New-York tribune., 1909-04-15
SOUTHERN EDUCATION
MR. OGDEN'S ADDRESS.
Tells Conference What Nay Be
EGpected IN the Future.
TBy Telegraph to The Tribune J

TBy Telegraph to The Trbunel
Atlanta. April 14-The twelfth annual conference
for education in the South formally opened in
the new Auditorium here tonight. when Governor
Foke Smith delivered address of welcome and
spoke of the educational problems which faced the
nation in general and the State OF Georgia and the
South in particular. Robert c. Ogden president OF
the conference then delivered his annual address,
in which he summarized briefly the work previous
conferences had accomplished and what might be
expected of future ones
The opening of the conference dedicates Atlanta's
new auditorium which has a seating capacity OF
six thousand When Governor Smith began his
address the auditorium about quarter filled.
The Governor aroused considerable enthusiasm
when he said that he wanted to see the negroes OF
this country distributed equally in every Of
the Union. thereby making the negro problem a
national and not sectional
In referring to the increase In the manufacturing
industries in the South Mr. Smith with great
earnestness said that he had rather every fac
tory In the South closed than see the children Of
the South shut up and forced work in them.
The speaker dweIt at length the agricult
ural development of Georgia and the impetus
which agricultural education has sustained. He
was frequently interrupted by spplase
Mr.. Ogden spoke in particularly felicitous man
ner- That he we'll known his audience
apparent when he stepped out the platform to
deliver his address. He emphasized the fact that
the South not only faces the educational problems
common to every section of this country but also
has to deal with additional problems which
peculiarly its own. Applause followed his an
nouncement that the appropriations of Southern
states toward their public schools have increased
in recent years approximately sixteen millions an
nually. Mr.. Ogden also said he did not be-
Heve expansion advisable for the conference
at present.
PRESIDENT OGDENs ADDRESS.
He said in part;
Our association is called the Conference for Edu-
o%iioh %IT @ IN me south II is so tar as know. the
ogiy s Popular civic organization in the interests
~ education in the country. other sections OF
the country need It. and in the judgment of many
It should have a national character l told.
and ! think the statement is accurate, that dur
the SoUtGeTn Fzucatt9n t9sJ bs e f,crasged x1s
HnVp per annum. These ngures difficult of
yeriheati0n. but probably are greater than | have
result now much may not be subject for def
This conference has reproduced itself in many
directions. In Virginia it developed the Co-Opera-
ern EGitio R IL d. Win %nIcn tns S M
terial relation. In North Carolina the Commits
e on 5 30 h Peea eea aS Which
has brought hundreds Of school districts 10 the up
Ina Georgia Kentucky and Alabama the Women's
organizations and work have been very specially
powerful The whrlwind campaign In Kentucky at
ful and potent force in the revival Of the educa-
The Conference for Educat ton in Mississippi has
been organized especially for the promotion OF
cation IN Texas has not only supported itself thus
far hy generous contributions but has controlled
nessee by means Of meetings and Conference un-
der the guidance the chairman of the campaign
committee of the Southern Education Board has
Of organized work in Arkansas and the quiet prog
ress In Louisiana are also subjects OF great IN
This organization exists for the promotion Of
tons Of higher and lower education will simply
reflect ne popular dednaha I IN tn +sndayds deter
mine the quality of institutions. The remarkable
sPGs 6adsoP f5sads and he m General
Board. working in complete harmony 70 slaLuaIu I
throusR T panfu steps and SLOW complete real
izson . But cs te,nse1Tes w Alleged
leges which are merely preparatory S'r'o'S
PEOPLE STUDYING PROBLEM.
Able people are studying deeply into causes am and
moral defects Thus It is that the housing 9t i., our
poorer population Of living the conditions
Of rural life and the care OF dependent ana t.
deal with this situation Is ser9gsy a3d pub
I%TH Iirt3 a uS psTG Of the Interior Department
mention this subject to connect Win I anot, bI
reau Of education by the last session OF Consressd sd
The Commtssoner nTM anpronriation Forty
thousand o'ar lrect statistics and $40 600 for bet
ter oefces Congress denied all these requests save
i+h twhicb congress wisely appropriates many ny
millions Of dollars snnpas 70 for fhe beneat of
f and the absurditv of the case Is f ne
diately apparent. What "oul" " '
cbndren had votes? ,....to, y. rec-
We have been demanding that educauon, edt II, edncs
~. tho creation Of a department OF et.uca-
tJ IN the general government TIE deHfnu IN bWsj U
,l"l -. 80 t1v-as+igation and publicity OF the nIN
bureau @. ~ cbtIIren would find its easy ana nat.
cal dTeC Ice ir properly organized department OF
education. ,... -,
DR. s c Mitchell. president OF t'e -,
~, C,.o,i,o vas the last speaker OF the even
14is subject was THE American Spirit IN
s.to Tr NJ tcheII paid Mr.. Ogden trfoute
- openine his address. The speaker urged upon
-,+torrers what he claimed to be the Necessity
H.u, ~, lo,,tro, away from tradition, of thinking
,a themselves and then taking the stand "hcn
bi- consciences might dictate, regardless OF WHAT
.htr forebeers had thought or done
Final, MENDONC1 SALE.