The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-04-13
NEW ADVISORY WAR COUNCIL OF SCHOOL
 WORKERS IS ACTIVE
Plans for Work Outlined at the First Meeting Held
 in Montgomery

The initial session of the advisory war sociational was held in Montgomery Monday. April 8, with the following mem bers present: A. F. Harman of Selma R. E. Ledbetter of Brewton, C. B. Glenn of Birmingham, w. c. Griggs of Gads- den, N. R. Baker of Birmingham, J. S. Thomas of University and Spright Dow ell of Montgomery. c. w. Daugette of Jacksonville and w. c. Blasingame of Auburn were absent, engaged in specific campaigns.
 The function of the council, which, as it's name indicates, is advisory and not executive. was declared to be as follows:
 l. To strive to articulate the work of the schools of Alabama with that of the national bureau of education.
 ?. To weld the school forces of the state into an agency for unified, inten- slve and purposeful work.
 3. To set up an agency through which worthy war activities may gain admis- sion into the schools.
 f. To cooperate with all legitimate or ganizations directed toward the winning of the war.
 5. To make the schools function eff- ciently during the extraordinary condi- tions incident to the war
 The council made survey of the ac- tivities to be undertaken by the schools and in this connection heard representa- tives of the American Red Cross, United States school garden army and similar organizations. This hearing Will be con- tinued at the next meeting of the coun- cil on April 2, at which time the repre- of other war organizations will be heard and definite announce ment made about plans for the promotion of these several activities
 One of the most significant actions or the council was the employment of q special agent for the promotion of campaign for the removal of illiteracy among men of draft age. H. G. Dow ling. who has just returned from the army. has been selected for this work and will enter upon his duties at once. Mir Bowling is especially qualified Tor this work by virtue of his experience In Shelby county, where he organized a summer campaign two years ago. lmme- diately .ioon his admission to the train ing camp. he was assigned the task of conducting classes among the illiterate men enlisted, under the direction of the Young Mems Christian association au thorties At one time he was in charge of 324 illiterate men from Alabama at Camp Pike, and throughout the entire six months he was in camp he was con tinuously employed in this kind of work. Mir Dowling's story about his experience and the serious handicap that Hitter ate men in the army must overcome ana of the eagerness they show for help when the awkwardness of their position is apparent to them. should make it en- tirely possible for those who are to go to the front very soon to respond to any opportunity that may be given them to learn to read and write. The employ ment of Mr. Bowling was made possible through the generosity of the Alabama illiteracy commission, of which ex-Gov. William D. Jeks is president.
 The council also made definite prepa- ration to provide a handbook for use in the schools of the state, this hand book to contain appropriate material for the inculc1tion of patriotism. for infor- nation about the great principles in- volved in the war, facts and suggestions about the various institutions and agen- cies for winning the war. quotations. patriotic sayings, and songs to be taught in the schools. and a biblography set ting out the sources of material that might properly be used in the schools in patriotic work.