Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1918-09-28
A Remarkable Statement Concern
ing Schools and Men
Sent to War.
Emergency Committee Has Kept
Country From Seeing
Important Needs.
CAN NOT MISTAKE PURPOSE.

Federal control of education has
been brought before the public
mind more clearly by two compare
lively recent developments, the ap-
pointment of Prof. ID. b. Waldo, OF
Kalamazoo, Mich, President of this
State Normal College, as Field
Secretary and the discussion in
some publications of the Hoke
Smith bill asking Federal aid to
education" The appointment of
President Waldo is puzzling, for the
Importance of his position and the
duties of his office can not, It
would seem, permit of giving hals
time to the work of Field Secretary
for the N. e. A. 1t Is passing
strange that an educator of his
ability should be selected to devote
''his time and attention to ques-
lions pertaining to better salaries
for teachers and increased support
for the schools" along with expert
clerks and statisticians." On the
face of the arrangement the desire
for better salaries and Increased
support" appears to outweigh even
the official duties OF the Michigan
State Normal School President.
Local and State help has been
solicited in behalf of the schools,
but the Hol1e Smith bill is to be an
instrument for the securing of Fed
eral aid to the sum of 100000
900. While for a time there was
but scant comment on this bill
noticeable in the daily press, the
last few weeks have shown that
many publications have been en-
listed in aid of the bill. But what
Is said is one-sided and misleading.
The usual arguments, that the pub
lie schools are the sole hope to
block the plans of the U. S.
Reds" and to check illiteracy,
etc., are not to the point, and for
this reason the thoughtful Ameri-
can will not accept these conten-
tions as arguments for higher
salaries. A reasonable argument,
however, is presented by Public
Service. the weekly publication Of
the Institute of Service, conducted
by william H. Allen, New York,
which says: The Federal aid to
education bill 1nat7-modified-
through II the President strongly
urges 1t, but hardly If the President
fails to mention 1t. Why should
he mention it? It's almost secret,
and it's a near secret because its
defects have been frankly criticized.
No guarantee Is given that teach
ers' salaries will be raised IL
States get 100000 Zone of the
provisions of the bill); that private
schools will not get big share of
the money Gas tuition) for better
teacher training; that Federal
millions will not be used to reduce
local taxation rather than to i'm
prove schools; that Federal aid
will not be camouflage rather than
aid. So far as our present aim is
wrong, we need frank confession
A. Emergency Commission has kept
the country from seeing the most
important needs by featuring money
plasters and new machinery"
The Omaha Bee opposes the bill
also and comments thus: 1.-THE
measure contemplates the placing
of all educational institutions under
the direction of the Federal Com
missioner. This is exactly the Ger
man system" And America very
wisely counselled that the bill, re-
ferred to the committee, should re-
main there and lie buried in peace.
Those who prize American lib
critics should urge their Senators
and Representatives in Washington
to act against any bill that brushes
freedom of education. Catholics
particularly. always eager to pre-
serve this freedom, will be inter-
ested in the opposition to such
legislation; their interest will in
crease when they realize the posi-
ton taken in the matter of the
schools by the N. e. A. We have
before us a copy of the IN. e. A.
Press Service" marked Immediate
Release" sent out from national
headquarters at Washington, taking
issue with the editor of the Satur-
day Evening Post and containing
this statement: "The schools have
been tested by this war as never
before. The men who went to the
front received their education In
the public schools. The loyalty and
success of this product is the meas
ure of efficiency Of the school"
In view of such a statement the at
titude of the N e. A. toward
private schools and the purpose OF
its propaganda can not be mistaken
c. b. Of G. v.