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

r Z E y
with the constitution Of the state and
it's limitations.
ITO carry on this part Of the work
more co-ordamed organization and
stronger financial support if concerted
action and success are to result. AS
it now stands we are but an aggrega-
ton and not an organization.
To Reapportion Association Dues
I'VE teachers teach that each mem
Der Of society ought to bear his pro-
portionate share of the burdens IN re-
our actions we fly in the face of our
teachings. Under the present system
of organization the highest salaried ed
ucator in the state pays no more to
the association than the humblest
teacher in a rural schol. Only one half
Of the mere pittance paid for mem
bership goes to the association. Mem
bers of labor unions pay eight or nine
times as much, not counting special
assessments. If one includes MONDAY
lunches, Rotarians pay 40 to 90 times
more for membership than do the
teachers. The Montana development
association in six months time last
year spent more than $4,000 to ac-
complish it's aims. One business In
terest alone in the state. in the same
period of time spent 100000 on pro-
paganda to help escape its just share
of taxation.
"Yet no other organization in the
state has such a web distributed and
permanent framework for getting re-
suits as have the teachers of Mon
tana it is hoped, then, that this con-
vention will support such graduated
membership fee as will not only dis
tribute more equally the financial bur-
den of the association among its MEM
bers but will also make possible an
effective working organization in the
state. We would not hesitate TO
carry on" in spite of destructive critl-
cism.
1.-THE QUESTIONABLE already men
toned showed that more than 20 per
cent of those replying believed that
teachers should teach impartially, from
the seventh grade up, the facts con-
corning our social and economic organ
izations. To be good citizen one
must possess, among other things, not
only knowledge of and an active in
terest in politics, but also such an un-
Outstanding of our social and industrial
structure as will permit intelligent in
terest and action, and full liberation OF
the faculties. The person who has not
some surplus Of thought and energy to
expend outside the narrow circle of his
own task is dwarfed' and unfit for citi-
zenship. It is in society, in industry.
in public works. and in life that we
find our mathematics, our language,
our civics, our history, science and art
exemplified. The activities of life are
our laboratories. Too long have we
Il, +hn rho aic of m
darkness, marveiing at the iniquities
and accomplishments of bygone age.
Let us strive for courage and capacity
to face and understand our present day
realities, and to vision clearly the road
ahead, along which, God willing, we rs
teachers must start the citizens Of to-
morrow.
Signs of the Times
"The signs of the times are with us.
The United States Chamber of Com
merce. recognizing the need of connect
ing our instruction with social and in
dustrial activities is putting forth
words of encouragement. The Ameri-
can Bankers association, the labor
unions and the farmers are pressing in
with like demands.
"Only in the school can the student
secure an impartial viewpoint of our
social and industrial problems. Once
launched in an occupation his views are
forever warped by the interests of his
vocation. Ruthless hostility, inability
to see justice, and willingness to sac
rifice lives to maintain even unjust
power result. To insist that teachers
should refrain from teaching social jus
tice or, in other words, the golden
rule and refrain from exposing its
la, Sc {ya~ Pr IN
sense. The schools are more response
BILE than any other single agency for
the selfish nom community serving and
unpatriotic law-breaking individuals
that we have with us and that domi
nate at present all classes Of society.
We need to realize clearly that the
school not only trains for life, but is
life itself-life intensified-a place
where life is assimilated at more
rapid rate because of the numerous re-
actions that should be the counterpart
of the best moral and spiritual influ
cnces in society. politics and industry.
We cannot dodge our responsibility If
we would.
Teachers of Montana. year ago
our central theme was leadership. Now
our discussions are to be focused on
citizenship. Proper leadership inspires
good citizenship, and good citizenship
will beget strong leaders. Neither is
possible unless the schools function
properly. We no longer stand at the
crossroads. for one year ago we unan
imously set forth upon the road Of con-
structive woodwork which has and
will test the quality of those with
whom we labor, and our own courage
and moral fiber as we make the effort
RI advance educational interests and to
develop more intelligent citizenship
in the state.
with such aims, we must not falter
in the face of opposition. There is no
room for encouragement. for nights
candles are burnt out, and jocund day
stands tiptoc on the misty mountain
tops"