The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-12-14
EDUCATORS DIVIDED.
ON MERITS OF JONES'
EDUCATIONAL CLINICS'
Pierre Superintendent of Schools Defends Sex Elk
aminations by University Educator,---Dec
Case Has Been Distorted

inc educators ana people OF the places
in Which these clinics already have
done by recalling Professor Jones
time after time.
The teaching profession has Meth
er intention nor desire to encourage
physical examination other than the
very simplest of inspections, by any
one incompetent or unframed.
But we believe that'it would be
folly and an untold loss and damage
the children of the state to deny them
the services of trained specialist in
psychology and physiology in bring
ing about the detection of the physi-
cal causes which in times past have
contributed largely to thousands Of
cases of undeveloped and retarded
children both physically and mental
ly, and to the creation of thousands
of criminals and other charges upon
the state, which causes could have
been found and removed by compet-
ent investigation which is lacking.
The physicians have been of noble
service and there is no profession
more valuable, but there are thous-
ands of cases of remediable physical
defects which will never reach them
except through the teacher and the
educational clinician, and DR.. Parsons
has done the cause of school hygiene
and many helpless children an I'M
told injury by his foolish attack and
the widespread misinformation result
ing from it.
again let me repeat that the edu-
cational forces of the state stand
squarely behind Professor Jones as
evidenced by the resolutions of the
Association; Professor Jones has
done nothing except to give his time
and energy to the genuine service of
the state; and when the mistatements
exaggerations and distortions Of the
past few days disappear the injustice
and malice of the attack will be
plain to all.
TRUSTING that this will be Of ser
vice to you in getting the facts be-
fore the public ana showing the true
bearings of the matter. 1 am,
VERY truly yours,
NJ. c. Helm.
Pierre, S. D., December IL, 1916.
GilliIand Non-Commital.
In his communication, DR.. Gill;
land declares against the advisability
If anyone except an accredited ply
sician making sex examinations. He
is emphatic in disclaiming any attack
on the motives of Prof. Jones, but
urges against the Dangerous pre-
oedent'' which is made possible. His
statement follows:
ITO the Editor of The Republican:
I'm reply to your question as to
my attitude toward the dispute be-
tween Or. Parsons of Sioux Falls and
P-of Jones of the State University,
| have to state that inasmuch as l do
not have Prof. Jones' side of the
question it is impossible to make a
fair criticism. All care to state at
this time is that on general principles
the action of Prof. Jones would seem
to be unwise.
Il doubt very much the advisable
ity OF anyone except an accredited
physician making sex examinations.
| do not know Prof. Jones. From
what | have been able to learn he is
a most estimable gentleman and
am not raising any question as TO his
motives. / am sure they were the
best
Il have been told on good author
ity tnat never did he make an exam
ination of any child without the wish
Of the parents. Even so, in my judg-
ment a physician is the only one
who should be called. 1t seems to me
shat it might establish very danger
Gus prec6 dent / regret that it has
not been possible for Prof. Jones to
state his side of the case. 1t might
brow considerable light on the ques-
ton which we do not now have.
''Very truly yours,
&c. V. Gilliland.
s'Acting President"
Mitchell, S. D., December IL, 1916"