Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-09-13
BETTER SCHOOLS BOARD CALLED
TO MEET TO PREPARE
REPORT.
SPLENDID RESULTS IN
SECURING LEGISLATION
Program Of Commission Closely Fol.
lowed and Rural and Small Town
Schools Receive Crest impstus-Not
All Satisfactory, But Start in Right
Direction.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Dies Moines. Sept. 13.-Better Iowa
schools commission is still live one
and its work not all done. Hon. A. NJ.
Deyoe. superintendent of public in
struction, has called the members OF
the commission to meet in his office
Sept. Is to prepare for the report to
the Iowa State Teachers Association
which will be made Nov. 8. In making
the call for the meeting he said
The Thirty-fifth general assembly
enacted good laws. including those re-
lating TO the public schools. Motives
that actuate the politicians were elm
mated. and an honest desire to serve
the people Of the state prevailed.
To the better Iowa schools commits
sion belongs the credit OF having out
lined consistent progressive. and
practical program Of school legislation
that not only met the approval of edu-
Gators but was we'll received by the
legislature and the people in general
interested in better schools.
The splendid results obtained in
securing legislation practically in ac-
cordance with the program of the
commission. is due in large measure TO
the efforts of the special legislative
committee appointed by the State
Teachers Association: consisting Of
Warren Garst. B. w. Newberry, Ber-
nard Murphy, Arthur Springer, John
Hamill and Jerry B. Sullivan. No COM
mittee ever worked more faithfully
and cheerfully. and this, too. at a
financial sacrifice Of personal inter-
ests.
Schools Rsesivs Impetus.
"The confidence reposed In the COM
mission and in the special legislative
committee by the people and by the
Thirty-flfth general assembly has re-
suited in the cause Of the elementary
schools and the secondary schools re-
ceiving an impetus from legislation
that has never been excelled by that
Of any state which should afford great
encouragement to the State Teachers
Association. The legislation is in line
with what the association and educa-
tors of Iowa have been attempting to
secure for at least the past twenty
five years.
The interest manifested by our
governor in advocating school reforms
in harmony with the recommendations
of the commission has been q helpful
factor.
With the securing Of so much de-
sirable legislation there is danger that
the opinion may become prevalent that
everything has been accomplished that
Is possible for the hetterment of the
public schools of our state, which
would be serious mistake. Legisla-
ton without an enlightened public
sentiment back Of it will fall short of
expectations as to ultimate results.
Public sentiment favorable to better
schools has been gaining ground In
the state This movement should not
be allowed to suffer because of indif-
ference. Interest must be kept alive In
order to prevent reaction.
Some OF the school legislation is
undoubtedly entirely satisfactory.
while some may be considered simply
as a step in the right direction. To
work out and make effective our pres
ent school laws should perhaps be the
matter Of Importance during the next
few years. 1t Is even probable that
not much new legislation should he at
tempted. but 1t may be advisable to
perfect some of our present laws"
II Is expected that a report In full
will be made to the annual state
teachers association on what mas
been accomplished. and probably there
will be some direction as to the line
Of work for the future to further I'M
prove the public schools Of the state