New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-18
MAKING A MORALS COLE
An Endeavor to Get Judgment OF
the Nation on 1t.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
cir. In comment on the letter written by
Miriam Finn Scott regarding the national
e. o0O morality codes competition let me eS-
rlain what this competition signifies:
First-It is between seventy selected per-
SON. both men and women. one at least from
each state. In most cases the appointment
has been made by the State superintendent
~ Education. Each code writer IS TO nave
advice from hundreds OF people Of Mss
ccott,s intelligence and interest. AL the sew
sn,v codes are TO be published so that any
teacher or parent who wishes to study puohc
,rinion q. to what moral ideas should be
inculcated can have reliable source OF IN
formation.
Miss Scott. az is the case with any indivId-
nal. has but her own experience on when 20
base a Judgment as to morality Sne mas
never been business man, day laborer on
the farm. young man in college father
If family Of children, politician, labor
leader or A drunkard Her opinions regard
inc morality should be taken seriously but
only for what they are worth. An associated
group of people. each having advice from
hundred, OF Others. can produce morality
hook that will assist Miss Scott to decide what
really is the "wisdom Of experience when
should be taught children.
Second Probably all that Miss Scott knows
50 well regarding the moral development OF
children is also known 10 the educators who
have control of this national $4,000 morality
codes competition. Miss Scott should have
realized this and been Influenced by susn'
c.o, that conmen sense has been used IN 'hc
rlan for this national study Of public opinion
in matter. Of morality 70 be taught children.
The specifications provide that all questions
Of method Of winning the child to believe ih
high morality shall be omitted from the
morality codes. The undertaking rs TO decide
public opinion regarding the moral ideas
which should be inculcated under and by any
method. OF course, no "codo" will make d
child respectful toward others, but everybody
knows that. Why suspect the leading edu-
Gators of the nation Of such ignorance? The
teacher who understands definitely what
moral ideas il il best TO inculcate will have
more influence for good than one who IS in
definite. which iustiiies this $4,000 study.
Third Most educators would wish to add
to Miss SCOTS code for teachers and parents
BE sincere. open minded, sympathetic and
simple" fifth command "Be intelligent
Intelligence docs not interfere with the other
four but gives them effectiveness. One who
has muddled vision Of righteousness IS
never intelligent in her or his influence for
good over children
FOURTH wish most sincerely that Miss
Scott and hundred others like her would
study the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on
the Mount, Proverbs and the prophets, the
Declaration Of independence, the biographies
of our great men and women, the laws and
ordinances, the customs and ideals Of the
nation. the personal experiences of them
selves and friends. and then write out fully
for the enlightenment Of our morality code
writers just exactly what moral ideas they
think teachers and parents ought TO incul-
cate. Be definite, be complete be intelligent.
avoid gush and mud, be clear and sure that
YOUR advice is practical for the world of boys
and girls. MILTON FAlkChlLp'
Chairman Executive Committee.
Washington, March 9, 1916.