Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-23
DIR. A. O. Thomas
Speaks on Subject,
School Legislation"

State Superintendent of Schools
Gives a Most Interesting and In
struetive Address at Meeting Of
Augusta League Of Women Voters
Held Tuesday Evening
DR.. Augustus o. Thomas, State
superintendent of public schools, ad-
dressed a good-sized gathering Of
members Of the League of Women
Voters in the Assembly hall at the
Y. M. G. A. building Tuesday eve
ming. Preceding his talk, Mrs. Will
liam r. Pattangail read an interest
ing paper on THE Organization of
the Two Leading Political Parties in
the Nation, State, District, County
and City," and she told of her ex-
periences when attending the Ma
tional Convention of the Democratic
party at San Francisco last June.
This paper proved most interesting
and received much favorable COM
ment.
DR.. Thomas, in his opening, stated
the purposes and the provisions of
the act now pending before Con-
gress. known as the Smith-Towner
bill. seeking Federal aid for the
states for educational purposes. DIR.
Thomas said, II represent the first
voice raised in America for Ma
tional aid for education" Senator
Hoke Smith Of Georgia was the first
to bring the matter to the attention
of Congress. a leader in education
needs scientific training. At the
present time young girls IS years of
age are engaged unframed as teach
ers in our public schools. he con-
tinued and as things are now we
could not get along without them.
The Federal Government has been
Sinking its duty to the states. the
speaker said. In these United States
there are 2t,OO0,O00 school children
with $4,000 teachers. The Federal
Government has spent 81 ,OOO, 100000
for war purposes in order to insure
peace, but has spent only one per
cent. for education. The people hate
a direct tax. but they do not grum-
BILE at an indirect tax and the Uni
ted States Government raises its
money by the indirect tax system.
Out of the $4,000 young men ex-
amined Tor service in the selective
draft, "A per cent. were unable to
pass the ordinary tests Of reading
and writing. Secretary Lane esti-
mates that the country has suffered
a loss of $50, 10000 through Hitter
acy. Comparisons of nations shows
the United States to be ninth among
nations in standards Of education.
Our little country schools are still in
operation ministering to the educa-
tional needs Of our rural communi-
ties, while the OK team has given
way to the Ford and those same lit
tie schools are not adequate. Judge
Towner Of Iowa was the first to in
troduce the present pending bill be-
fore both the House and Senate.
At this point DIR. Thomas paid his
respects to the arrival of women in
politics. He said woman has the
human side Of affairs" In the past,
if man, in politics stood between
the law and wealth the man had to
get out of the way, but with the adj
vent of the woman we expect better
things He told Of efforts made to
get such a measure written into the
platforms of the two leading politi-
cal parties at their national conven-
lions last summer and how a semi
camoufaged plank was finally
adopted by both parties under GER
tain conditions for political expe-
diency.
DR.. Thomas told his hearers that
he had received from reliable
sources assurances Of q passage OF
the bill at the next session Of Con-
gress In closing, he took up in de-
tail the provisions and purposes OF
the bill, explaining in detail the APP
plication of such aid and added
that Maine would probably receive
annually about 100000 for this
purpoes.
The address Of DR.. Thomas was
greatly appreciated and was ac-
corded warm applause.