The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-04
Ss|B6( TRUSTEES GIVE
STATEMENT 70 ldIE]R''s
Three Men Seeking Relelec-
ton to Beard Define
Their Attitude. ),
MANIA FOR FADS
Board Members Sane, They
Say; Medical Inspection
to Popular Vote.
Editor, aaIssoulian:

Editor, allssoulian: .,-~
Referring to the statements submit
ted for publication by the various can.
digates for School Trustee which ap-
peared In Sundays Missouiian touch
ing on matters pertaining to school
AFFAIRS It was our understanding, and
In fact we agreed when approached by
several OF the business men Of the city,
to withhold any statement until after
the city election, lest we might divert
attention from the city election, hence,
We have deferred the matter until this
finne.
There are SO Snany problems that
confront Board of School Trustees
that 1t is difficult to define any def
mite plan or course to follow as there
are continually conditions arising that
prompt action to fit each individual
case. 1t is, therefore, essential that
those who comprise Board OF
Trustees be of varied experience and
possess good sound business judge
inent.
During our term Of office the past
three years, it has been our ernest
tsic] endeavor to be as econimical
tsfcl as practicable, ever bearing in
mind the duties Of the Board to the
pupils, the teacher and the parent and
ut the same time not unmindful of the
rights of those who foot the bill, en-
deavoring to obtain one hundred cents
value for each dollar expended. In
support of this assertion we invite an
Inspection of the books which will
show that the finances of the District
were never in q better condition.
In order that the Board Of Trustees
may properly take care Of the duties
that are entrusted to them. they should
make it a point to visit the schools as
often as is possible for them to do so
for the purpose of gaining an insight
into the work that is being done and
not merely to comply with the law.
We claim not to be of an unpro-
gressive or tearing down" attitude,
neither are we possessed Of a mania
for fads or new wrinkles I'VE believe |
in keeping pace with the rest of the |
world in up-to- date, common sense
educational ideas but consider that in
this day and age Of fads those things
that are purported to be OF benefit to |
the pupil and the public in general |
should be keenly scrutinized before |
their adoption. We argue that our boys |
and girls should be taught things that |
will be of value to them when they be-
come men and women and oppose |
wasting their time on those things that |
will be Of no benefit to them in after !
years. @" |
Repair Of Buildings.
We believe that our buildings should |
be Kept in as perfect state or repair as |
is possible and to this end can show |
an expenditure of thousands Of dol |
lars for this particular item. During |
the past three years we have assisted |
in the supervision and construction of |
three new buildings and have put into |
practical use the knowledge gained in |
the construction Of each for the benc- |
fit of the people of this district.
Supervision.
We do not believe in the indiscrim- |
mate expenditure of funds for I'M
necessary supervision. A careful Sc
lection of qualified, experienced teach
ers is unauestionably a popular sub
stitute, much cheaper and results are |
inevitable. We believe our present |
force of supervisors adequate to han
die the work and their ability can not |
be disputed.
Medical inspection.
As TO medical inspection. We are
cmphatically opposed to medical in
spection as it has been conducted in |
our schools heretofore. We maintain |
that anything that is not properly ex-
ecuted is better not to have been /
started. Our experience in connection
with this identical item of expense has
proven that such an undertaking will |
cost the district a considerable sum of |
money. We believe that "a matter Of |
this kind, the proper conduct of which |
represents the expenditure of no little !
sum of money, and being n subject on
which there is such vast difference |
O1 OPINION, SNouiO De submitted TO q |
popular vote of the people and no
Board OF Education should assume the |
responsibility Of it's adoption until the |
evil results of it's absence is Isicl mani
fest to the extent that its effect is re-
Elected in the school room to- a con-
siderable proportion. From personal
point of view, If we may be privileged
to express 1t, we are not living in a
crowded Chicago" or 'New York"
where atmospheric and other health
conditions are bad and where medical
inspection may be considered an ex-
pedient In short. in our opinion. this
is one Of the things that should be
"keenly scrutinized."
Athststies. Isie]
We are in favor of athletics. We full
~ realize the Importance Of retaining
the interest of the boy or girl after
their interest in their studies begin
fsicl to wan fSic1 and we consider