The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-28

to the disadvantage of our private music teachers?
 Why did you not adopt one of the standard methods used by our great
 teachers for years and is sold by and
 through our local dealers?
 Is the board of education backing you up in the movement to transfer all of our city school business, in the pur- | chase of supplies in foreign markets in preference to local markets?
 If so why?
 Do you not think it is time for you to take the citizens of Birmingham into your confidence, and tell the whole story? Now, MT. Editor, I think I have, in | the foregoing revelations shown enough | indefensible evidence of woeful want | of ability, or wonderful bias of judg- ment on the part of our board of educa- | tion, for surely they must be purblind to | the interests of Birmingham and her public schools or most unduly fascinated with the charms of St. Louis and her art | publishing society. As for myself, l I think all students in our high school should be taught to read music and sing, and it would be no difficult problem to ] select a well accredited song book which could be handled by our local deal | CTS who would doubtless be glad to carry 1 it in stock and sell at reasonable price. | However, l would suggest that the | honorable board of city commissioners go l immediately to the high school and de-
 mand, not from the board of education, | but from every teacher there, personal
 report of every class, and when the com missioners shall have then ascertained the appai1ing percentage of pupils who have failed completely in these most es- | sentfal branches which are expected to | be taught in the literary department, | that they make the facts known through l our city press. Then they will perhaps discern the wisdom of devoting all the | time possible to the general and moHe i practical education of students, and
 realize the folly of the present efforts
 of incompetents to establish in or convert ] our high school into a conservatory of l music. Then let me ask, MT. Editor, l what other city that could procure within | her own limits, one competent and well qualified or the duties of her assignment, would make reQuistion on Birmingham | for a teacher in their schools? And yet let us think of how many thousands or
 dollars have been paid out by Birming- ham for teachers brought here from other cities to the woeful neglect of many truly | competent and worthy teachers of our 1 own city. This is a discrimination against l Birmingham's interest, and from my point of view not at all commendaole. ! Whether pr. Phillips is willing to ac- knowledge acquaintance with me or ho' | makes little difference to me. We have certainly met and conversed on different occasions. However, this is to no purpose whatever. but I feel very confident after reading this that he will not forget my name. Yours truly.
 IRA F. RANDALL Birmingham, January 25, 1919.
 After the foregoing had been prepared and placed in the hands of the press was approached by Col. Sid Bowie mem Der of the board of education, who made a personal appeal to me urging that withhold or delay publication of same un- til his return from Atlanta, promising
 that immediately on his return certain and satisfactory concessions regarding the matter discussed would be made by the board of education. Yielding, som1- what against my better judgment, l con l sented to a postponement, but after doing so, and after more mature delib- eration and after listening to the ear nest and insistant demands of my friends who are interested in the case, and some of whom, like myself, have had theii
 veracity questioned, I have by telegram notified MT. Bowie of my change of mind and asked a release from my promise
 made to him. I. F. R.