The Alaska daily empire., 1921-12-09
Arqumente for Ncpartment

l. There is manifest great need for an adequate aId comprehensive plan of cooperation between the Fed eral government and the States for the promotion of public education. This is based on the following facts:
 a. That the conduct of public edu- cation is a state function, each state being primarily responsible for the support and management of it's pub lie schools.
 b That tho primary purpose of education from the standpoint Of the state and the nation is to develop good citizens.
 C. That citizenship. physically intellectually anI morally sound is essential to the life and prosperity of our republic since a government of the people can be no stronger than the composite citizenship of which 1t is composed. I.o
 d. That the privileges and respon- abilities of American citizenship are not affected by state boundaries.
 @. That whatever tends to elevate and strengthen the citizenship of any state promotes the welfare of the entire country.
 f. That any weakness or disorder in any state subtracts from the gen oral health of the nation.
 g. That to neglect the proper training of any considerable portion of the future citizens of our country ;sto endanger the future of our na- ton as a whole.
 h. That is becomes the imperative duty of the Federal government to encourage and promote education in all the states to the end that every American child shall have an oppor- tunity for the fullest physical, in- tellectual and moral development of which it is capable
 The Towner Sterling bill now be fore Congress provides: for a De- partment of Education, for the CO., operation with states in matters of education. for studies for investiga- tion and research in the field of edu- cation. for. making researches in H. literacy, immigrant education, public education with special reference to rural education; physical education, preparation and supply of competent teachers, higher education and such other fields as the Secretary of Edu- cation may think necessary" The bill makes further provision for tn: appropriation of funds by the Fed. eral government for the carrying out of these various programs MT Ma gill argues further, tTo best promote the interest of education in the states the department at Washington must be given such dignity and prom thence as will attract public recag- milton and that it must be under.su leadership as will command the re- spect and confidence of the educa- tional forces of the country"
 The Opposing Viewpoint
 The arguments against a Depart ment of Public Welfare may be SuInneu up as IOllOWS.
 1. Education i3 not of sufficient importance to be given special de. partment with secretary in the Presidents Cabinet.
 2. The creation of a Department of Education might bring education into politics.
 Discussing the Towner-Sterling bill further, Mir. Magi!l points out the of careful study and thought by lead CTS in public education throughout the United States. Every state su- perintendent and commissioner of education was consulted before it was finally drafted. It is a bill which was not hastily drawn, but the result of long and intense study. It has been reported upon favorabiy by the committee on education in the Senate and the House of the 66tt Congress. In the drafting of the bill creating Department of Public Vel fare, with education as one of it's subdivisions, the educational leadcrf of the country were not consulted and the bill was hastily prepared it q few weeks. Its sponsors" con tinues MT. Magill, "are friendly t. the promotion of public education but the bill reveals a failure to com prehend many of the most funda mental principles involved in the sc lution of present day educational problems" Friends of education are not opposed to the creation of a De. partment of Public Welfare, but there is great opposition to giving education subordinate place in .he department.
 In conclusion, MT. Magill makes this plea, "The people will insist that every mebmer of Congress shall declare his position on the subject Friends of public education believe that the issues involved are of the
 most serious import to the nation The policy of the Federal govern ment with respect to the promotio: and encouragement of public educa iion in the states hinges upon the anttnp fn ha faEan Tlo