Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-12-06


schools and academies in Hawaii of
the proposal that a federal school sur
yey be made here is indicated in
strong letter the StaruBulietin has
received from DR.. Robert Day viii
liams, president of the Mid-Pacific In
stitute.
The proposal for school survey,
first made by the College Club in a
letter TO Governor Pinkham, Superin-
tendent of Instruction Kinney and the
school commissioners, is emphatically
approved by DR.. Williams. On behalf
of the private educational institution
OF which he is the head, and which is
recognized for its efficient methods,
he indorses the survey idea in the be-
lief that Hawaii can well secure the
trained judgment of noted mainland
educators, given in the kindly and
impartial way guaranteed by the fed
eral government. He does not, of
course, speak for any other school,
but from other sources it Is said that
very probably other private school
executives have the same opinion.
His letter follows:
Honolulu, December 4, 1916.
Editor Honolulu Star Bulletin.
"Sir: May say a word in regard
to the federal survey Of schools which
is being proposed for our territorial
school system?
In the first place let me say that
l am heartily, in favor of such a sur
yey. / am sure that all those who
heard DR.. Brown of San Francisco in
her strong address before the recent
meeting of the Oahu Teachers Asso-
citation, were impressed by the fact
which she brought out so clearly that
the federal survey as conducted by
Superintendent Claxton was not in
any way mere negative criticism of
the existing school system. Mrs.
Brown made 1t very clear to us all
that the survey should be thought of
in terms of the survey of piece of
land-that is, the laying out of that
land for its future development.
"A school survey shere in Hawaii
would mean the presentation to our
people of plan for the future devel-
opment of the school systems of the
territory, but 1t also means more than
this. II means that we who are so
isolated from the direct current of
developments in modern education
would have brought to our very doors
the foremost educators of America in
their various departments, who would
leave with us their wise Judgment in
regard to the development of each de-
partment of our school systems. They
would cover everything from the mat
ter of school buildings to the question
Of the Relationship Of the public and
private schools in the islands.
DR. Brown made one suggestion in
regard to which ] wish particularly to
express my approval, namely, that If
Mr.. Claxton Is asked to make the sur
vey, he be asked to make sur
vey Of all of the schools in the terri
tory, not simply of the public school
system. AS president of the Mid-Pa-
cific Institute let me say that would
welcome such a survey for our
schools, and would consider 1t one of
the greatest privileges and opportu.
mites which could possibly be brought
to us.
Occasionally one Of our number
has the opportunity of years study
on the mainland, but even that study
of educational conditions is necessari-
ly limited by time and money, and is
apt to be quite limited to scope
What could be more fortunate than
to bring right to our very doors the
best and most expert men and women
in the educational field to advise with
US as to how we can make our insti-
buttons more efficient.
Il am sure that the board of man
ayers of Mid-Pacific Institute would
be only too glad to join with the ter
ritorial officials in an invitation to
Mr.. Claxton to make this territorial
survey.
Very truly yours,
"RoBERT DAY WILLIAMS"
Kinney Answers College Club
In lengthy letter Superintendent
Of Pubic Instruction Henrik w. Kin
ney has replied to the letter adj
dressed to him by the College Clut
in regard to the standard maintained
by the normal schools in the territory
and alleged discrimination againsi
mainland applicants for teachers pc
sitions even where such applicants
come from the higher educational in
situations.
Kinney's letter says, in summary:
Mainland and local teachers are
, paid the same and are given the
same treatment in every way. provid
ed their credentials are of equal pro
fessional value.
This years list of new teacher:
includes only 81 graduates of the Ho
nolulu normal school, as compared
with 70 graduates of mainland insti
buttons.
The graduates of the Honolulu Nor