The sun., 1919-01-16
ATTACKS BOOK THAT
WILSON APPROVED
Magnus w! Alexander Charges
Lane and President Foster
Socialistic Propaganda.

An attack against Government efforts
to influence the plastic minds OF chill
dren by approval OF text books dealing
with labor problems was made by Mag
nus w. Alexander, managing director of
the National Industrial Conference Board
yesterday at the convention OF boot and
shoe manufacturers IN the Astor. The
speakers invective was directed princi-
pally against Secretary of the Interior
Lane and President Wilson. both Of
whom he charged with approving social
istic propaganda.
Mr. Alexander referred specifically to
book entitled Lessons in Community
and Private life" written b. Profs.
Judd and l.. C. Marshall of the Univer-
sitv of Chicago, for which President
Wilson wrote "A foreword. The publica-
| ion OF this book is especially significant,
he said. because the Government con-
ten plates making study OF European
conditions respecting Government control
OF Industrial activities
Urges Demand for Withdra wal.
1T is menace for the Government
70 enter the educational field in this
| manner" the speaker said at is n
| menace to the inherent rights OF our
Juvenile population to be free until they
| attain a sufficient maturity to choose
, for themselves the course they shall
pursue through life. The withdrawal of
this book should he demanded at once.
mir, Wilson could not have foreseen
! what will follow his advocacy Of such
propaganda The ideas this book seeks
to impart are soc!alistic. insidious and
unwarranted. Its text is Inaccurate and
| innocuous II favors social insurance,
! Industrial insurance and Government
! control OF private activity"
Quoting from the book Mr.. Alexander
noted certain sections dealing with the
| factory problem in which II was stated.
| ho said, that tuberculosis was acquired
| in factories and that families must be
protected by social insurance to provide
against such contingencies.
'-rhat charge against our factories is
| untrue" no said But II Is the truth
that dirty and badly ventilated bed
CONS are the real cause OF the disease.
No factory breeds tuberculosis. for the
! Germ cannot live where there Is the
activity and general sanitary conditions
; that obtain IN the factories of this coun-
try"
bOOts ana ShOes TO stay hIRh.
Mr.. Alexander said the book was fos-
/ tered directly by Secretary Lane. Tho
| speaker said he had lived eighteen
| months In European countries and that
he is opposed To all forms OF Govern
men industrial control
Speakers who dealt with the techni-
| cal problems OF the boot and shoe in
| dustry said that there Is no likelihood
OF lower prices on leather goods The
trade must now meet European COM
! petition while paying high labor prices.
! Tho leather supply will diminish before
| Il takes another upward turn. accord
! ing To T.. A. Brand OF the tanners coun-
| eli. War cmbArgoes have lifted prices
| oil over the world, he said. and to-day
! there is scarcely any country 10 which
( the United States can look for II nor
mai supply OF hides.
Tha lection OF officers. The last Off
/ Cial business OF the convention, resulted
! .r the election Of j. Frank McElwain
! OF Boston as president Herbert f. Glea-
| son OF Newark az treasurer and Aaron
| 5. kreder OF Annviiie, Pa, as coun-
oillor and delegate TO the National Cham
! Der OF Commerce The five vice presi-
cents elected were:
John A Bush 81. Louis: Henry w.
| Cook, Syracuse Irwin NJ. Krohn. Gin
| cinnnu; I. Il Downs. Haverhill. Mass.
and Frank S. Farnum, Brockton. Mass
| The next convention will be held in this
| city January 10. 20 and 81. 1920.