The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-01
Former Rural School Super visor Criticizes Superin-
 tendent of Education
FEAGIN ASKED FOR
 HIS RESIGNATION
State Superintendent Tells the Rural School Supervisor His Work Is Un- satisfactory-Baker Offers Will
 lingham Statement in Refutation

Montgomery, September 3o.-(SpeeialO Criticism of William F. Feagin, state su- perintendent of education, and the charge that his conceptions of certain phases of education work ''are somewhat limited tn scope" are made in A statement is- sued today by N. R. Baker, retiring rural school supervisor Professor Baker will begin his duties on October l as assistant to the county superintendent of education of Jefferson county.
 Professor Baker declared he resigned his position with the educational depart ment at the request of Superintendent Feagin. stating that when he accepted the office he was given to understand that it was not political and not subject to change by succeeding administrations" Continuing he declared: Tt is to be hoped that the superintendent is not us- ing a professional and nonpolitical office to further plans of his own devising.
 The retiring official asserts in his state ment that his fitness for the work of rural school supervisor was attested by former Superintendent Henry J. Willing ham, given upon the day of his resigna- tion of that office. and was expressed in the following language: "Ife splendid results which have attended yailr labors have surpassed my fondesr eNrectations
 Don't Know What He Wants
 Professor Baker further declares that he is of the opinion that Superintendent Feagin does not know what he wants done, having found 1t necessary to deal almost exclusively in secondhand opin- ions in his principal papers and speeches upon educational topics.
 In addition to performing lis labors as assistant to the superintendent of Jeffer- son county, Professor Baker will edit the Educational Exchange which ht has pur- chased.
 Following is his statements
 Bakers Statement
 "In justice to myself l make this simple statement of fact. l have no animosity toward the state superintendent of edu- cation. The cause is too great for bick- erings, too important for any division of forces l lave resigned my position as rural school agent at the request of Superintendent Feagin.
 '.When l accepted the position l was given to understand that it was not po- litical and rot subject to change by sue ceeding administrations. The general ed- ucation board, which furnishes the funds, desires continuity of service. It is to be hoped that the superintendent is not using professional and nonpolitical office to further plans of, hts own devising.
 ..The reasons assigned by the superin- tcndent for requesting my resignation January l, 1915, at time of year when school positions are very scare, was that l could not do the work as he wanted 1t done.
 Refers to Work
 "As to whether I could do the work is matter that should be left for others than myself to say. But the results ot the last three years, the success Of bull letin 8 on "Alabama's Country Schools, as well as that of the recent Survey of Three Alafama Counties" of which l ym co-authoi with Mir. ] l.. Sbley, and which has been so faVoraby received by the bureau of education at Washington. would seem to indicate some fitness for the work.
 "According to their written testimony l have never failed to do the work to the eminent satisfaction of the executive of- fcers of the southern education board and of the general education board Ger tainly the expressions and preferences Of those who furnish the funds. according to | all laws of equity and common politeness, | should have some We 2itt even though they may allow the work to hc directed by | the state.
 As to whether I could do the work as he wants it done l have to say that he | never indicated how he wants it done. In fact, l am not fully convinced that he knows himself how he wants it done. Having been confined to the details Of desk work for number of years is | but natural to conclude that his concep- | tions of field work are somewhat limited in scope. So far he seems to have found , 1t necessary to deal almost exclusively | in secondhand opinions in his principal papers and speeches upon educational topics.
 Unsolicited Testimonial
 "An unsolicited testimonial from for mer State Superintendent Willingham, given upon the day of his resignation among other things says: The splendid results which have attended your labors have surpassed my fondest expectations
 ''I shall no doubt find pleasure in the intensive work which the position of as-