New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-07-05
Don't Let Schools Become
Breeding Places for
Armies, lie Pleads.
STATESMAN URGES
DOCTRINE OF LOVE
Wins Favor with Women N. E. A.
Members by Strong Advo-
cacy of Suffrage Cause.


600 teachers of America, pleaded to
prevent the schools from being made
breeding places for armies"
Must we abandon our high level OF
progress, our eminent stand for inter
national arbitration, and step down TO
the brute level Of European countries
and make out Of our schools hothouses
and breeding places for armies" he
demanded of the teachers. Peace and
not war is the normal state of man;
and the teacher must insist on the
postponement of any changes until we
can escape the results OF actions taken
in hot blood or in fight.
I'VE had no suggestion Of making
military quarters OF our schools two
years ago. Let US pray that two years
hence this awful fever Of war will have
run its course and no one will ever
again suggest IT.
Asks If Nation Has Changed.
as 1t possible that this nation, that
two years ago could not be frightened
by rich nations full Of able-bodied men,
can now be frightened by bankrupt ma
tons filed with cripples?
THE people are not likely 10 favor
frontier precautions unless they are
convinced we must again face frontier
dangers. The adequate reserves asked
by one party and the ample reserves
asked by the other can be adequately
and amply supplied without rObbing
the cradle or recruiting in graded
schools. The politicians who are look
ing for votes demand this military
show. Show them that the teachers,
who are not looking for votes, cannot
be frightened into il.
81 honor the soldier, and respect him
in his place. IL Is no reflection on
the fireman that | advocate and shall
continue 10 advocate the building Of
fireproof buildings. s. III 60 on try
ing 10 protect the country from war
while | respect the soldier who is
ready to die when the need comes.
But now, when the nations Of
Europe are testing out the doctrines
of war and love, | jeseech you, as
teachers, TO throw your tremendous
influence for the ideals Of America
the doctrine of love"
Largest y. +. A. Meeting.
Bryan's appearance at the Garden
on the programme Of the National Id
ucation Association was the drawing
card fer the largest meeting OF the
association so far. and the greatest
enthusiasm that has greeted any speak
err. The crowd, which was exceedingly
polite and unresponsive during the
three speeches that preceded the ap-
pearance of the statesman, rose 20
welcome him, and applauded his pleas
for pcSce vigorously.
Bryan won the good will Of the
woman teachers when he departed from
his topic to argue the cause of woman
suffrage. Their interest and applause
led him far afield.
NEARLY all of the teachers Of the
country are women" he said. "If tho
women teachers have sense enough 10
teach the men all they know the pre-
sumption is that they have sense
enough 10 vote.
Man must think very little of him
self" he added cor very much OF the
ballot if he is willing to turn himself
over 10 the care Of woman, but Will
not intrust the ballot to her"
Others speakers last night were Ella
Flagg Young, eX-president Of the assoc
citation and one-time superintendent OF
the Chicago schools, who spoke on
"Tbe Secular Free Schools; Charles K.
Van Hise, president of the University
OF Wisconsin, whose address was on
"The Place of the State University IN
a Democracy" and John r. Kirk, presi-
dent of the State Normal School OF
Kirksville, Mo-, who spoke on The
Place Of a Normal School in the De
mocracy."
Yesterday morning there were meet
inrs al their various headquarters Of
twelve Of the smaller groups into which
the National Education Association Is
divided. They were followed by con-
cert to which all of the teachers were
invited in the hall Of the College OF
the CITY Of New York, under the d.
rection Of Frank r. Rix, director OF
music Of the public schools. Al
o'clock in the stadium of the college
bows and girls Of the elementary
schools gave a mass demonstration of
physical training and athletics, ar
ranged BY c. Ward Champion, director
Of physical training, before large au-
dience of teachers. As there was no
afternoon session in Madison Square
Garden. and only few departmental
meetings, the rest of the afternoon was
spent BY the majority Of visitors at
the beaches and amusement resorts, or
, in sightseeing.
Military Training Urged.
At the morning session OF the De
partment of Secondary Education. Dr.
willard s. Small, principal OF the
Eastern High School, of Washington
spoke on military training IN the high
schools. It's main purpose, he said,
was 70 capitalize the fundamental and
ineradicable fighting instinct and make
Of it productive educational invest,
ment. and not 20 quicken the martlai
shirt and make boys lovers OF war. lie
declared emphaticaliy that 1t should
not be a mere imitation Of the regular
army drill. but actual military training
in every sense that the term implies
The PARTICIPATION Of the boys should be
voluntary and not compulsory. Com
pe.ition between trained groups OF
equal ability, Or. Small declared
should be the basic idea, while success
should not depend on the superiority OF
selected individuals, but on the earnest
and loyal effort Of the entire group.
Social Impulse Neglected.
Edward Rynearson, principal Of the
Fifth Avenue High School. OF Pitts
burgh. addressed the meetinb on the
socia ization Of the nigh schools. Tine
high schools must assist pupils IN self
discovery" he said. while the social
life Ct the school may not be concerned
primarily with evening parties in the
school buildings or elsewhere, yet they
will not be ignored by those who APP
preciate the tremendous dynamic force
of the social impulse in the average
boy and girl. The hours outside OF
school make more loafers and criminals
than do hours Of labor"
The principal discussion at the meet
ing Of the library department was con
cerned with the necessity for the m
creased use OF Libraries IN rural dis