New-York tribune., 1920-11-19
Finley j Resigns
EducationPost
TO Join Times
Commissioner Will Retire
On Jan. l From State Serv-
Ice and Take Up Advisory
and Editorial Position
Reluctant to Change Now
Seeks to Have Part i'm Solving
Great Problems of Day
and Generation, He Says
speoial Dispatch to The Tribune

6pcSl1t DtSputCH 10 IHe lftOthe
ALBANY, Nov. 18.-Dr. John H. Fin
ley, Estate Educational Commissioner,
today rendered his resignation to the
State Board of Regents. DR.. Finley
will Retire from Office on January /, to
enter an important advisory and edi-
torisl relation with The New York
Timks
Dr.. Finley became Commissioner of
Education in January, 1918. His sue
cesser will be named by the Board of
in tie last week of December. The post
pays $4,000 year. In submitting his
resignation, DR.. Finley declared that
the steadily growing adr nistration de-
mands made upon the Commissioner of
Education made it impossible for him
to continue his work of public nature
outsldL the education department.
81 am reluctant to narrow the field
of my interest and to devote myself, as
would be necessary, wholly or chiefly,
to administrative details, especially
now that the lines of development have
been so largely determined" he said.
Rural School Situation
"I'have thought that should not be
reaching my maximum usefulness in
this .position for two or three years,
and Il have been wishing to remain,
especially until the rural school situa-
ton. had been improved and u better
working relationship reached in the
cities. but these ae in the way of be-
ing accomplished through the Committee
of Twenty -one and the joint committee
of Regents and Mayors, the Legislative
Committee and Chiidren's Code Com
mittee, assisted by my competent as
socidtes.
"Moreover there has come to me.
entirely unsought and unanticipated,
an Invitation to take a position in an
ether field in which | think ] can be
even. more helpful to the general cause
OF education. | have given this invita-
ton consideration for several months,
appreciatiEe the opportunity which it
opened to me, yet finding myself un-
willing to leave this position which is
to me the Office of greatest opportunity
and honor in the field of public educa-
tionr and to sever the happy relations
which I have enjoyed with the Board
Of Regents, with the department, and
with the educational officers and teach
ers Of thiT state. | have declined to
consider several presidential and other
cause no other has seemed comparable
with this, but l have come at last to
the view that l can be of greater serv-
ice In the important editorial position
unexpectedly open to me, and that the
department may itself be ultimately
adwat ttaeed by my taking this step.
"My conscience would trouble me in
leaving this field if cid not feel that
having served almost thirty years in
1t, in one or another capacity, I may
return to the profession for which /
especially prepared myself and in
which I hope that I may not only be
Of service to those who are teaching
the children and youth to face the
problems of the next generation. but
may also have part in solving the
great problems of my own day and
generation. l believe that the press
has to-day the supreme opportunity
not only t. help Immediately the cause
OF sound education, but also to keep
before the public the high objects
toward which the schools are looking"