The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-30

of band instruments of Grand Rapids Mich, and practically the same list of secondhand instruments repaired was purchased for the sum of $50. Do you wonder why We did not buy from local dealer? It is a fact that the inaugura- tioE of school bands and orchestras, with no local encouragement, have enormous 1y increased the sale of instruments and music supplies by our local dealers. But this question is as irrelevant as the first and serves only to reveal selfish griev- aLce.
 Now comes the real question: "Why do you and Miss Kitts recommend the use of a system Of music in our public schools that necessitates the purchase of same outside of Birmingham to the discredit O. our local merchants and to the dis advantage of our private music teach ers?" This misleading question has been So often corrected and answered, and the matter has been so fully explained trat it seems useless to try to explain further to those who will not under stand. Let me say again, as I have said in former statement, no pupil is re- quired to buy the music or the supplies of the Progressive Music System. No private teacher is required to buy any thing from the Art Publication society of St. Louis Let this fact be firmly grasped. But, if pupil in the high SSLOOl WISileS lldJoT CIcOil III pldHO music, he applies for an examination, and no matter who his private teacher may be, or where he has purchased his music or supplies, he is admitted. This examination is based on the course out lined in the Progressive music series adopted as standard because it is rec commended by competent musicians throughout the country, and the credit is recognized everywhere as standard cre dit Neither pIlDi1 nor teacher conn pelled to buy the course For their con venence a copy of the course is always available for inspection and examination at the high school, so that all may be fully informed of the requirements of the examination.
 Let it be understood that this applies only to the almost negligible number who seek high school credit in piano as ma jor study-only 25 in the Central high school and g in the Ensley high school, and less than one-half of these have bought their theory lessons away from Birmingham Their studies and pieces are bought from local dealers. The great mass of pupils-nearly 5000 in the schools buy their school song books, their sup elementary music readers. and all the music supplies required in the schools from local dealers.
 No ambitious music teacher in the city. need fear that the high schools will be- come conservatories of music to compete with any institution of that character. The great Cincinnati Conservatory of Music has not only adopted this course, but has induced the board of education to adopt it in all the high schools of that musical center. l shall not attempt to justify the system in Birmingham by naming the nearly 200 schools and colleges that have set us the example. Orly recently we find it adopted in the hlgh schools of two small Alabama towns Tuscaloosa and Dothan-and it's adop- tion in Meridian has resulted in its adop- tion for the entire state of Mississippi.
 The suggestion that we are bringing here teachers from distance when equal ly competent teachers may be found at home simply reflects the spirit behind this controversy. As a matter of fact. we are losing every year to other cities more than we bring here. Only this week we lose three of our best local teachers to other cities at higher salaries.
 I shall not indulge in any personal de- fense, nor do l deem it necessary to as- sure the public of my disinterested loy- atty to the welfare of Birmingham. have prepared this statement, not be- cause delight in newspaper controversy, but because it was invited, and further, because the public is entitled to know all the truth. Respectfully.
 J. H. PHILLIPS,
 Superintendent Public Schools.
 Birmingham, January g, 1919.