The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-17
Educational Council Turns
Down Wooster Cigaret Plea.
VIII Not Ask Legislature to Put
Lid on Certificates.
TAKES SLAP AT Department
"PrOduces Nonsense and Sensa-
tiOnaIism," Is Charge.
Sessions of State Educators
Came to a Close at Noon.

The educational council state teach
ers. at its closing meeting at the high
school auditorium today. refused to
ask the state legislature to authorize
Cancellation of certificates of teachers
and other educators who smoke cigar
cts. as advocated by Lorraine E. Woos-
ter. state, superintendent of instruc-
ton. The council. taking final action
af. an hour of bitter debate where
in the present state educational de-
partment was branded a proponent of
'sensationalism and nonsense without
a single constructive measure to its
credit" refused to incorporate Miss
Wooster's name in a resolution for
mandatory enforcement of the cigaret
law.
AS adopted the teachers annual
cigaret resolution called upon the
legislature to pass law empowering
the attorney general to custer county
attorneys who do not enforce the anti
cigaret law. National magazines
carving cigaret and tobacco adVertis-
ing were condemned as to their use
in school Libraries.
AS introduced by John P Evans. su-
pe.intendent of Stevens county
schools, the resolutions would have en-
dorsed in the first clause, Miss Woos-
ter's anti-cigaret stand and asked the
legislature to pass a law allowing MISS
Wooster to cancel teaching certificates
of instructors who smoke cigarets.
The resolution was first orally out
lined in general by Evans After sew
eral minutes debate and with opposi-
ton apparent but failing to be heard
the Assem- bly, voted that II pass reSo-
lutions covering Miss Wooster's stand
and enforcement of the anti law
When the chairman. read the resolu-
tions as Evans had drawp them i've
a
test The chairman ruled that the
resolutions had been passed, where
upon opponents of Miss Woosters
ideas came to life with bitter vocal
protests.
Kansas Laughing Stock.
"If we pass this resolution we will
TO on record of approving a state de-
1artnnent which has made Kansas a
laughing stock from coast to coast,
shouted a speaker. 1.-The state depart
nent in the last two years has pro-
duced nothing but nonsense ana SEN
sationalism. 1t hasn't produced one
constructive educational measure, ana
= they are laughing at Kansas all over
the country This resolution to can
eel certificates because the ho9der
smokes, will make them laugh more.
''1'hey laughed at Kansas when she
started prohibition and suffrage
shouted an Evans proponent-
"Ameni" shouted Evans.
motion % reconsider the resolu-
ton prevailed. Then it started to-
ward its grave-that clause having to
do with Miss Wooster's ideas.
Mo I'VE table the whole business
till next year" said a woman coun-
Evans Couldn't Save II.
The motion was seconded but lost
Evans then started out to save part
of the Wooster clause from the wreck:
He wanted to amend 1t. cutting out
the part about certificate but putting
+be council on record as favoring Miss
Wooster's attitude toward cigarets.
The council voted Evans down, struck
out the entire clause dealing with the
county superintendent and passed the
remaining clauses for mandatory en-,
forcement of the anti-eigaret law and
condemning magazines with tobacco
ads in them.
While debate on the resolutions was
under way a group of state educators
were holding an informal meeting 10
at the coming election. it was declared.
Evans introduced his resolution af-
ter the assembly had granted his re-
quest TO say in session few minutes
longer. His opposition, he admitted
came as a surprise.
New Taxation Phn.
Previous to the cigaret controversy,
state and county unit of taxation, not
excluding the district unit Another
resolution urged organization of local
clubs to better conditions among
teachers and instructors.
A state committee was voted for TO
arrange topics to be discussed next
wear. At the request of a committee
from the county superintendent sec
tion the council also appointed com
mittee of five to meet with similar
committee from the council of admin
istration to form plans for closer and
more democratic organization and
leadership in the Kansas State Teach
ers' association
Faults of Organization.
The faults of the present teachers
organization and methods favored to
secure more effective leadership were
discussed in a meeting of the city
superintenden:s this morning at the
Chamber of Commerce.
The question of How to Organize
to Secure Leadership" was handled by
Prof. F. B. Gift, of Manhattan. There
must be a moro permanent body OF
teachers" Gift decla ed. He pointed
out that all education forces must be
= united in one organization if the be ST
results were to be effected
He suggested that the leaders of this
central organization should be taken
from every department 1t would
comprise representatives from the ele-
mentary schools. high schools, nor
mails. colleges and universities. all tc
be represented in the central state
council.
The question of what should be done
to carry out program tending to bet
ter leadership was handled by Prof
tContinued on PAGE Two.l