New-York tribune., 1912-04-04
SCHOOL WORK IN SOUTH
Robert C. Ogden Addresses Con-
ference for Education. I

Nashville April 3.-In his address AZ the
! opening of the Conference for Education In
| the South, which began It's fifteenth annual
session here to-day. President Robert @
| Ogden told how that body came into exists
! ence fifteen years ago and began to ma
! itself four years later, when Southern men
placed before II in convincing terms the
| educational destitution of communities
widely scattered over vast areas OF terri-
! tory. The conference and the Southern
Education Board evolved the same IDEAS
that the Peabody board had discovered
many years before, and by their efforts
public opinion has been created, educators
have been inspired. legislation has been
made more intelligent. taxation has been
increased. careful study has been stirnu-
lated, plans Of development have been put
into operation and the whole spirit Of the
movement has been kept In constant pros
gressive and intelligent activity.
Mr. Ogden pointed out that ono great res
suit Of the conference Is found in the CO..
ordination and close association OF several
distinct boards, each charged with specisl'
responsibilities. but all. with one exception.
concerned exclusively with the educational
welfare of the Southern people. Through
the entire group there is an interlockins OF
personalities that brings to the service OF
each the experience of all in a perfect har-
mony OF spirit that in itself alone would
justify the existence Of the conference.
1t was stated by Mr.. Ogden that during
the six years from 1904 to 1910, inclusive.
there was an increase in the taxation and
| appropriation for education of 81 .s34,5 sos In
the eleven states from Virginia to LouiA-
ana. omittng Texas. The present annual
increase Is slS,1Ss,Ss. Capable men have
been employed In all the states to espe<
cally encourage the lonely teachers In
rural elementary schools and TO supervise
and report upon this most vital feature %
common school education.
Mr.. Ogden told how numerous educs<
tional leagues have aided greatly IN the
work of the conference. Their methods
vary In the different states In several
states they aid in securing local taxation
for school purposes and in inducing volun-
tary gifts for school improvements In
North Carolina the local school taxes are
now just under 8. 10000 q year.
Concerning educational conditions in tho
South Mr.. Ogden said:
Eleven years ago at the Winston -Sslen
conference DR.. Charles William Dabneys
then president Of the University Of Ten-
nessee, now the honorcd president of the
University Of Cincinnati, made q powerfuh
presentation Of the real conditions OF illit-
eracy In these eleven Southern states. He
told the plain truth and was soundly abused
for his honesty, but the accuracy OF his
statements was never successfully chal-
lenged nor the patriotism OF his motive Inn
pugned. The work OF eleven years has
somewhat modified, but has not entirely
changed. those facts. On the objective side
the story would read like wondrous fairy
tale, on the subjective side pitiful and sad
and yet full OF encouragement and hope.
One OF the hopeful items Is the personal
uplift that has come to great numbers or
people through association with others OF
similar aspirations concerning the lack or
proper educational facilities for the plain
people Thus they entered Into the con-
scious fellowship OF the great spiritual de.
mocracy. The fellowship that 10 above ana
beyond all creeds and confessions includes
Jew and Gentle, Protestant and Catholic:
heather and Christian: that cannot nnd
any dark spot on this earth so dark that
Il does not contain an element or human
sympathy, a fellowship including all who
in the largeness OF heart have an earnest
desire to assist some fellow beings toward
better and happier life. II Is this fell
lcyship that earnestly endeavors TO WORK
out the divine idea that the kingdom should
cc me in earth as II Is In heaven.
We are here in the interest OF our COM
mon country and our common humanity ~
the command OF the little child. The num-
bier and more needy the chlld the notS
absolute Is the command.
The conference will contnu. tomorrow
and Friday.