Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-02-23
scHooL-lMPRovEMENr IN IOWA
IN FAIR WAY TO De ACCOM-.
PLIsHEp.
oARsr AND OTHER ABLE MEN
TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATION
Will Make Report to State Teachers
Association, Which in Turn Will
Recommend Legislation Personnel
Of Commission Decidedly Progress
sivs-other News Of the State.

| Des Moines, Feb. 23.-The school
improvement commission appointed by
the head of the state educational de-
partment, which met today at the
state house to organize, is primarily
quire into the needs of the schools Of
the state; and it is recognized that
the possibility Of making real advance
in school work in Iowa by and thru
this commission is very great The
commission will, if it follows the lines
marked out for it it the last state
techers' association meeting, make it's
report. to the association next Novem-
Der, and this will ultimately go to the
Legislature.
The personnel of this commission
contains eminent educators, broad
seeking farmers. 1t was carefully
picked by State Superintendent Deyoe
with view to getting the best posi-
BILE results
Garst Heads Commission.
At the head of the commission is
Governor Warren Garst, of Carroll
county, than whom no man In the
state is better fitted for such q trust.
He is better informed on general state
needs, on general legislation, on all
state affairs, than any other man in
the state, in office or out. He was a
pioneer in educational reform, the au-
thor of the bill to give the people a
right to consolidate districts, if they
desire to- do so and establish better
rural schools.
Byron w. 'Newberry, of Strawberry
Point, who served two sessions in the
state senate, proved himself to be most
thoroughly in accord with the forward
movement in American life, and by his
support Of every good measure demon
strated that he was capable of dealing
with the larger questions of public life.
He was offered place on the commits
sion before it was known he was even
considering being a candidate for state
office.
Representative Arthur Pickford, Of
Cerro Gordo county, has since his APP
pointment on the commission, an
nounced his candidacy for second
term, which he will get. He is also
staunchly progressive and will be in
position to greatly aid the passage OF
any bills looking to Improvement OF
the school work.
Prof. T. c. Thornburg. of this city
is the supervisor of grade in the Des
Moines schools and he has been county
superintendent. He Is man of much
| force and a thorough school man.
Thomas H. Barnes, Of Crawfords.
vile, is farmer. He is also a college
man and finely educated, and he taught
school for a dozen years before going
on big farm. He has been a large
factor In a good work done in Wash
ington' county in maintaining a consol-
idated school and the development OF
social centers.
John Hamill, of Britt, is a member
Of the senate, where he was a force
full and active member, and it is sup
posed he will be again candidate for
election.
Springer Old in Work.
Arthur Springer Of Wapello was a
some years ago under a provision of
the legislature, which made q thorough
investigation of the school laws and
The work Of that commission was
somewhat different from that which is
contemplated now, and while 1t was all
good, it seemed to be so far in advance
of public sentiment that only few of
its Recommendations were adopted.
I Rev. Rienon, Of Elkader. is one Of
the members who comes to the COM
mission; with recorder good work
already done. He is superintendent of
the schools there and largely thru This
own force{and industry he has brought
the schools from rather low grade up
to a. point where they are the very best
in the state for a city Of its size. ;
The others are in educational work
and in position to understand what Is
needed-Professor Stout Of Cornell
College; Professor. Colgrove Of the
State Teachers College; Professor
Woodruff, Storm Lake; Professor
Smart, Davenport: Professor Masters,
Glenwood; and Professor MCGOWAN,
Sioux City b. Murphy Of vinton is
the lone editor on the commission, and
he is one who has always taken, deep
interest in public affairs and especially
in the legislation.
Superintendent Deyoe named the
commission as one capable Of making
the investigation needed, and with suf-
ficient force to carry weight with the
people when a report is made. There
can be no doubt that the commission
will be, on the whole, decidedly pro-
gressive and in favor Of going on with
the work that Is being done in Iowa
for betterment OF the school system.
JOINT MEETING At WATERLOO.
Io~,, 4 un1bern,on's Association to Con-