Baxter Springs news., 1919-05-30
NO TI)BACG0 FOR
SCHOOL TEACHERS
State Superintendent win Re.
woke CertiIicates Where Com
plants Are 'Substhntiated
Many Approve

from Kansas teachers and parents,
plans to follow up her opening broad
side against the use Of tobacco by
Kansas teachers by definite action in
having certificates revoked in cases
where complaints Of smoking are
proven.
Miss Wooster told yesterday Of the
numerous letters and personal visits
which preceded her picturesque public
announcement of her antagOnism to-
ward nicotine, when she warned fed
eral vocational inspector. Frank Cush-
man, not to smoke during his trips in
Kansas.
Drastic Action Demanded
Eleven federal educational inspec-
tors have visited her Office since she
was sworn in in January, Miss
Wooster stated.
81 have evidence that some Of these
men not only smoked but carried
whisky, have reports Of some"
Miss Wooster states that the pres
ent situation in Kansas high schools
demands drastic action in ending
smoking among teachers, who in turn
will influence smoking by the pupils.
"Why not only boys, but girls in our
high schoosl are smoking" Miss
Wooster said.
Girl Admits Smoking
'T was at lunch at the Y. M. c. A.
recently. There were three girls at a
table next to me-two rather the
jolly, boisterous kind, while the other
was extremely modest looking. Il
heard them talking about smoking.
The modest looking girl said she had
been smoking with the boys, but she
didn't know It was against the law
until the attorney general issued a
warning that the law would be en-
forced.
"T tell yOu," Miss Wooster con-
tinued, "the situation is critical. There
was a prominent railroad official who
came into my Office. He was actually |
crying. He told how his boy had
learned to smoke at school and how
be would 60 in his room at 2 o'clock
In the morning to find him smoking
and reading novels. That man and
many others said that It was up to
my Office to stop such conditions"
Cigaret Not the Least
The letters received by Miss WOos-
Ter are of particular interest.
"I noticed your interview with Mr..
Cushman relative to the tobacco ques-
ion in the Sunday Capital" says a
etter from HillsbOrO. "Let me say
Amen. Something will have to be
lone and hope will be done in the
rear future to overcome this laxity as
! by-product Of wartime conditions,
lmong which the cigaret certainly is
lot the least Of evils. It is making
tself felt in the public schools al
'eady, and if not checked, where will
t take us to? The results are evi-
lent even now"
From q Downs teacher comes the
statement Of teachers problems:
'T notice by the papers you are
making a campaign against tobacco
or teachers.
"WOuld you advise boards for the
.oming season to comply with these
uggestions ?"
Don't Hire Smoking Teachers
Miss Wooster says that no board
ihould hire a teacher who smokes.
The letter continues:
"What advice would you offer q
DOard of education who has a super
who smokes, plays cards and
lances? What advice would you offer
! high school principal who is urged
~ parents to attend high school
lances and help their children to learn
o dance? Why should q teacher hold
himself aloOf from the social activ-
ties the leading people indOrse and
Should a teacher mingle
RELY with the people in their social
diversions or stay in their rooms?
What would you say of a teacher who
las had her training in the big uni
ersities where such activities have
'een allowed by the authorities? Are
We to make teachers and pupils be-
ieve dancing and playing cards are
yrOng-when they see their parents
nd other highly honorable people in
Iulging? ! believe II q teacher can
make herself more attractive by
lOthing or paint and powder it is
riminal II she neglects the OppOr-
unity. ! believe If pupils and teach
n can add grace to themselves by
ertam types Of dancing it is their
uty to do So"
Miss Wooster has received an ur-
rgent telegram from the national