Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-23

establish Il Statewide system OF
free textbooks. Personally. ! believe
this is the thing that should come
In Virginia. If education is the chief
business OF the Commonwealth. and
II 1t DC 10 the highest interest OF
the economic. social, political and
religious welfare Of the State that
her children be educated. then she
Is obligated to furnash the tools with
which they are 10 acquire that edu-
cation
The latter statement brought an.
plausc. Secretary liillman answered
a number Of questions asked from
the floor.
A. II. Hill, superintendent Of the
Richmond city schools. was asked
how the free-tcxt- book system was
working out here. and he said IL was
very satisfactory. y similar answer
was made by the superintendent Of
the Newport News schools and one or
two other cities.
Efficacy of system.
Among the suggestions made from
the floor was one for pupils To cover
their books with paper to keep them
clean, and to turn them in at the end
of the session. TO be given to other
pupils needing them, or sold at "a low
price. One superintendent reported
that the pupils in his schools turned
in the hooks free of charge after they
were through with them. and the
books were then given free TO the
pupils needing them. This system
he said. was working splendidly.
~ n.
citation. scheduled to meet this morn
ing at O'Clock. will not meet until
=. NJ. at which time the session will
be held In the John Marshall High
School Building. Executive Secretary
George w. b. Guy announced yes;er-
day shat the Stanley High School ana
the Mount View High School had been
awarded the first and second prizes.
respectively, for the best work among
the Junior League. Tho prizes will
be awarded Friday morning at the
general meeting. The committee on
awards is composed OF j. II. Binford,
assistant superintendent Of schools OF
Richmond: DR.. Mary l.. Brydon and
Mrs. Randolph Maynard. There are
ninctyfour junior leagues in the
States, which embrace practically all
school activities.
Some of Today'S Events.
In addition to the varied program
Of activities of the various depart
mcn;s and sections today's program
includes breakfast to the, District
Trustees Association. at Murphy's
Hotel at S:l5 y. NJ. rendered by the
Retail Merchants Association, the Ho-
tel Association and the City Council
of Richmond; II luncheon at =. NJ. AT
Murphy's Hotel. to the conference and
division superintcndcnts, given by the
same organZati lions as above noted
and :! physical training demonstration
~ primary and grammar grade pupils
in the Grays' Armory. 1880 to L. VI.
Trustees Discuss Election.
The first meeting OF the Trustees
Association. unit OF the Virginia
Educational Conference, was held in
the auditorium Of the Mechanics Inn
sttutc yesterday afternoon from to
o'clock. N. F. McGehec, Of near
keysville, presided. Superintendent
of Public Instruction Harris Hart de-
livtded forcible address on Tho
Preparation of Elementary Teachers"
and w. a. McShca. OF ArIincton
'-'''''sF Sbpht ol ne SOchlN dS
Unit Of Administrations" emphasize
ing the county as n unit rs the lct-
ter system than having district units
The trustees discussed the question
OF the election OF trustees by the
people. Talks were made by w H.
Duke. OF Albemarle County: W. \.
McShca, OF Arlington County. and Mr..
Whitchurst, of Amherst County. The
sentiment of the talks was against
the election of trustees by the people
IL being suggested that the better elc-
mnt would not seek election. IL was
also suggested that the trustees VINO
are rendering faithful service have
doubtless made enemies and tho best
men lifted for the positions could no,
be elected. The idea OF CONT lining TIN.
work of the supervisor with that or
trustee was discussed. but it did NOT
meet with favor. No vote was taken
on any question yesterday.
The trustees will hold II short scs.
sion this morning and will probably
finish their work this afternoon
J1int Meeting Lnst Might
Division super ntcndcnts and trus-
tees held IA Joint session In the au-
diiorium of the John Marshall High
school last night. G. l.. III. johnson,
presided. Harris Hart. superlutcn
dent OF public Instruction. made a
plea Tor the county an unit of adj
Einistration. The tendency. he SAID.
in all administrative affairs and in
all public works was 10 lay down
as direct and complete operation as
possible. The present system OF dis
trict units. he said. with the school
business divided among boards and
division superintendents, was con-
fusing. and the people did not know
whom to apply TO In matters per-
tanning to the schools. He suggested
that the county unit should be made
up OF one trustee from each IMAGES
tcrial district, elected by the peo-
pie. He paid tribute To the hon
esty and the patriotism of the men
esrving as trustees under the pres
cnt system
James Hurst. superintendent OF
Norfolk County. discussed the coun-
~ as unit OF financial support. An
efficient school system. he said. de-
ponds upon the financial support
given IL. The present system. he
said, was top-hcavy, and the county
should be adoptd as tn unit for a.
nancial support. He declared there
should be no district lines; that the
public should be allowed to enter
any school In tho county. irrespcc-
tive OF the district In which they
live.