Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-09-27
ILLITERACYFAST DISAPPEARING
IN VIRGINIA, HART DECLARES
Superintendent of Schools, in Speech Staunon De-
clarcs Criticism Made by Republicans Are Based on
Figures Which DO Not Account for Late Progress
Especial 10 The Times-Dispa,ch. !

Especial TO The Times -Dspatchl
STAUNTON. VA. Sept 26.-That
Colonel Henry w. Anderson. Rcpub-
lean nominee or Governor, had de-
cinrcd before a Farmvillr aud
his shame OF the United states flag
| because OF the star representing IA
state so mnrcpubiican, s0 deSpotic
and so disgraccful as Virginia." and
| that such a man was unfit 20 bv GOV
cinor of Virginia. was the message
| brought to Staunton aud Augusta
County voters by state Senator c.
O'conor GOoirick. of Frederick burg,
! nj addressing a macs meeting this
! morning In the county courthouse.
! Senator Goodrich reviewed what he
/ termed the magnificent achieve
| mcnts" of the Democrats in Virginia
! during the past thirty years. "a rec
ord. he said. of which no Democrat
need ."cl ashamed.
! Superintendent IInrt speaks.
! Harris Hart. Superintendent OF
! Public Instruction. was another
epcakcr AT ,oday's Democratic meet
/ ing accomplishments OF tho public
| school administration during the
! past ten years were reviewed by Mr..
! Hart; I'VE have "A lonI way to go"
! said Mr.. Hart. we have serious prob
| lens 10 meet, and there is much to
do, but We ar" steadily advancing
toward our goal"
! Analyzing the Republican platform
| with reference TO public schools. Mr..
| Hart saih that every recommends
ton In IL had previously been made
by "A comnIss!ou appointed TO study
| tho situation TWO years ago Ia the
| Virginia Assembly. and that plans
| u.
| the recommendations.
| Il would not 20 40 far as 10 say
they copied the commissions report.
but their platform shows that they
must hav. given II very careful
reading" the speaker eaid.
Iiiit-rn,-s Fewer In Number.
MIR Hart said, In part:
"'rhc number Of ill!tcratcs In V,r-
rln!a. from ~ TO % years Of age.
was In 1910 $500. or about II per
cent of tho total school population.
In 1920 the number OF ill!,cratcs had
been reduced to 2S.90o. or "a per
cent or the school population. Owing
To constitutional limitations I'VE have
not recn nblc to enact effective at
tendance laws. The record OF Vir-
cin!n In the last ten years In rc-
ducinc its illitrracy from II to I per
cent without adequate cOmpulsoi y
laws is nne characteristic Of the
educational improvement In this
state"
1T ought TO be n matter OF great
interest TO the people OF this Com.
monwraith TO know that these Inn
prnvcmcnts In public school facilities
have been made nj minimum o
overhead expense The amount 70,
the salaries Of division supcrintend
cuts. or expenses Of school boards
for clerks aud rtcnorraphcrs. and tn,
entire expenses Of your State De
partmeut OF Education !s only 2
per cent OF tho annual cxpcnditur.
for public education. In the fac. o.
an apparent fact like this, IL is shc.,
nonsense and reckless assumption q
declare that tho peoples money IL
this state IL being wasted or suuan
dcrcd
Makes Good It-rord.
The record in Virginia compare,
fuvornbly with that OF other states
Iarticulnrly when IL IN noted tina
Virginia has been compelled 10 on
crate on "A Very much lower pc
capita rate The cost per pupu on
rolled In Virginia In 1920 wac SIS 90