhouses. free of charge.
 The committee whose members are: Mrs: Joseph D. Matlock. chairman. Eilz 'th Avenue, Birmingham: Mrs greenwood Ltgon. 43O Springfield Ave- nue, Mobile, and Mrs James L. Me Conaughy' secretary, Montevallo. is also prepared to assist in the work of or ganizing and may be freely called up- on Tor Information or for organizers.
 Communications should bs ad- dressed to the secretary"
 me constitution and bylaws, pro- Vide Tor annual meetings of the asso- citations to be held at designated pIac- es centrally located and for monthly meetings at the same places The first annual meetings Vf any orgapi- zation will be held according to the constitution on the first Thursday in 0uiy. The association shall have president first and second vice president, a secretary and treasurer. An executive committee will have the burden of the work to be accumulated as 1t Is provided that all business outlined by the association shall be carried out by the executive committee. which is to consist of the officers
 Superintendent Hill yesterday said that he had been in correspondence With the members of the committee or the Federation of women's Clubs and that satisfaction has been ex- pressed at the sentiment in favor Of this movement already aroused by the mere announcement of what was pro- posed to be done