The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-07-18

cratic domination of German educa.
ton by the German government full
filled the statement quoted In the
Manufacturers Record last year, that
German education was the greatest
menace to the world. Under Ger
many's system of education the ma
tional government practically domi-
mated the entire school interests OF
the country, and derided what should
be taught in private schools and uni
versities alike. Out of this power
over education came much of the
complete moral degradation of the
German people in their loss of all
sense of right and wrong. Their
schools had sown the seed of evil in
false education and the nation and
the world have reaped the sad har-
vest.
Despite the experience of Ger
many, there was before the last con-
gress and will be presented again
proposition which, If put into effect,
would ultimately bring under con-
troll of the government practically
the entire educational system OF
America. This is the Smith Bank
head bill. which, claiming to be for
the aid of the Americanization of for
eigners and the elimination of illit-
eracy, will put under the control of
the government bureau of education
more than 500, 100000, certain to be
increased from time to time when
once the commissioner and his asso-
ciates have succeeded in getting their
hands into the federal treasury. 1t
is one of the misfortunes of govern
ment that when once any bureau is
established some of it's officials inn
mediately begin campaign for in
creasing the extent of the money
which it can control for distribution
and it's power over the people.
The United States bureau of edu-
cation has been sad illustration OF
the danger of miseducation. Under
the present commissioner it has been
definite injury to the country, and
its work has illustrated in small
way the almost limitless possibilities
for evil which would necessarily ex-
list if vast sum of money were put
into its hands for directing or assist
ing in the educational work through
out the country.
It has been claimed that this ex-
penditure will be made through state
educational facilities. No intelligent
man need be told that with the vast
power of 100000 dangling in the
air very considerable proportion Of
educators engaged in state work
could be easily influenced to follow
the line Of thought or teaching sug-
gested by the federal government.
Even now the position of the COM
missioner Of education carries with
teachers and with the public far
justify. Indeed, if the influence Of
the bureau Of education were meas
ured by the competency of the head
OF the bureau to help guide the edu-
cational work of the country, it's in
fluence would be nil. The position
itself, however, carries a certain de-
gree of influence and teachers are
constantly looking to that bureau, be-
cause it is supposed to represent the
national government, for guidance.
One illustration of the limitless
power for evil which already exists in
the bureau, and which would be aug
mented many times If the money at
it's command should be largely in
creased, is indicated in a pamphlet
issued by the National Industries Con-
ference board, entitled, "a Case Of
Federal Propaganda in Our Public
Schools" This propaganda finds ex-
preston in three volumes Of 264
pages, which have been issued for
use in the schools of the country.
Most of the so-called lessons in these
books We're prepared by members of
the staff Of the University of Chicago.
That in itself should condemn it, for
the University of Chicago has been
a hotbed of wild theories and isms.
The so-called lessons are put in
the form of questions, many of which
are definitely intended to influence
the child's mind toward a socialistic
trend OF thought. These questions are
framed for the express purpose of
creating a sentiment in favor of la
Dor unions, social insurance and
many other issues which are far
above the possibility OF young child