The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-07
HIS WELCOME
III. B. Wilson, New Head of
Topeka Schools.
Commercial Club Gave Him a
Dinner.
IT WAS A HAPPY OCCASION
John Macdonald Helped Make
1t So.
Many Speeches Followed the
RepaSt.
IT WAS A HAPPY OCCASION

The dinner rendered in honor of H.
b. Wilson. the new head of the city
schools, Wednesday night by the Com
mercial club was a happy occasion.
Right along with things serious were
thrown in bits of humor that fairly con-
vulsed the fifty or sixty persons pres
ent. When it came to real fun John
Macdonald was the center Of attrac-
ton. Every time he was interrupted by
the club chorus under the leadership
of Elon S. Clark-and the Interruptions
were often-he had some comment to
make that was right to the point.
Superintendent Wilson was the main
speaker after dinner, while short talks
were made by E. L. Copeland, president
of the club. who presided, Harold t.
Chase. John Macdonald, Mrs. c. j.
Evans L. NJ. Penwell, Scott Hopkins,
and DR.. ]. E. Kirkpatrick OF Washburn
college.
The new superintendent of schools
will not prove to be of the seat warm
ing variety. He said in the course of
his address: 'T expect to spend as many
hours as possible in the school rooms
with the teachers and pupils-on the
firing line. One cannot sit in the Office
and know what IS going on In the
schools. You must not be disappointed
if you come to my Office during school
hours and find me absent.
II came to Topeka at the call of the
board of education. BY this expression
of confidence, 1 am stimulated to put
forth the best that is in me. and 1 hope
will be equal to the problem of the
community in regard to education.
With the people of Decatur looking to
me to make good in my new post and
the people of Topeka expecting it, I
have determined to succeed If it is pos
sible. However, I am human and have
many shortcomings and will make mis-
takes
1.-THE confidence manifested here to-
night is an influence to call out the
best. 1t is only natural that the peo-
pie expect the schools to be con-
cerned with children. with the i'm
parting of knowledge and with ethical
and normal training. 1t is only recently
that the schools have been recognized
as a definite business and commercial
asset. We have learned that the COM
munity can have no greater asset than
Its citizenship. 1t pays in dollars and
cents to have the school system
efficient.
1.-The board of education in bringing
me here has brought real human be-
ing who has his short comings as well
as anybody else. 1 am here at the
call of the board of education in the
interests OF the ClllQFen or topeka.
We want your sympathetic criticism
constructive criticism directed in the
interests of the children"
Mr.. Copeland complimented the board
of education on the excellent service
that has been rendered in the last year
Harold T. Chase pointed out that the
schools are expected to do more than
1t is possible for them to do. 1t con-
sidered the duty of the people to en-
courage the superintendent and man.
agement rather than to criticise
L. D. Whtttemore. former superin-
tendent of city schools, said that To-
peka is the educational center of the
state and that whatever is done in
this city is initiated over the state; that
groups of board member and teachers
come to Topeka to see how the work
Is carried on here.
L. NJ. Penwell, who served as presI-
dent of the board of education in the
year ending last Monday night, told
the business men that it is impossible
to run the schools without money.
1T is false economy to rob Peter
to pay Paul." he said and he was
referring to the bonded Indebtedness
of more than half a million dollars.
There is no use jumping on us about
high taxes. You have elected US as
members; If you don't like what We do
elect someone else. We want every
business man interested in the schools
TO visit the board and see If things
are done correctly"
Scott Hopkins compared the old and
the new educational systems He sta
ted that education does not make a
man but is one of the grandest possess
sions. He complimented the school
board for the manner in which they