The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-04-24

April q, 1919.
/ independent:
It is a pleasure to write once more
for the old friends who gave me such
a warm welcome last week at the
| meeting of the Northwestern Educa-
tional Association.
Minot is to be congratulated on it's
own growth as well as that of the
teachers meeting. Sixteen years ago
this association was formed by % en-
thusiasts, who met in the old High
school, now used for the grades. And
now Minot is using it's third High
school, the Auditorium of which is not
only handsome, but fireproof, and we'll
f! nigh perfect in it's acoustics, with a
! stage that accommodated the Min
neapolis Symphony orchestra nicely
and gave W northwesterners the treat
of the years.
Two Of the soloists gave musical
recital in the Normal school auditor
ium at 4 p. m. Friday, and Mrs. Simp-
son did wonderful feat. The music
rolls of the soloist were somehow de-
layed, and Mrs. Simpson had only
time to glance over the sheets, then
she sat down and played the accom-
paniments for these soloists without
any rehearsal, either by herself or
them. Without her effort the recital
could not have been given, so the AS
ISOLATION very properly gave her a
hearty and spontaneous volley Of
thanks Saturday morning.
Of late years the Association has
always brought in some fine music to
delight the members, and the citizens
OF Minot appreciate it, too, but this
year the Symphony orchestra called
in people from all the neighboring
towns, and the s. r. o. sign was out
early. What delight those harmon
lous tones were, and what fine con-
ductor Mr.. Oberhoffer is!
There were over thousand teach
ers in the city, of whom $50 register
ca. But they are only ripple in the
busy Minot of nowadays. And they
were easily accommodated in the
private homes when the hotels were
filled to Overlooking.
The Normal and it's efficient facul-
ty made much possible. DR.. Clarke,
the outgoing president of the N. W..
! r. A., made fine feature of bringing
in the new president, Supt. L. A.
White, who made splendid presiding
officer. His quiet way of carrying on
the business, and the witty and wise
little sayings with which he introduc-
ed both men and things, were a per
feet feast to his hearers.
Major Crane was heartily welcom-
ed by all his old friends, and he made
many new ones. His earnest plea for
solidarity among the teaching profess
sion in the nation, the state and the
district gave us 1875 new members for
the N E. A.
The president of the N. E. A., Dr.
Strayer, who occupies an educational
chair in Columbia university, spoke
eloquently both forenoon and after
noon, and gave us all a new view
point of our work, and much enthus-
iasm to incite us to action, the will to
do.
But the best thing he did for US
was to hand down his opinion of Bill
134, the work Of our last legislature,
which comes up for referendum July
8 of the current year. AS DR.. Stray
err has made several state educational
surveys, notably Of KANSAS, recently,
when he says the plans of Bill 1874
are educationally unsound, it be-
hooves us to Stop, Look and Listen.
He says "it violates the fundament-
al principle of educational admins
tration, that of differentiation between
lay control of public education, and
the professional administration of our
schools"
His opinion will be found in full on
another page of this issue, as will also
the Resolution adopted by the N. w.
E. A. earnestly and unanimously.
Five speakers each took up a |
survey of some part Of the bill, not
ably Section 9 and its conflict. En-
phasis was placed on the fact that
this question is not political; that it
was no part of the program of any
party, and that the educational assoc
iation Of the state, including the State
E. A., have always kept clear of poll
tics and personalities. The N. w. E.
A. voted to send a representative to
the Sections meeting in Dickinson,
New Rockford, ETC., and to the State
executive. A. c. Berg, of McHenry
county was appointed.