Arizona republican., 1919-05-07
A General Education Bill
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Among the bills to be introduced in the sixty sixth congress is the Smith -Towner measure for the greater diffusion of education step toward the fufment of the prediction Lincoln that the day would come when there would be guaranteed to all in this country unfettered start and fair chance in the race of life"
 Among the things proposed in the bill are the creation of a department of education with place lin the cabinet, the transfer offices and bureaus relating to education to that department appropri- ation of 900 to be apportioned among the states follows: s750OOOO the removal of illit- eracy, $50OOOO for Americanization, s50OOOO00 for equalizng educational opportunities s2OOOO,OOO for physical education ealth and sanitaton), s5,OO0,- < 900 for preparation of teachers.
 There are set forth the conditions under which states may receive apportionments. It is required that these apporhonments shall be met by like sums be appropriated by the The conditions relate chiefly to the establishment of machinery apply ing the federal funds It is required that there shall be legal school of at least twentyfour weeks; that there shall be a compulsory attendance law for children between the ages of and fourteen and "a law requiring that the English language shall be the basic language of instruction in the common school branches in all schools public and private.
 A state may accept any one or all of these appor- tionments which based first the school popu- lation and next the proportion which the number school teachers in the state bears to the whole number of teachers in the country.
 The administration of the funds is left wholly with the be administered solely the pur- poses and in the manner set forth no part of them to be used for te purchase rental erection repair if school buildings or the purchase or rental of school sites.
 This argument is offered in support of the bill:
 Because education is essential to the life of Nation. government of the people must necessarily be determined by the character and intelligence of it's citizens. Anarchy and social disorders thrive ignorance The welfare and perpetuity of nation demand that all possible encouragement be given the states the development through education of imbued with tile spirit and ideals Americanism- Thus only republic be made safe, efficient and enduring.
 Since education is a matter of vital concern to the nation well to the states and local communities, the nation should bear it's share of the necessary expense. In addition to what is being done the national government should and assist the states in the removal Of iliteracy the Amercanzaton of heterogeneous population, the conservation of human resources through physical education and instruction in the principles of health and sanitation, equalization of educational opportunities that every child in the land may have an opportunity to obtain a good common school education, and in the preparation and supply of competent teachers who are the essential factor in the solution of all educa tional problems.
 The national government is making liberal appropriations support of education along certain special lines including vocational education But the promotion and support of general education, which includes the special, is more fundamental and necessary. Special education however valuable in itself must of necessity fail to accomplish its pur pose if general education is permitted to deteriorate from lack Of adequate support.
 Though inc federal government purposss to exer- else control over the schools stafS and win