Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-28
Unusual Interest in Annual
Convention to be Held
This Week
PROPOSED CHANGES IN LAWS
Association Will Go on Record on Rad
icaI Reforms Proposed by Special
Commission Appointed by Legislature
Some Of the Big Features of the
Weeks Program.
Special to Times Republican.

DeS MoineS, Dec 2S.-Probably the
most interesting paper to be read to
the State Teachers association, which
begins it's annual convention here to-
morrow, will be that presented by State
Superintendent John F. Riggs, for in
this he will take up discussion of the
proposed new school laws that will be
given consideration by the Thirty third
general assembly.
1t is expected that Mr. Riggs will
take up each new law to be proposed
by the Iowa school law commission and
go into an extensive discussion as to
its merits, its operation and the eX-
of the school laws gives him wide
scope for discussion, for in the COM
missions report will be advocated abol-
sishment Of school fraternities. consol-
|idation of rural schools, free transpor-
station, uniformity of text books and
Einnumerable other problems The
Eteachers are coming with much inter-
lest in this report for it will unques-
Etionably outline for them the future
school methods to a large extent in this
state. The fact that Superintendent
Riggs is in perfect accord with the ac-
tions that have been taken by the COM
mission indicates that he will champion
their proposed changes in the present
statutes.
On Changing Date.
One of the important things for con-
sideration at this meeting is the propo-
sition to change the time of holding the
convention. There are those who OBJ
ject to the dates following the holiday
season. If the dates are to be changed
| It is likely the1e will be a heated de-
bate as to what time of the year the
meeting should be held. Some maintain
it should be during the long summer
vacation period.
Hundreds Of teachers are already in
the city for the gathering and it is ex-
pected there will be fully 1000 in at
tendance at the sessions. The forenoons
and evenings are to be given over to
the general program. and the after
moons will be assigned to various de-
partments for round table programs.
Initial Session Tonight.
The, first meeting in connection with
the convention will be this evening
when the educational council meets.
State Superintendent John F. Riggs
is president Of the, council ad NJ. f..
Arey, of Cedar Falls, is secretary. The
question of "School Boards, Their
Delegations and Jurisdictions" will be
RI INV pr1,o Wi1cnn nf
Washington Pensions and Tenure of
Office of Teachers" is the subject as
signed Prof. Wilbur H. Bender, of the
state normal at Cedar Falls.
The general session begins tomor-
row morning ia the Plymouth Congre-
gational church. President Abbie S.
Abbott, Of Cedar Rapids. will deliver
her annual address, following which
DR.. William Bryon Forbush, of Detroit,
will speak on 1.-THE Boy Question"
Wednesday mornings session will be
addressed by DR.. George Martin, sec
retary of the Massachusetts board of
education; Henry Turner Bailey and
DIR. Edward Steiner, of Grinnell. In the
evening DIR. John j. Cronin, assistant
health inspector for New York city,
will speak on Medical Inspection of
Schools" Thursday John r. Riggs gives
his address and will be followed by Dr.
William Maxwell. superintendent Of
the schools in New York city on the
topic "The Use of Public School
Grounds and Buildings Outside of
School Hours" DR.. Luther Halsey Gu
lick, supervisor of physical culture In
the schools of New York city, will also
deliver an address.
For the departmental round tables
separate programs Of interest have
been prepared.
At the business meeting there is ex-
pected to be considerable rivalry over
<the election of a president for the en-
suing year.