The Cordova daily times., 1919-02-26
HoKE SMITHS BILL FOR
 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

During IHe mOHtn OI OcCOOer, 1918, Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia intro duced into the senate of the United States, Senate Bill No. 1887, which is designated "to create department of education, to appropriate money for the conduct of said department, to appropriate money for federal cooper ation with the states in the encourage ment and support of education, and for other purposes" The bill provides | for a secretary of education, having equal rank and tenure Of office with other cabinet officers and receiving an annual salary of $12,000. Three assistant secretaries of education with an annual salary of $10,OO0 each are also to be appointed by the presi- dent. The bureau of education is to be merged in the new department, &C., cording to the terms of the bill, and the president is also empowered to transfer to the department of educa- tion, bureaus, boards, commissions, etc., devoted to educational matters which concern the United States as whole.
 The bill contains five definite pro- visions for cooperation with the states, which involve total possible national expenditure of $100,000,000 and a total possible additional expen- diture of an equal amount by the sev- eral states, as follows:
 Seven and a half million dollars an nually by congress, and like amount by the states for the removal of Hitter acy.
 Seven and a half million dollars by congress and a like amount by the states for an Americanization pro- program.
 Twenty million dollars annually by congress and like amount by the states for physical education and health service for children in school and for adults.
 Fifteen million dollars annually by congress and like amount by the states for providing more adequately for the better preparation of teachers for all grades of public schools.
 Fifty million dollars annually by congress and a like amount by the sev- eral states for the purpose of equaliz ing educational advantages among the several states and for providing a more reasonable remuneration for teachers.
 The amount to be expended for the purpose indicated may seem large to some, but when we consider that New York city alone expends $43,000,000 annually for schools, the figure set for aid to the schools of the nation gep- erally does not seem to be so enorm- ous. It, however, represents start in the right direction and the fact that congress seems to be favorable toward the bill is a hopeful sign and bodes good for the future progress of the public schools.
 Opinion from the educational world is generally favorable to the bill, al though there a few who see objections to it as originally introduced. There is little doubt that serious defects, when pointed out, will be remedied. In so far as Alaska is concerned the principal objection is that its provi- sions do not apply to a territory. Steps are being taken to remedy this glaring deftct and it is hoped that Alaska may at least be made one ex ception and that this very live part of Uncle Sam's domain may not con- tinually be considered as of no conse- quence and at least be given the same opportunity to help herself as the more thickly settled but no more thor oughly American states.