The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1921-02-16
BURTON |. FRENCH
OPPOSES 4. B. So
IDAHO CONGRESSMAN TELLS
SENATOR PORTER WHAT HE
THINKS OF THE BILL.

Hon. Burton l.. French, congress
man for the First Idaho congressional
district, has written Senator Porter
| of Latah county, giving his ideas OF
the proposed abolishing of the com
missioner of education, and his opin.
ion of DR.. Bryan's splendid work ant
record as an educator. Congressman
French's letter follows:
House of Representatives.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 5, 1921
Senator e. w. Porter, State Senate
Boise, Idaho.
My dear Senator:
The papers from Idaho have devoted
considerable space to the question of
whether or not the position of COM
missioner of education should be
abolished and while maybe by this
time you may have disposed of the
whole matter one way or the other,
feel that I should write you a letter
to give you my idea in the matter.
As an alumnus of the university and
as one who has taken much interest
in educational matters T believe that
it would be most unfortunate step to
abolish the office of the commissioner
of education. 1t would be a step back
ward and not forward. In a state so
large as Idaho, there ought to be some
one officer vested with some such
powers as those with which the COM
missioner of education is vested who
would take the lead in harmonizfng
and adjusting the various educational
matters that concern the university,
the normals and the technical insti-
tute and assist in correlating them
with the educational system that has
more reference to the grammar and
hghi schools of the state.
/ think there is an extensive field
for the commissioner of education
quite apart from the duty that de-
wolves upon the superintendent of
public schools of the state. The
state superintendent of schools is
charged with certain heavy RESPONSE
bilities and if the state does not see
fit to amend the constitution and elm
mate the office of the state superin-
tendent, the work can be performed
by the officer filling that position,
that, were it abolished, would be per-
formed by some officer under the i'm
mediate supervision, doubtless, of the
of education.
In view of the large amount of
money invested by Idaho in state edu-
institutions, the exceeding
arge endowment in the way of public
ands and money received therefrom
ind the constantly changing con-
litions Of the state and her institu-
ions through growth I believe that it !
s economy and not an extravaganza
% maintain the commissioner of edu-
,ation.
Again, while l do not understand I
hat the discussion has turned upon
Dr.. Bryan to any great extent when
he matter of abolishing the position I
# commissioner of education has been
probably l should say |
hat I regard DR.. Bryan as one of the I
blest educators and executives In
he northwest and believe he possesses
he faculty to an unusual degree OF I
neeting the problems that must con-
ront the educational interests of
daho during the growing years that
re ahead. T. believe it would he un- /
crtunate for the state were his SER
ices to be discontinued.
I have turned aside long enough T
rom the work of congress to give ex-
ression to the foregoing in view OF
ly deep interest in our states edu
ationa1 matters.
With hearty good wishes, / am,
Yours very truly,
(Signed) Burton L. French.