The New York herald., 1922-06-19
Report Sets Up Principles
to Govern Eligibility for
Classroom Use.
PUBLISHERS THREATENED
Generally Gave In When
Books Were to Be With
drawn for Showing Bias.

0Aucf lllTcdl Ol DoyCOiL oL tiitlt
books in the city schools. authors and
publishers of history textbooks have
agreed to be guided in the future by
principles laid down in the report of
teachers and principals who made an
exhaustive survey of the books. After
many weeks of conference the pub
fishers agreed to use the report as u
eliminating many features and COR
recting many omissions which have
been the cause OF complaint
The report and the setting up of the
tngs promise hereafter to be kept out
of the textbooks intended for the
teaching of American children is con-
sidered the most important result of
mittee stated that their investigation
was made with an eye solely to the
peculiar problems of New York city,
but In commencing the thoroughness
with which the task was performed
DR.. William L. Ettinger, Superinten-
dent Of Schools, declared that the re-
port might well serve as a guide for
textbook qualifications throughout the
country
The theory upon which DR.. Ettinger
acted In instituting the inquiry after re-
ceiving complaints about the methods of
history teaching from various sources
was: ITO present to our children, under
the specious plea OF historical accuracy
the mistakes nfirmities, or peccadilloes
of men, who because of their great quail
tiles rather than their weaknesses were
creative and inspirational forces in our
national life. would do irreparable dam
age not only TO the pupils but to our
country"
The committee went far afield in its
investigation, reviewing not only those
textbooks criticised for being flagrantly
pro- British or overcritical of past events
in American history. but a great many
other books about which no claims were
made and which were not hitherto sus-
pected of containing any material detri-
mental to youthful consumption in the
elementary classes.
The result was that surprising num-
ber of books were found 10 be inappro-
pirate for use from one cause or an
other, and in the opinion of principals
and educators the inquiry was one of
the most salutary surveys that have
ever been made in the school system.
For example. the committee found
that textbooks were being made vehicles
for Socialist propaganda and the dissem-
ination of radical utterances that had
no place in the classrooms The His
tory of the United States" by Charles
A. Beard, one-tfrle member of the Rand
School and later associated with the
School for Social Science. was found to
be in general use, and was condemned
for its incomplete portrayal of Socialist
aims
When the writer of a textbook dis
cusses Karl Marx or the Socialist party."
the review states "the committee is de-
eidedly of the opinion that mild allusions
or half truths are not enough but that
the exposition should be SO far complete
as to make entirely clear the un-Ameri-
can character Of the organization. plat
form and policies Of the Socialist party
In this particular respect the book fails"
The criticism OF Vests History OF
the United States" shows clearly the
manner in which the committee differ
entiates between a book written for
adult consumption and filled with the
personal views of the author and those
intended for elementary schools where
ldcts are accepted on their face value
In discussing this book the committee
writes:
From the point of view of the adult
this book has many virtues. On the
other hand, from the standpoint of the
average pupil in the New York public
schools. the book has serious faults.
I'm the first place 1t is not a prime
function Of a public school textbook
in a cosmopolitan city like New York
TO promote especial friendship with any
one nation. 1t is questionable whether
II is advisable to go out of our way to
portray the weaknesses. blunders and
sins of democracy Had we none but
generous minded youth to deal with
in our schools. no doubt the authors
faith in the value of such material
would be Justifiable.
The Mixed Population,