White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-08-28
PETITION FAVORS NEW
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Petitions are in circulation to be
sem to representatives in congress
and the senate asking their support
of the demonstrating educational
bill tH. r. I and Senate 1850.
During May. 1920. the supreme
council of the Scottish Rite for the
southern jurisdiction endorsed the
establishment of a national depart
ment of public education under the
direction of a secretary, to be a mem
her of the presidents cabinet. That
plan was contained in the Smith
Towner bill. which was introduced in
the senate and house of representa-
tiyes The house committee favor
ably recommended 1t. but owing TO
the stress of other business it did not
come before the house. and thus
failed with the adjournment of the
sixty-sixth congress.
A bill similar in purpose has been
introduced by Representative Towner
and by Senator Sterling. II provides
for the creation of a department of
education, with the secretary 10 be
appointed by the president. The pur-
poses OF this department. among otn-
er things. IS the conducting OF studies
and Investigations in the field OF ed
Ucation, for research of illiteracy. inn
migrant education. public school cd
ucation ESPECIALLY rural educationl,
physical education and thu prepara-
ton and supply of competent teach
ers.
An appropriation is authorized for
the instruction of illiterates over IA
a of age: for the instruction of
immigrants IA years OF age and owe
il the English language: in the gov
eminent of the United States and du-
ties of citizenship. An appropriation
IL also authorized for physical educa-
ton. including instruction in the
I rinciples of health and sanitation.
the improvement OF teachers in serv-
ice and for the more adequate prep
aration OF prospective teachers.
These appropriations are safe
guarded by the limitation that no
money shall be appropriated to any
state unless a sum at least enually
as large shall be appropriated by
state or local authorities, or by both,
for the same purpose. 1t is also fur
Their provided that all such FUNDS so
appropriated shall be distributed and
administered In accordance with the
laws of the state aud in like manner
as the funds provided by The state
and local authorities for the same
purpose, and that the state and local
educational authorities shall determ-
inc the courses OF study. plans and
methods of carrying out he purposes
Of the section relative to the educa-
ton OF teachers
The rights of the states are fur
Their safeguarded by the limitation
that the secretary of education shall
exercise no authority in relation to
the organization supervision or ad-
minlstratiOn OF educational facilities,
and that the act shall not be con
strued to imply federal control of
education within the states, nor i'm
pair the freedom OF the states In the
conduct and management CT their re-
spectiye school systems A national
council is created TO consult and adj
vie with the secretary of education,
with representation for each state.
II is believed that this bill a be en-
acted into law II the representatives
and senators in congress are brought
to understand the widespread inter.
est in this particular bill
The petition sets forth that the
demonstrating BIZ! zig a vital step
in the interest Of Augmentation;
protecting our youth from the perils
OF illiteracy. and giving educables the
advantage OF an American education,
thereby promoting the general well
fare of the nation