Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-29
SUPT. STONE is OPTIMISTIC
Says Vermonters Were Never
More Interested in Progress.
Conservation That IIns Retarded Edu-
cntional Methods in the state Is
about to he Overcome-super-
intendents in Conference.

The triple-plated. hammered down
ed to rctard educational methods in
Vermont is about to BIO overcome, so
Mason s. Stone. State superintendent
Of education, declared Monday MIG ut at the
opening OF the annual union super
intendcnts' conference at Queen City
Park. Vermont, he declared further.
was on the highway OF tho greatest
progress toward success that she has
over seen.
Over 40 superintendent. represent
ing as many school districts in the
state were present to attend the four
days conference to be held this week.
Although Governor Mead announced
sometime ago that ne would be unable
to be present, Frank f.. Howe Of Ben
nington, speaker Of the House Of Rep
resontatives. who was scheduled 10
make an address, was also absent.
Where he is announced Superintend-
cnt Stone. II do not know. Nor do I
know where Deputy Charles A. Pros
FER Is. Both gentlemen promised to be
here but perhaps they have lost their
way and will visit us some other time"
Rowland Thomas, an associate editor
or Golfers Weekly and author Of
The Little Gods" and Pagan" the
former q book and the latter a prize
story, was present and told a few
things of the Philippines. Mr. Thomas
was school teacher on one of the num-
erous islands there. when he became
friend Of Superintendent Stone
Although the union superintendent
came to the conference primarily for
work they are not above playing a
little. Last evening they amused them
selves with singing songs and telling
stories. wing in the later vocation
with the several representa- tlves OF
publishing houses who are here to at.
tend the conference
The meeting Monday evening was in
formal and the talks given by Super
intendent Stone and Mr.. Thomas were
moro in the way of friendly chats than
lectures.
In referring to the conservatism Of
Vermont people in educational matters
superintendent Stone said that in the
hill countries where mountains and
craggy peaks can be seen everywhere,
people were prone to be conservative
Conditions, tho speaker declared, were
improving, though the union super
intendents, school principals and
teachers. those who were doing the
field work. being indirectly responsible
The public men of the State are in
tcrcated in your work" he said. land
they are continually asking me con-
corning you."
superintendent Stone explained that
there We're several types of conserva-
tive men who had to be corrected
among them being the conservative.
obstinate one, the man who was "sot"
In his ideas, and the man who posed
Following every announcement of this
nature, however, came an optimistic
declaration that promised much for the
future educational facilities of the
state.
There was never a time in Yer
mont" he said. when the people were
interest in the spirit Of progress than
to-day. The newspapers, too. are do
ing excellent work in the education
toward progress"
Mr. Thomas who narrated of the
Philippines. is a humorist. The little
bolo men and mixed race of Malays
there appealed to him greatly. and
about them in his stories he wove
much that was pathetic as we'll as
funny. He described some of the islands
there as places where one tried to
cat soup while a lizard was swimming
about in It.
The conference will continue until
Friday, there being sessions each day
in the morning, afternoon and even
ing. All sessions will be held in the
a,1itori,Ir,