The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-10-15
Topeka Ready for the Coming
of the Teachers.
Thousands VIII Be Here First
Week in November.
THE FIFTY-EIGHTH CONVENTION
The Program viii Excel Any
thing Previously Attempted.
Distinguished Lecturers and
Educators To Be Here.

this time, practically half of the
teachers of Kansas attending the state
convention will be guests of Topeka
during those three days.
But there are a number of reasons
why the other cities cannot draw the
teachers away from Topeka. The
teachers out in northwestern Kansas
come here despite the fact that Salina
is nearer, because the main line of the
Rock Island railroad to Colorado
drains the northern tier of counties
and gives the best railroad connec-
tons. This is true also with other
lines. The Union Pacific runs thru
Topeka and aItho farther south than
the Rock Island it cuts into the Salina
meetings. Altho Salina may win Dick
inson county all those on the Union
Pacific east of Junction City will come
to Topeka. The same is true on the
Frisco, Katy and Santa Fe roads run
ming directly into Kansas City. The
teachers in Miami, Franklin and COT
fey counties will come to Topeka
rather than go to Pittsburg. The main
line of the Santa Fe runs to Wichita.
and while Wichita will draw Lyon
county and possibly Marion county, if
the distance and other things are equal
the teachers will come to Topeka.
Topeka's situation on railroads is ad-
mirable
Tho Mother of All.
There are still other reasons. To
peka is the capital city. The teachers
come here to meet their friends. To-
peka has entertained the teachers so
long that a spirit of hospitality per-
vades There are twice as many
banquets and reunions here as in the
other cities. Among the different col
leges holding annual banquets mere
are: Kansas university, Ottawa, Baker,
X S. A. c., College of Emporia, EN-
Doria Normal While there are other
meetings the Topeka convention is
looked to as the mother convention
as the first conventions were held
here.
while the program of the conven-
ton is always strong. it will be strong
er than ever before this year. The
speakers secured are not merely
schoOItea cheers. they are big men. The
teachers derive benefits not only from
hearing the speakers at the cOnven-
ton but by meeting their friends and
other teachers and discussing their
various problems.
While there are four general ses-
sions, five big department meetings.
and twenty-five round table meetings,
a large number of imported speakers,
and hundreds of Kansas speakers, a
large number of benefits are derived
from what is not on the program.
The teachers come in contact with
their friends and the Topeka conven-
ton is looked upon as a family re-
union of the teachers of Kansas.
Many Reunions.
Among the reunions are: The Fort
Hays Normal school, Kansas Univer
sity, Kansas State normal of Emporia,
Ottawa university, state Manual
Training school at Pittsburg the Kan
sas division of the National Council of
Administrative Women in Education,
Baker university grade teachers.
teachers of agriculture. biology and
physiology, music teachers, art teach
ers, home economies teachers. rural
educators and science teachers.
Some of the biggest men of the
Cor0+rv are on the program. Among
these are: Clarence S. barrow, of
en-. ago; Raymond Robbins, who was
sent to Russia by the United States
government to study conditions there;
Thomas Wilfred, known as the mod
ern troubadOur; President John L.
HilIman of Simpson college. Indian
ola, Ia; John r. Powell, principal of
Sedan high school, St. Louis; Supt.
William S. Gray; Edna Dean Baker of
the National Kindergarten and Ele-
mentary college, of Chicago. and Pres.
H. W. Fought, of the Northern Nor
NAL and Industrial school at Aber-
deem, S. D.
The Speakers.
Clarence S. barrow of Chicago is
known as n great lawyer and indus
trial leader. For more than a gener-
alton Darrow has been known as the
brilliant counsel for the labor forces.
He has a practice in Chicago that
amounts to more than $4,000 a year,
yet he devotes a portion of his time to
literature. Some of his books are:
"Farmington," and "a Persian Pearl
and Other Essays"
Raymond Robbins started life as
newsboy on Chicago streets. He went
to the Yukon and found a fortune in
the gold fields. He has been activa
in the civic and political life of the
country. He was one of the late ex-
President Roosevelts closest friends
The United States government sent
him to Russia to study conditions
there and in the Orient.
There are few lecturers in the
United States who have won the repu-
tation which Edward Howard Griggs
has Won and fewer still have the
loyal following that he has had, and
continues to have in undiminshed
numbers.
Thomes Wilfred is known as a mod
ern troubadour. He plays a twelve
string arch lutte that is over two hun
dred years old and sings old songs and
ballads of English and Danish and
French origin.
A speaker who will appeal to all
who are interested in the high school
problem is John r. Powell, who is
principal of Sedan high school, St.
Louis. Powell has made special
study of the high school curriculum
in the light of present day problems.
Edna Dean Baker is president of the
National kindergarten and Elemen-
tary college of Chicago. She is. with
out doubt. one of the most widely
known authorities in the country on
the work of the kindergarten and pri-
mary grades.
President H. W. Fought of the
Northern Normal and Industrial
school at Aberdeen, S. D.. is well
known to Kansas school people, for
he at one time taught in one of the
small denOminatiOnal colleges of the
state. For several years Fought was
one Of the rural school experts of the
federal bureau Of education