The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-03
What Has Been Done
by COOPERATIVE Edu-
cation Association.
GOOD WORK THAT
is STATEWIDE
The Women Folks Are Doing
Very Much for Industrial
Development-E due ton
Along Very Many Lines,
and Especially Along
Industrial Lines.
By FRANK S. wooDsos.

By FRANK S. wOoDsoS.
The Cooperative Education Asso.
citation of Virginia is an institution
that probably IS not very well known
IN the State. And yet, there is not
an association or any kind OF a thing
In the state that has done moro for the
Dettermeht of the state. That il is not
Wei known is due TO the fact that the
association does not advertise Itself;
does not loot its own horn but con- \,
tents itself with doing a good work In
quiet and unostentatious way
Inc good work of the association
mas pcen brought to my atenlon be-
cause of its bearinS upon the indus
trial development of Virginia.
Well, TO start with it is an assocla-
ton largely OF good women with some
right good men sprinkled here and
there In the work, sprinkled where
they must be had. and are most needed.
The association has been at work
about eight years In Virginia, and In
that time has accomplished wonders,
and yet II has never cost the state
treasury or any county treasury a
cent.
Good Work Volunteered.
The association, as l understand II,
is q volunteer organization to back
stand the educational department of
the State and OF the Whole world. 1t
does not ask cent from the State
or from any county. 1t has expenses,
Of course; 1t could not MAINTAIN Of
ices in Richmond and ii could not send
out to the rural districts such hne
lecturerers as Mrs. l. r. Dasntell and
}. ii. Binford II there was not fund
that came from somewhere to pay tho
expenses.
This fund is supplied by the South
ern Education Society OF New York,
and supplemented by liberal cuntribu-
tons OF IL dozen or more patriotic Yir-
ginnns. nearly all OF whom live In
Richmond.
Mrs. 3. %. Munford, OF this city, who
Is always In the front rank of any
thing that is of an educational and
uplifting nature, Is the president OF
this association. and it Is likely thar
It's success SO far Is due very largely
TO her vigorous work.
Historical Facts.
Wishing to get points. l asked Mrs.
Munford for some historical data.
From her reply ! gather the following
facts:
The Cooperative Education Assoc
citation was organized on March IS
and 49, 1904. at the State Capitol, in
response to a call by Governor a. J.
Montague and Dr. Southal, then SUI
perintendent of Public Instruction.
There were present at this meeting q
number OF citizens representing the
geographical divisions, as well as the
educational interests of the State.
quote from the first public appeal Of
this association, made soon after by
Its first president, DR. S. c. Mitchell:
The purpose of the conference was
to unity educational forces, with
view TO utilizing their combined wis
dom and strength In re-enforcing tho
efforts Of the State and local school
authorities In the matter OF perfect
Ing the public school system Of yir-
ginia. Those present desired to sink
differences and to seek the Identities
among all educators,
He continues. ut is plain that the
public school Is the common centre OF
all educational agencies. 1t is the
reservoir whence all supplies ara
drawn. Upon It's efficiency. there
fore. depends not only the enlighten-
ment of tho citizen, but the culture
mon school is the heart of the educa-
tionaI system Of Virginia AS u
Indicating centre for all educa
tiona' forces the common school YIELDS
symp; thies, reccncilcs conflicting in
tcrests and imparts higher efficiency to
all forms of education"
With something like the above fo-
It's platform the Cooperative Asso-
citation has for the past decade been
doing a fine service In Virginia.
Along Industrial Lines.
The Association Is in hearty co.
operation with the general cduca
tional movement in the state In fac;.
1t is really y part OF the State edu-
Gational work, and Yet without cost to- 4
the state
The real work OF the association ia
4 10. ,t,,.l.
Of higher education, and all that kind
or thing, hut In the meantime it has
been in the past decade doing grand
work along many otncr lines.
The doctrines that are taught by
the assciciation are sanitntion. hoino
life. religion and home building, These
are the principal doctrines There
a.o other things taught and they in
cludo industrial propositions OF q
Worldwide character.
Mrs. L. n. Dashiell. who s the d.
rector general OF the League organiza-
lions tells me that III her travels In
the country she can not talk upon
more interesting sUbjec.s than corn
clubs. country san:tae:On, domestic
science and good roads
These are the things hal are being
preached and talked about by the
speakers both male and female OF tho
Cc-Operatlve Education Association.
Tie County Leagues.
The association has organized school
and civic leagues in ninety of tho
counties OF Virginia, ana these leagues
are doing u good service, III quiet way
They are raising 4 sood,v amoent os
money by volunteer eoEtribution to-
be used 10 bcauyify un9 10 make sant-
tary the school rroperticS. Juat in this
quiet way near a bout $4,000 was rails
Cd last year. and every cent OF 1t haH
been we'll expended 70 DO sood work
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