Arizona republican., 1921-01-17
SENTIMENT FAVORS
 BILL ID CREATE J. s.
 DEPT. OF EDUCATION

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1e-One of the most impressive features of the pres ent and closing session of the 66th congress is the sentiment being ex- pressed in communications reaching members of the two houses of congress in favor of prompt action on the Smith Towner bill providing for the creation of a department of education with the head of a member of the presidents cabinet. These communi- cations come from all sections of the country, and are therefore representa- tive of the views of the entire country; they come from organizations as well as individuals. and from men and women, alike.
 Recent expressions on different oc- casions of President designate Harding in favor of the creation of a department of education, as quoted in interviews coming from reliable newspaper corre- spondent's stationed at Mir. Harding's home, have done much doubtless to center interest in the pending legisla- ton, and to result in renewed appeals to members of congress to act at this session. Favorable action before March would enable President Harding to name the additional new members of his cabinet in time for such member to begin his or her duties along with the other new cabinet members.
 Some confusion has resulted appar- ently from the fact an effort is being made to bring about the creation of d department of public welfare, of which the bureau of education would be a part. This would mean, it is being pointed out, merely the putting of the cart before the horse, as the well es- tablished facts back of the need for a HQnQrfrnQnf nf ringly to the priority of It's claim in that educational demands of the coun- try today rank with the most pressing of any other character.
 The desire to obtain an education, manifested so impressively Hnce the war, in the registration of students in the public schools and the universities and colleges, would seem to answer any challenge to the effect the younger generation is not interestd in a depart ment of education. Accepting as sin cere the efforts being made by young men and women to matriculate in dif- ferent institutions of learning. the vital need for great department of the government which would foster, while | working in entire harmony with the states, tho development of Institutions of learning, would seem to be apparent.
 There is another strong reason ad- vanced in behalf of action on the de- pertinent of education bill at this ses- sion of congress, this being the fact | the measure is now before congress ready to be called up and acted upon at any time. The enactment later on of legislation which would merely transfer the bureau of education from one department to another, certainly would not met the desires of the great number back of the department of edu- cation bill. and would still leave this bureau a subordinate one, one not ca pablo of functioning in the manner in which full-fledged department should A department represented by a member in the cabinet of the president of the United States would give to the cause of education that prestige to which such great democratic movement 1. entitled.
 President Lotus D. Coffman, of tho University of Minnesota, in a strons address on the occasion of the inaugu- ration of Dr. M. l.. Burton as president of the University of Michigan, recently pointed out in a most impressive man. ner the responsibility which is to b, put upon the public in the future 1T taking care properly of the increasinl number of students enrolling in tn high schools and the colleges and uni versailles.
 Going further, he pointed out som
 of the steps necessary to be taken i
 this army of young folk is to be give
 the best of opportunities in the way O
 instruction at competent hands and un
 der the most approved methods.
 Not only the facts pointed out by Di Coffman, but facts presenting them
 selves from other sources day by day
 would seem to drive home the dange
 of delay in the creation of a depart :. ment of education. Hence, say fl |, friends, and they are legion, congres . should act at once.