Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-11-05
DEYOE TAKES A
RAP AT LAST
LEGISLATURE
State Superintendent in Address to
Iowa Teachers This Morning
Opposes Military Training
in Public Schools.
SAYS LEGISLATURE IS LAX
Also Defends the Consolidated School
Would Have Committee Pass
Legislation.

Des Moines, Nov. 3.-State Superinz-
tendent Deyoe's address before .
Iowa State Teachers association t.
morning was one of the big featu=
of the convention. He advocs =
stirring reforms, demanded a new pa
triotism, opposed military training dn
the public schools, and took a rap at
the Thirty-seventh General Assembly
for legislation which has practically
blocked the consolidation of schools.
The superintendent said in part:
"A world safe for humanity and
democracy is the slogan of American
patriotism. Were asked to name the
supreme task in America to accomp-
lish this end, would say, "The Max
ing of American Citizenship"
Need Legislative Aid.
"F'rom an experience gained from
the last session of the Legislature in
amending our school laws, it will ap-
pear that bills are sometimes intro
duced without careful consideration.
A little cooperation on the part OF
legislators with the heads Of depart
ments might avoid many mistakes.
recommend that no bills affecting
our schools should be proposed Tor
passage without the approval OF q
committee, half of whom shall be act-
i've educators headed by the depart-
ment Of public instruction. am mot
urging thf every III sluule rf0poss6'
by the educators OF the state shall re-
ceive favorable consideration from
the general assembly. st,
The Consolidated School. "
"The following facts will refute the
argument advanced by the opponents
of consolidation, that theStowns have
been the benefciaries especially OF
the law:
Il. Number of consolidated dis
tricts prior to- April, 1913, II.
"2. Total number of consolidated
districts July 1, 1917, 235.
"3. Number of consolidated dis
tricts established in the open coun-
try, %.
"a. Number of consolidated dis
tricts, including towns of over 1000
population, 4.
IS. Number of consolidated dis
tricts, including small towns with
population over 500 but less than
1000, 80.
"6. Number of consolidated dis
tricts including small towns or VIII J,
lagos with population of less than1,
500, 173.
81. Only four towns having pc
ulation exceeding 1000 and only
towns having a population of
than 500 and less than 1000 are in
cluded in consolidated districts.
Too Much "Red Tape"
"Red tape" consisting of several
hearings including those before
boards possibly locally prejudiced for
either financial or political reasons, 4
expense in publication of
notices of hearings and elections i1
county papers which may have no
circulation in the locality interested,
possible interference on the part of
landowners, unfair tax
ing of costs, and difficulty in inter-
preting .the language of the law has
practically nullified the advancement
of the greatest movement for better
schools where most needed in the
state.
Shall military training be compul-
sorry in the public schools? If mill
tary training in the schools will build
up and eXalt militarism, l say no. If
the training is made to include the
use of firearms in order to prepare
the boys for war service, say, no.
None of the nations now at war have
compulsory military training in the
schools. Physical exercises, including
those in infantry practice, may form a
foundation for later training in army
tactics.
Need Strict Training.
Such exercises would be worth
while as a plan affording physical
culture for all and would not simply
provide training for the physically
well-fitted" as is now the custom,
Continued on page q 'eA