Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-11-22

Leaving his wife critically i'll in
Rochester, MINI, President Cummings
arrived in Great Falls only few min
utes before the opening of the associa-
ton, and his appearance upon the con-
vention platform brought much ap-
plause. His speech was delivered in
a vigorous manner, during which he
emphatically put himself and the as
ISOLATION, SO far as his leadership is
concerned, on record as demanding the
right for teachers of discussing taxa
ton matters affecting the state and
their further right to agitate the early
cOnvocatiOn of state constitutional
convention SO that changes may be
made.
Flags "PoIItical Control
He referred a number of times to
certain interests that for years have
controlled the political and, to some
extent, industrial thought Of the state
and charged them with attempts to OBJ
struct progressive activities within the
association. He said that these "in-
terests" are opposed both to revised
system of taxation and to constitu-
tional convention, and said he was con-
WINGED that 95 per cent of the teachers
of the state were in favor of these
changes. He also said that many
bankers, merchants and other leaders
in a community favored more equt-
able system Of state taxation" and
the early converting of constitutional
convention.
Mr.. Cummings address follows:
Zone year ago the president of this
association closed his address with the
following words: Before us stand two
sign posts. The one exhorts us to hold
fast to old, out-lived aims and ideals,
to inaction in those movements that
determine the character Of future soci-
ETY.. The other summons us TO know
the world and its currents Of thought;
to examine every proposed application
of democratic principles to our civic
life; to shape our instruction by the
changing needs and issues of the day;
to view our calling in q new and sacred
light; and to teach and lead so that
ness, at least, Industrial social, and
spiritual democracy need not perish
from the earth
by virtually unanimous vote, all
Of those present decided to press for
ward, and, by the adoption of definite
resolutions, blaZed the trail which those
in charge Of the destiny of the asso-
citation for the year were expected to
follow. In presenting an analysis of
the years work, marked out by the
resolutions Of a year ago, the presi-
dent of this association is assuming all
responsibility for any statements made
and conclusions drawn, for he realizes
that his views will be at variance with
many who are present.
"As a result Of the Billings meeting
criticisms have been spread throughout
the state, the basis of which appears
mainly to be:
II. The idea that teachers of the
state had affiliated or favored affilia-
ton with the American Federation of
Labor.
"2. That teachers have no business
to discuss finance, especially questions
of taxation.
"3. A resentment on part of some
because the teachers Endorsed and
strove for a constitutional convention.
Certain Interests Hostile
at will be the duty of the present
speaker to discuss these criticisms.
At Billings, by express invitation, many
that for years have controlled the po-
litical and to some extent, industrial
thought of the state, were present.
Some had come breathing anathemas
upon such teachers as dared to express
thoughts contrary to the established
order Of thinking. Naturally the action
of the convention on taxes and the call
ing of q constitutional convention was
far from gratifying to these repre-
sentatives.
'"Taking as basis of their assertions
the utterances of one man, who had
been scarcely three months in the state
and was an entire stranger to 50 per
cent Of those present, representatives
Of certain interests engineered a move
ment to spread broadcast over the state
the idea that the teachers of Montana
desired affiliation with the American
Federation Of Labor, and this in face
of the virtually unanimous rejection of
the proposal by the convention. Con-
trary to the truth, the press deliberate
" scattered this wrong impression
throughout the state and some neglect
ed to correct the falsehood.
ITO Judge the teachers Of the state