The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-15
TEACHERS AT GATHERING
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AS
ISOLATION IN SESSION
Address Last Evening BY l.. D.
Coffman, Head of State
University

Last evening marked the opening OF
the thirty fourth annual session OF
the Southern Minnesota Teachers
association, which will continue today,
closing this evening with an illustrat-
ed address, America as World
Power" given by DR.. F. Paul Goode,
head Of the department Of geography
of the University of Chicago. This
musical program this evening will be
given by Mrs. Anna SLIDER, pianist,
and Mr.. Alexis Parlova, violinist.-
The opening session last evening
was held in the auditorium-of the nor
NAL, and was very poorly attended,
however, those in attendance were
finest musical organizations. the Or
pheus Quartette, composed of DR.. Hi
ram Lloyd. Mr.. Guy Butts. Mr.. Glen
Shoemaker, and Mr.. ]. C. Kendall, &C
companied by Mrs. Wilbur Taylor
Their numbers were all heartily ap-
plauded, and they responded with
many encores. The Orpheus quartetts
Was assisted by Miss Harriet Nerbo-
Wig, reader, who displayed charming
talent. She is among the younger
artists in the city and it is hoped that
DR.. L. D. Coffman, the new presi-
dent of the University OF Minnesota,
gave the address of the evening. What
the REORGANIZATION of the Minnesota
Educational Association Should
Mean He told in detail what
the re- organization of educational
associations has done for Iowa,
Illinois. Colorado. New Mexico,
and other states, and urged that the
teachers of this state acquaint them
selves with the wonderful opportun-
state organization. He compared con.
ditions in states that have adopted
the idea and carried ii out, with con-
ditions here. He reasoned that if all
districts would join the state associa-
ton the teachers would benefit there
from many times over. At the list
meeting of the Minnesota Educational
association q new amendment was
adopted asking all sections to join
with the association. Plans are de-
veloping whereby a full time secre-
tary qualified to hold position of
leadership among the teachers of the
state will be employee, and this sec
rotary will publish each month and
send out a news letter to all teachers,
carrying official information. Teach :
ers are perfectly willing to be organ
lied, but are not willing to gel out
and organize themselves" he said.
Children Should Be Educated.
Minnesota should insist that ev-
e--- ~hfld should be educated. espec-
tally in the northern part of the state
go CoaQluons are pad, where schools
arc long way from the homes OF the
chillren and there are no conveyances
to be had" said DIR. Coffman. He was
OF the opinion that very soon the age
limit for attending school will be
raised to eighteen years, the training
of children must be increased If the
standard OF American people is to be
kept up to par. In England, even dur
Ing the war, II was voted to nave
twenty four hour day time continue
ton school, on employers time, thus
giving each child that much time 10
attend school. without going to night
school. The question was asked
whether Minnesota was to have q
similar law or no.
Matter Of State Aid.
DR.. Coffnan also urged that teach
ers interest themselves In the matter
of state aid. There are now twenty
one distribution points, and he was Of
the belief that II the state associa
ton appointed a committee to study
this question, that conditions could
lbe bettered, and that the aid could
be distributed to better advantage.
IT rtated before the war that, fifty
years from now there wouldn't be &
man IN the teaching profession, due
Ito the fact that women are gradually
showing themselves quite capable o.
THAT twenty five years from now there
won't be a man In the teaching pro
tfeesion," said D. Coffman.
In closing his talk the speaker said
t"Teachers, endeayor to become {
force for good, and to assume leader
tship of own groups, for If you leave
E1t to outsiders IT is reflection OF
every one OF you"
Blar1es Home Coalitions.
"Homes conditions are largely t.
fblame 70 boys and girls going wrong,
Esaid Dr. Allen Hoben, head Of the de
partent Of sociology, Of Carleton col
nege. in his talk at the Normal thi!
Emorning He attributed the cause al
$50 to nervous degeneracy, and statec
that many times fol eign gill5 in tell
ding why they go wrong state tina
their parents demand their salarie:
aud that leaves them without money
to spend. A greater percent Of boys
go wrong than girls. Commercializet
amusement also came in for a share
blame.
Dr Charles Judd. dean OF t. de
PARTNER. Of education. Of 20 univer
Slty III Chicago, talted on "Wha
Makes American Schools Democratic.
I'VE have tried to select the best o
all of the educational systems OF tn,
European countries, and have Assem-
bled ti,c best. ard amply 1t tc thu
masses alike. We do not give educa
tional privileges to few. but all ma,
share alike" he said. He told in detail
various interesting phases Of educa
tfonai systems in foreign countries
gradually comparing the difference
between the foreign systems and Am
eriQa's own.
II. c. Bell of Luverne, chairman o
the resolution committee, talked thi
morning. and outlined the plan which
the Southern Minnesota Teachers as
ISOLATION will act upon this afternoon
that Of whether or not the association
VIII become affiliated with the stat
association.
II is estimated sthat five hundre,
teachers are in attendance at the meet
ing today.
The various camp fires Of the cit.
have an exhibition IN Miss Bowden'
room for the benefit of the visitin
teachers.