The Twin City star., 1913-09-12
POTENT FORCES
IN EDUCATION
Government Aids In New School
Fund System.
ECONOMY IN THE MOVEMENT

Commissioner Of Education Begins sys.
tennatie Study Of Problem by Requss'
Of Dr.. billiard Of the Jeanes and sIa.
ter Fund Board-Plan Benefits thI
General Public.
The United States bureau of educa
ton in cooperation with the Phelps
Stokes fund is now making a compre
hensive study of the private and high
er schools for colored people. This
study Is undertaken in response tt
numerous and insistent demands FOL
knowledge Of these schools, the mum
ber Of which is constantly increasing.
Thoughtful people Of the south ani
Of the north, white and colored, ar<
more and more puzzled as to the mer
its and demerits Of the many appeals
for money and sympathy in behalf OF
all sorts and conditions Of institutions
for the race. Letters from state SUD
ertntendents Of education in the south
emphasize the need Of complete sur
vey of the whole field. At a confer
ence Of the representatives Of some OF
these schools held in New York last
spring, 1t was the consensus Of opinion
that there is much duplication of edu
catiOnal efforts in some sections, but
much more Of neglect in many other
sections.
Every educational board interested
In the colored people and almost every
individual who contributes to this
cause is calling for information. After
considerable discussion Of this need by
DR.. Dillard of the Jeanes fund and the
Slater board, and by other representa-,
lives Of the conference for education
in the SOUTH" 1t was decided to appeal
to the United States commissioner of
education for thorough study Of the
private and higher schools for Afro
Americans. Commissioner Claxton's
intimate knowledge Of every phase of
education in the south enabled him to
understand the Importance of this re-
quest, and he Immediately began to
make plans for the study now under
way.
A remarkable evidence Of the impor-
tance Of this survey is the fact that
about the same time two other impor-
tant organizations interested in colored
schools decided to assemble informa-
ton on this subject. Dr. ]. H. Dillard,
secretary Of the Slater board, obtained
permission Of that body to begin the
study. 1t was at this time also that
the trustees Of the Phelps-Stokes fund,
by appeals from all sorts
and conditions of schools, decided to
make thorough survey of the situa-
hon.
As the fund is Of recent origin, a
word Of explanation may be necessary
1t this point. This Phelps Stokes fund
s the residuary estate, amounting to
about $1,OOO,OOO, bequeathed by Miss
Caroline Phelps Stokes Of New York
,ity for various philanthropic purposes,
among which is the education Of Ne
sroes. Most Of the appropriations
made up to date have contributed d.
'ectly or indirectly to clearer knowl-
edge Of colored schools. Gifts to the
Universities Of Virginia and Georgia
md to the Peabody college, in Nash
7ille, are for the maintenance Of fel-
owships and research work In the
1eld Of Negro education.
The cooperation Of the bureau of
education and the Phelps-Stokes fund
8 the result Of the close relationship
II the representatives Of the Slater
,oard, the conference for education in
he south and the trustees Of the
fund with each other
md with Commissioner Claxton.
Through this cooperation unnecessary
duplication is avoided. and time, effort
md money are saved.
The work Is done under the immedi-
tie direction Of DR.. Thomas Jesse
Zones, a native Of Wales and a nat
iralized citizen Of the United States,
Who was educated both In southern
md northern institutions and has de-
'oted a number Of years to the educa-
tonal and economic condition Of the
Negroes in the United States. His
tudies and observations, extending
'ver several years in the census bu-
eau and in the United States bureau
4 education. will be especially useful
q this study Of schools.
An exhaustive schedule Of questions
a regard to the schools has been pre-
'ared with much care and Is being
lied by DR.. Jones and those associat-
d with him, after careful Investiga-
lon Of the schools made by them.
'hese questions relate to the history
I the schools, their present condition,
heir management. their religious and
ocial activities and the work Of grad.