Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-28
EDUCATION IN SOUTH
Efforts of Association Formed
for That End
AMONG IlIlTERATE WHITES
Work Done Principally in the Rural
Districts.
NEEDS OF SITUATION STATED
Mrs. Martha s. Gielow, President
General of the Association, Ex-
plains the Conditions
AMONG ILLlTERATE WHITES
gEEDs OF SITUATION STATED

Tile
The measures adopted for the improve
u1ent OF the educational conditions In the
rural districts of the south, which is the
aim OF the Southern Industrial Educational
Association. are explained by Mrs. Martha
s.. Gielow- who has lectured extensively
throughout this country, England and
Canada. and who states in an In
tervIew that the association is work
ing earnestly for the success of
its mission. Most of the incorporators
of the body are educators who have made
a careful study of the existing state of af-
fairs in many sections of the south. Among
them are: DIR. w l.. Davidson, president OF
the Chautauqua Association Prof w. NJ
Hays. asststan secretary of agriculture;
Mrs. ii. c.. Hollenberg corresponding secre-
tary Of the association, who has labored
in the interest of education in Virginia. Ala
bama, Arkansas and Tennessee; Prof. w.
J. Spillman of the Department of Agricul-
ture, Mrs. Gielow, and others.
Difference in Advantages
Mrs. Gielow states that for many years
her attention was drawn to the difference
in the educational advantages OF the south
ern people and those of other sections of
the country. She says that she deeply
impressed with the vital need of uplifting
the impoverished whites and educating
them along Industrial lines. For years, she
adds she has been taking advantage of the
opportunities afforded her on the platform
to speak in the interest of this cause. and
in many instances she has appealed to the
chapters Of the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy to take up the work.
But the educa tional work done by that
organization" she continues, is principally
for the benefit of the direct descendants
of confederate veterans. The Daughters of
Georgia, however, are advancing on a broad
er line. for besides their Winnie Davis
memorial dormitory at the Normal School
at Athens Ga, they are valiantly helping
the Rabun Gap Industrial School. and. 1t is
stated. are also establishing other schools
for the illiterate whites of their state.
But u per cent of illiteracy among the
native born whites of Georgia still remains
and in spite of the great educational ad-
vancement in Alabama and the splendid ef-
forts OF our school commissioners. there IS
j per cent of illiteracy in that state among
the native-born whites over ten years OF
age. In Louisiana. too. although the state
Is making desperate efforts to improve her
educational conditions. there Is still II per
cent to reduce while the story of the pitt
full conditions in the mountains of North
Carolina Tennessee, Kentucky and virginia
is too well known to need repeating
III an organs ation such as the south
ern education board of New YORK, COM
posed mostly of northern people, can Sc
cure millions and bestow them upon the
colleges and normal schools and other in
situations for negroes throughout the coun-
try why should not an organization to Sc
cure millions for the aid of schools IN the
rural districts OF the south enlist the sup
port of all public-spirited people, luteracy
among the negroes Is gradually disappear
ing and IL is a necessity that the country
educate this vast percentage or untutored
whites If IL Is hoped to preserve the IN
tellectual status of the Anglo-Saxon ana
the domination OF white supremacy
Appeals for Cooperation.
Mrs Gielow further states that the first
thought OF the association was to send a
message TO the United Daughters of the
Confederacy as that society was among the
pioneers of the organized bodies OF women
working for the southland, to secure it's
aid In the effort to give educational adj
Vantages to the whites Of the south. The
next appeal, she says was made to the
friends OF education and humanity in all
parts of the country to the clubs and to
all bodies of patriotic women. After that
the association chose leaders to speak for
the cause and sent them out to organize
branch associations. The people of New
York. She says. have not been slow in re-
spending and adds that the New York
auxiliary, of which Mrs. Algernon Sulli-
van Is president and of which Bishop
Greer and President Findlay of the New
York College are presidents is on a firm
basis. 81 200 has already been donated
by this branch. The Alabama auxiliary
or WblCN MIS-. NllIiafn NJ. POLK Is preSi-
dent. Is also doing good work, Mrs. Gelow
states. the efforts OF this branch being spe-
cially directed to the aid of the Southern
Industrial Institute at Camp HILL Ala 1t
is proposed TO organize branches OF the
association in every state as soon as posi-
BILE. The women of Alabama are especially
interested. and are making efforts to CO.
operate with the association in its work
Scholarships Received.
Scholarships have been received by the
association from Columbia College, the Cas-
tie School at Tarry.own, New York: WASH
ington Seminary. Washington d. c.;
Kings Daughters OF Calvary Baptist
Church. New York. and from numerous pri-
vate persons interested in the work. By
these donations the association has been
able To do substantial work. The Industrial
School At Rabun Gap, Ga, is among the
Institutions, which have been aided by the
association. Rev, Mr.. Neve. who is doing
educational work In the Blue Ridge noun
taius of Virginia, has also received aid from
the association In the prosecution of his
mission. Scholarships have been sent by
the association to st. Mary's. Tennessee,
and TO industrial schools in Arkansas. Pro-
visions are being made for instruction in
seven schools under Archdeacon Henson in
Morgantown district OF North Carolina and
In other sections.
The association. although but lately or
ganized. has already 400 members and ha 8
won recognition In this country and abroad.
With the trustees and workers who COM
pose the board It Is hoped by those interest
ed that the means OF uplifting and edu-
eating the illiterate whites OF the south will
be accomplished.
Officers and Trustees
The trustees and officers of the associa-
ton are: Trustees. Right Rev Henry Y.
satterlee. Mrs. Samuel Spencer. Mrs. ].
Lowrie Bell. Col. Hilary A. Herbert. Rev.
DR. Randolph IL McKim Rev DR. w l.
Davidson. Charles G. Lancaster, Prof. w
]. SpiIlman. Gen. Adolphus w. Greedy. Dr.
Monte Griffith, Justice Seth Shepard, all OF