The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-24

mand also that the proof or retractton
 be given the same publicity as the
 charges. LETA KITTS
 Supervisor of Music"
 Dr. J. H. Phillips. superintendent of
 pubiic schools, said:
 DR. PHILLIPS STATEMENT
 Ut is very difficult for those who
 have striven to give the people of
 Birmin gham the best to be found in all
 educational lines to understand the
 motive of the outcry against certain
 changes adopted in the music depart
 ment l regret Co see that this reac-
 tionary spirit is finding expression in
 incorporate abuse, threats of ven-
 geance and dire punishment and in-
 situations of criminal abuses
 The merits or demerits of the sys-
 teru of making piano q major study in
 the high school this year surely can
 not be determined by hysterical
 charges I am willing to leave the en-
 tire question to any impartial body
 that is competent to judge in such
 matters l am not musician, and, therefore, must be guided in matters pertaining to music instruction by the teachers of the music department in the schools, and by the best repre- Sentatives of music instruction in the
 city. The system was first brought to my attention by resolutions adopted DS the MUSIC Sluuy CluD or lnlS Clly. Wherever this system has been adopted, it seems to have been at the request of musicians and music teach CTS. l shall not try to defend the sys- tenn l shall refer that to our musical critics. But the mechanical and finan- cial elements of the plan, I feel that am capable of considering. If this plan is not for the benefit of the people, and if it fails to protect them properly, ha hna rH nf afi1pa fipn O know it. If we have been badly advised by the Music Study club and the music teachers of the schools, let us be en- frightened.
 'The plan involves giving credit to any high school pupil for work done in piano outside of school under teachers of his own choice. It is well known that the courses and methods in piano music are as diverse and numerous as piano teachers. If the high school is to give a credit which will be honored | in other schools and which will count towards graduation, then a standard course must be adopted as a basis for
 the credit examination. Standard mu- sic must be prescribed and standard texts must be adopted. Such texts. of course, must be published else- where. None is published here so the board must adopt texts for this work as it does for shorthand, bookkeeping or chemistry. No one is required to l buy these books; no teacher is required | to pay s125 for the four-year course, | though this is the standard of measure of the teachers qualifications. The pupil will be given an examination for the piano credit, no matter what books followed or by whom taught.
 "As to the amount of money in volved it is unfortunate that such ex- | aggregations are made. There is no ,1c-tr anything. I am told that only 25 pupils in the Central High school have applied for credits, 12 of whom | are taking this course. Even if all have taken the course suggested, they would have paid only $50 for the first semester, and the 23 pupils in the Ems l ley High school would have paid out S46 for music texts. A total of $1 50 has been paid for text material to the 1 St. Louis company. During the entire course of four years these necessary text materials will cost S16 per pupil. Let this amount be compared with that paid by the average private piano pupil If the music pupils and music teachers of the city are not really benefited by this system, why should the board wish to maintain it?
 AS TO CHARGE OF CRAFT But there is graft in it. If the su- perlntenQent Ot schools IS grafter the people have been a long time finding it i out I do not know MT. Randall, who is 1 reported as charging us with graft. He I certainly has never presented any of 1 his grievances to the superintend Only one specific charge is made by Mr. l Randall. "A piano was sold in Birming-
 ham to music pupil in the public l schools, and d fee was paid a music 1 teacher for the sale This is an un- | equivocal charge. I must demand of | MT. Randall the name of the guilty teacher and the evidence. This direct l charge will not be allowed to pass un- | challenged. Mr. Randall will have an l opportunity to prove the charge. l 'I hope all the facts in this matter | will be aired thoroughly in order that
 we may discover who the real grafters are. We want the people who are in- terested in teaching their children piano music to investigate this matter | thoroughly before they reach any con
 clusion. If Birmingham is to be kept dragging behind by few people, we
 may as well know it. I am satisfied. ! however, that when this plan is thor
 oughly tested those now protesting will 1 be most favorable to it.'