Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-08
EDUCATORS TO FIGHT
Unusual Interest in Election Of
National Association.
ONE CUSTER is DESIRED
Attempt Will Be Made to Remove
Secretary Shepard.
FIRST SESSIONS HELD TODAY
Several Prominent Men on Program
Scheduled to Begin This Aft
ernoon in Chicago.
ONE CUSTER IS DESIRED
IRsT SESSIONS HELD TODAY

CHICAGO. July S.-Several thousand
delegates and members Of the National
Education Association had reached Chi
cago today prepared for the opening ses-
sion Of the f1ftieth annual convention,
which was scheduled at the Auditorium
Theater for 2:3O o'clock this afternoon.
Unusual interest was taken by the
delegates during the hours previous to
the opening of the convention in several
matters of Importance, notably the cleo
ton of the new president and the fight
to be made for the removal of Secretary
Irwin Shepard, who two years ago was
elected at Boston for a four-year term.
At midnight caucus progressive dele
gates decided to present the name Of E.
T. Fairchild, state superintendent OF pub
lie instruction OF Kansas, to make the
race for president against Miss Grace 8.
Strachan, president Of the Interborough
Woman Teachers Association Of New
York City.
Judson to Preside.
President Harry Pratt Judson of the
University of Chicago was scheduled to
preside at the first session. Dean Walter
T. Sumner of S. Peter and Paul Epis-
copal Cathedral was expected to offer the
opening prayer. Francis Blair, Illinois
state president of public instruction. and
Harry Wheeler. president Of the Chamber
of Commerce Of the United States OF
America. were on the program for ad-
dresses of welcome. The addresses were
to be followed by the introduction Of Car
roll D. Pearse of Milwaukee,. president Of
the association, who was scheduled to de-
liver his address after the response to adj
~
Thomas H. Harris, state superintendent
of education, Baton Rouge. La.
Others on Program.
Thomas W. Bicknell. Providence. R. l.:
Jacques w. Roadway. Mount Vernon, N.
Y; James NJ. Greenwood, superintendent
Of schools. Kansas City. Mo-. and Ellen
C. Sabin, president Of the Milwaukee,
Downer College, Milwaukee. were to
speak on subjects relative to the half
century mark in the life Of the organize
ton. These were to conclude the set pro-
gram for the afternoon and the appoint
ment Of the committee on resolutions was
to follow.
School Must DO It's Part.
Speaking before the department Of
school administration, Edwin g. Cooley,
former superintendent OF Chicago schools.
analyzed the conditions that make it nee
essary for boys and girls to leave school
at an early age. and insisted that the
school must do its part as a public in
stitution in the elevation Of society.
|. "A fundamental defect. in our present
system results from our custom OF -termi-
mating compulsory school education at
fourteen years. Every one will admit that
this is too early" said Mr.. Cooley. lat
fourteen our boys and girls most need guild
ance and instruction. They leave the public
schools just at the time when character
building really begins, and just when
they should be the objects Of special at
tention.
Chance Of Generalization.
1.-THE great cities and the great in
dustries now take the youth almost i'm
mediately after the completion Of the ele-
mentary school period. It is clear that
great Generalization will take place if
the care Of society and the state does not
take the place formerly occupied by the
home, the parents or the master in the
trades"
In an annual report before the direc-
tors OF the association, President Carroll q.
Pearse of the National Education Asso-
citation pointed out that the policy of dis
couraging active memberships in the as
ISOLATION was wrong policy and added
that ACQUIRING active membership in the
association was considered almost as SOL
emn a ceremony as the sacrament Of
marriage"
Attack on Shepard.
The report was regarded as an attack
on Irwin Shepard, the secretary, al
though no names were mentioned in the
report. President Pearse criticised
table prepared by Secretary Shepard
showing the additional members acquired
since 1895. and declared that conclusions
drawn from these tables by the secre-
tary should not go unchallenged. He
also questioned the propriety Of the Sec
rotary in publishing such tables without
the sanction Of the board.
The report Of the president is not
usually made so early in the session. and
was q distinct surprise to the friends Of
Mr.. Shepard.
Mr.. Pearse reviewed the finances Of
the institution. and declared that ac-
countants had reported the accounts cor
rect and all receipts accounted for. He
commented on what he termed q lack Of
system and made suggestions Of some
changes.
Membership Controversy.
On the membership controversy Presi-
dent Taft said, in part:
SASoAh sAO PoCS SwV yCoAS q AloI A0O
charge has been observed In the atti-
tude of some of the officers OF the as
ISOLATION toward the addition of names
to the active membership list. It is re-
ported on excellent authority that per-
sons Offering to become active mem
bers have been discouraged from doing
SO: the solemn nature OF the act has
been presented to them in strong
terms; 1t has been explained that only
persons who expected to remain per-
manently as members of the associa-
ton were expected to become active
members; that practically all the i'm
pOrtant privileges of membership
could be enjoyed by associate men,
bers.
There should. however. be a resto-
ration of the spirit OF cooperation on
the part of all officers with those who
desire to enroll as active members.
Supporters Of the progressive move
ment won the first fight at the opening
Of the convention.
The board Of directors. representing
schools in every state in the country,
voted to change from summer to winter
the time for the annual meetings Of the
national council Of education. move
ment also was started to change to Q
date In the winter the time for holding
the full sessions Of the association.
vote showed the so-called progress
sives'' In favor OF the change, and the ma
tional council was ordered hereafter to
meet in the winter.
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