The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-11
Report Just Issued Shows Splendid Accomplishment
 in Short Campaign
BARE FIGURES TELL OF INTEREST AROUSED
After One Year Number of Absolute ly Ignorant Has Been Reduced Approximately 5 Per Cent.
 Feagin Is Complimented
nx FRED H. GoRMLEY

Montgomery, February 10.-(SpeciaD Coming forth more as the true story of the fairies rather than narrative of things done in Alabama in recent years, the first annual report of the Alabama illiteracy commission is oe- ing distributed through the state py William F. Feagin. state superlntenu- ent of education and secretary-treas- urer of the commission. Surface in quiries could cause one to believe the report could not be true because or the large number of statements which must be accepted as fairy stories un- til the facts in black and white and in fac simile of the original are be- fore ones eyes.
 The report is one of the most un- usual documents ever published in Alabama. It gives the story of the campaign for the eradication of illlt- eracy from the state from the time the button carrying the words, "Illit- eracy in Alabama; Let's Remove it." was adopted until the present date. It shows that approximately per cent of the illiterates disappeared after work of about one year and while the machinery was new and the organiza- tion imperfect. Mere statements are not used to carry any impression that such a thing is true-the handwriting of the adult pupils, their own thoughts expressed in their own words and by their own hands write true" beside every statement.
 UNUSUAL DOCUMENT
 The booklet is correlation of let ters, reports and specimens of work It is not the usual state document. It is intended to lend inspiration to those who have not aided in the work, to those who desire to learn to read and write and to those who hope to lend greater assistance in the future than they have in the past.
 One important declaration in the re- port which shows the scope of the work in this state follows: According to the biennial census report of 1914 (school census) there were 280, white children between the ages of 10 and 20 in Alabama, 26,259 of whom were totally illiterate. The census fig ures of 1916 showed 295,572 children of school age, of which number 25,1oe were illiterate. From these figures It will be seen that during the time which elapsed between the two re- ports illiteracy among white children had been reduced 1073, or per cent, thereby verifying the claim that the movement would do much to reduce illiteracy among the children of the state by stimulating better school interest"
 SMALL AMOUNT SPENT
 This work has been done with to- tai expenditure by the illiteracy com mission of $6S31.77. In the report is a statement of John T. German, state examiner of public accounts, showing that total collections of the commits sion have been $12,S2246 and that to- tai expenditures have been $6S3177, leaving balance in the treasury at the end of the fiscal year Septemb Der 50 of $5990.69.
 Referring to the manner of keeping the books, Examiner German said: q wish to commend MT. Feagin for the business-like way in which he handles the work of the illiteracy commission. I do not see how the records of re- ceiving and disbursing the funds of the commission could be improved Upon.'
 MT. Feagin's report went to William D. Jelks of Birmingham, chairman of the commission, who transferred it to the governor in compliance with the law which recognized the commission as state board
 J. A. THOMPSON REELECTED
  man of the board of public safety of Montgomery at the annual meeting Sat urday. MT. Thompson has been chair man since the board was created by the legislature in 1915 to have charge of the police and fire departments. Only routine business came up after the election.
 TO SEE STATE MOVIES
 Alabama's moving picture showing views gathered from all sections and fea- turing Henry B. Walthall, native Ala bama citizen, as the leading actor, has been completed and will be shown in Montgomery next Friday and Saturday. This announcement has been made by the Alabama Chamber of Commerce. The Grand theatre has been leased for those days. The Woman's college of Alabama has consented to furnish music for the first exhibitions.
 The picture is scheduled to be shown in Birmingham February 19, 20 and 21. The Birmingham Real Estate exchange will