The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-04-22
SUCCESSFUL YEAR
FOR BOARD OF TRADE
Continued from first page.

with the towns. Provisions were made
| for training school teachers and from
this step grew the doctrine that the
state has responsibility in educating
| its children. In 1892 the law of 1870
| permitting town districts to unite be-
came obligatory and the next step, the
certification of teachers, was soon fol-
lowed by that organization which we
know as the union school district, with
several towns combining to meet the ex
pense Of an efficient school superintend-
ent.
More State Authority Needed
President Thomas argued earnestly for
a larger measure of state authority in
the guidance of schools and praised the
Carnegie report for laying special stress
on this need. The equalization of OPP
portunities is the one crying need of
the time; people are not getting what
they pay for. 1t so happens in numer-
Gus instances that cities with the best
schools are enjoying the lowest tax
rates. Back in the rural localities, peo-
pie are paying heavier rates and getting
less returns for their money. In those
districts the amount of property has
tendency to diminish and the population
is going down. The state must come to
the assistance of these small towns to
the end that all may share alike in the
opportunities of education. AT this june
ture the president strongly endorsed the
report for its demand for larger meas
ure of state control in educational mat
tiers. While in his judgment, he eontin
ued, the report was unfair in some re-
spects. as for instance its criticism of
Norwich university and the medical col
lege, he believed its primary purport to
be an impartial one. eve are to deal
with the report ourselves" the speaker
declared, what we believe to be i'll APP
piled to conditions in Vermont we may
reject; we may accept that which is de-
sirable."
In espousing the proposal that CEN
trail educational board be created, the
speaker argued in favor of a highly eff
eient head of the board with competent
assistants, some of whom might travel
about in the interests of the high
schools; Others to devote their whole
time to the rural schools. There is
pressing need for better buildings, ac-
cording to the speaker, and if the state
board of health were to inspect all school
structures in Vermont, probably a ma
jority of them would be condemned.
State Aid of Private Institutions.
Commenting on that part of the re-
port which relates to higher education,
President Thomas said: There is good
deal of wholesome criticism in the re-
port that will do us good. Again, there
is much to be discounted. The report
favors the abandonment of the state aid
plan, with the alternative of using the
aid money for a central board. / do
not believe that 100000. the sum ex-
tended the colleges by the state in re-
cent years. would be necessary in operat-
ing such board. 1t could be done for
less money. much less money"
In speaking against this proposed
withdrawal of state aid. DR.. Thomas
cited many presidents whereby private
owned institutions, operated solely for
the public good, are receiving assist
ance from states and municipalities. He
attacks the logic of an argument that
would stop the state from benefitiug
institutions that have been such remark
able factors in the upbuilding of the
commonwealth. Disagreeing with the
report on another point, he asserted that
the senatorial assignment of scholarships
for colleges had been we'll made in his
experience. He offered an easy alterna-
tive if this plan does not continue to
prove popular and workable. He sup
ported the statement that Vermont is
to be alone among the states in the
Union if she withdraws state aid to
colleges. As a specific example of the |
colleges part in the development of the
state. Dr. Thomas cited Mddlebury be-
cause of his connection with that insti-
tuition and the opportunity for gaining
first-hand knowledge of its functions. !
Along with the call for specially |
equipped doctors. lawyers and profess
sional men of all classes, he said, in
closing, comes the movement for special |
" trained teachers. Vermont colleges /
are meeting that need. The necessity |
in Vermont is all too evident and it |
must be considered. In replying to spe- |
cifc statements in the report. President |
Thomas promised that for every dollar |
hr the state for education in