The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-02
D|SQUE TALKS 0F
 C|TY'S SCHOOLS Finds Greatest System in
 South Here IS A FINE EXAMPLE Gadsden Man Says That Birmingham Schools Are Incentive Not Only
 to the State But to the
 Whole South
IS A FINE EXAMPLE

Judge John H. Disque of Gadsden says that Birmingham has the best public school system of any city in the south not excepting that of New Orleans. He says further that in his opinion there is none better in the west with the possi- ble exception of Chicago
 Judge Disque is unstinting in his praise of the work that has been and is now being accomplished by Superintendent J. IL Phillips
 "Dr. Phillips is being prominently men ticned in connection with the filling of vacancy in the bureau of education at Washington, but 1t would be sad day for Birmingham is he should accept the appointment" said Judge Disque yes terday.
 Watched Dr. Phillips
 q have followed the work of Dr. Phil lips and the growth of the Birmingham public school system from the time he took charge of the one city school, Powell school, to the present day, when the sys- tenn consists of 5S separate schools with total attendance of something like 25,OOO.
 '"The development of the man and his system is nothing short of marvellous. haveA been in Birmingham several days, and have taken the opportunity to visit and inspect many of the schools. Out of the s3 I have seen 30, and have made close and careful inspection of 15 While some of the buildings are yet incomplete, and others are inadequate to the grow ing needs of the several communities, the system as a whole is most commend able.
 Important Features
 "One of the most important features l find that is having a strong influence on the efficiency of the schools is the com inunity or local interest that is being brought about through the efforts of the local Improvement associations. The work of the good women in this respect is not onlY improving the sanitation and gen. eral comfort of the pupils and teachers, but ii puts the mothers in closer touch and sympathy with the teachers and the chi,dren.
 T find that through this influence the mother has a better control over the cb,idren, and through this sympathetic co-operation the teachers and officers have better control in the schools.
 The Kindergarten
 .The kindergarten is another feature that is doing great good in this city. It enables the correcting influence of so- ciety and the educational system to get hold of the wayward child in the slums and among other improper influences when that child is in the most plastic state, and turn it in the right direction This primary work saves great deal of the burden that would fall on the school teachers after the chid's habits hawe been formed and perhaps in wrong direction.
 ..The kindergarten in the suburbs and an one the better classes outside the slums does a similar work. but in different way
 '.The introduction of domestic science and manual training in the public schools of this and other cities is marking revolution in the world of education. It has the tendency to turn the mind to something useful and practical. This training of the hands to useful occupation removes the feeling of scorn for the man who has to toll and has corns in his hands. It inspires more respect for the man who carries kit of tools and wears overalls.
 Good for State
 .The tendency to apply the practical to all departments and degrees of educa- ton promises much for the state and na- ton. The state spends millions of dol lars for the free education of its chil- dren. This is done with the hope and expectation that those children being cd ucated will be equipped to return to the .t,t. ir ,,eef,l manhood and productive