The New York herald., 1921-12-19
SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS
FOUND PRO-BRITISH
Elementary Grade L. S. His
tories Objects of Special
Criticism.
AUTHORS MAY FIGHT
Attempt by School Board to
Rewrite Chapters Will
Be Opposed.
TEXTS ARE ACCURATE
But subcommittee Holds
That Certain Clauses Are
Inappropriate.
TEXTS ARE ACCURATE

public school pupils of this city con-
tinues to develop unexpected turns,
and the outcome. it was indicated yes
terday, is quite likely to be totally
different from that expected when the
committee undertook its work of in
vestigation.
When William Ettinger, superin-
tendent of schools, appointed twenty
one principals and school teachers of
various religious denominations and
political ideas to sift charges that dis
tinct pro-British leanings were evil
dent in many of the text books used
for teaching history in the schools, it
was regarded by many as mere mat
ter of formality and the general opin-
ion among educational authorities was
that it would be only brief time
before the disputed books would re-
ceive a clean bill of health. Most Of
the charges were looked on as un-
founded, exaggerated and hardly
worthy OF consideration.
1t was learned yesterday. however,
that the subcommittee of the Commit
tee of Twenty-one. which has been in
vestigating the elementary grade books,
unanimously has upheld charges against
certain passages in these books. and
the members will recommend that
either changes or deletions be made
before they are acceptable as sources
of instruction.
These views will be placed before the
entire committee at the next meeting
and then transmitted to the Board OF
Superintendents. who will make the
final decision. In view of the unanimity
with which the members of the SUBJ
committee condemn the alleged PRO
British" and "un-American" sentiments
expressed in these books, it is regarded
probable that the general committee
will make its report along the same
lines.
Histories Are Attacked.
The most important work of the in
vestigation fell to the subcommittee
dealing with elementary grade books.
as 1t was upon the books used in these
grades that the majority of the criticism
was leveled. They are "A History
OF the United Stateas." by Prof. Albert
Bushnell Hart of Harvard University:
Our United States" by Prof. William
3. Gutteau, superintendent of Schools,
Toledo Ohio: "A History of the United
C. Mclaughlin of the University Of
Chicago and Claude II. Van Tyne of
the University of Michigan; "Banes's
American History" by Everett Barnes,
principal Of Public School % in Brook
lyn.
I'VE do not anticipate any trouble
with authors or publishers of these
books said member of the commit
tee yesterday. 1T must be remembered
r.-a re dealing with tba ronliIa tion n
cosmopolitan city and the children
OF these parents must be taught 100
per cent. Americanism and respect for
law and order We have a special
problem in this city and statement
that might be perfectly proper in a
small New England village might be
out OF place in the schools of New York.
We can't allow books to come into the
classrooms that would give the child
any erroneous ideas OF American in
stitutions or customs
Just what changes are to be requested
In these textbooks will not be known
until the committee has made its re-
port, but II can be stated authoritatively
that both the Barnes history and the
Mclaughlin and Van Tyne history are
due for a severe grilling.
Texts Are Accurate.
Edward Mandel, district superintend-
ent In Queens. who is chairman Of the
entire committee. stated last night that
the committee did not question the &C
curacy of the texts, but objections were
made to the appropriateness" of in
cluding certain clauses.
The criticisms against tho books con
tain numerous complaints. ranging from
elimination OF the death OF Nathan Hale
to bitter condemnation of passages re-
ferring 20 John Hancock as "a SNUG
| gler" and praise of the valor of British
! soldiers In various battles fought dur
ing the Revolution.
There Is a possibility that when the
time comes TO demand certain changes
the board of superintendents may not
find the publishers of the books in such
n docle attitude as seemed to be ex-
pected by members of the sub-commit-
tee. Several officials of reputable book
concerns involved in the controversy
when questioned yesterday were In
olined TO belittle the charges. and, while
| they expressed q willingness 10 coop
| crate with the committee i'm every in
stance they upheld the authors OF tho
books accepted for publication.
Francis G.. wiclvware editor OF y.
Appleton q Co. publisher OF tho Me-
Laughlin and Van Tyne book. expressed
complete confidence in all the state
/
| out that Prof. Van Tyne is one OF the
most profound students OF history in
this country. being now engaged in an
authoritative history Of the American
Revolution.
1--WE would rather withdraw our books
from the market" said Mr.. Wichwarc.
than have them rewritten for the bene-
AZ OF any particular class Of people.
From our point OF view the criticisms
seemed puerilc and futile, and we did
not believe the attacks were made In
good faith We have been treated with
every courtesy by the committee, and
we believe they are sincely trying TO do
the best they can"
w H. Pulsifer. president ot n. g.
Heath & Co. tho publisher Of tho much
criticized Barnes's History. also de-
clined 10 regard the controversy as one
Of serious Importance.
1.-THE whole thing Is ridiculous" he
said. Historians are not going to write
books 10 please n certain political party
or religious denomination. and no ono
can compel them 20 do this. They will
continue 10 write them as they always
havc---to present an accurate picture OF