Evening star., 1922-01-12
STUDY
ESSAY Marketing
League Hears Statement in
Which Edwards Defends
His Business.

Investigation to determine whethe
the business of the Columbian Infor-
nation Bureau, of which Daniel A.
Edwards. former president of the
board Of education, is secretary, is
fethical or not, probably will be made
by the national executive committee
of the League of American Pen
Women
The question of making such an in
Vestigation was discussed yesterday
AFTERNOON at a special meeting of the
national legislative committee of the
league, which was called by Mrs w.
Atherton Du Puy. national president
Mr. Edwards, who resigned from the
school board as the result of criticism
OF the business of the information bu-
Teau. winch has sent out broadcast
throughout the country pamphlets ad-
Vertlslng the fact that it will write
essays tor school children for certain
stipulated sums. outlined the history
OF the bureau and described its work.
he later was questioned by the wom-
en-. and steadfastly maintained that
ms business was ethical
Tells About His staff.
Mrs. Du Puy questioned Mr.. Edwards
as To who wrote the numerous essays
advertised for sale by the information
bureau. He replied that he had a
stan of about twelve college gradu-
ates. composed of both men and
women. Several of the men are cler-
symen, while some of the others are
employed in the scientific departments
of the government.
we are doing a business which aids
very ma literally the schools and school
superintendents of this country" de-
clared MIR. Edwards. Il claim that
every free-born American should be
the judge of the product of his hands
and brains. l am aStoniShed to hear
objections to my business"
Nj. Edwards cXpid.au.u that he re-
signed from the school board on ac-
count Of the criticisms of his business
Il resigned. however" he said, "wita-
out any spirit of venom. My hair is
not turning white from worry about
Besides writing essays. Mr.. Ed
wards said that ais Du,.uu mad Pee
pared numerous speeches for members
of Congress. Some of these speeches.
he declared. have appeared in the
Congre ssional Record, each credited
| to tae individual for whom it was
written. and have been sent through
out the country for campaign pur-
poses
After he had answered questions as
to the methods employed in the writ
ing of the essays for persons who re-
nit the necessary sums with their or
dcrS. several members of the COM
mit.ee expressed their opinion of Mr..
Edwards business.
"Spirit Of Deception
Il believe the essays destroy the
greatest privilege of a school pupil
that is, digging up facts" said one.
The moral influence of the thing on
the child is unfair said another
Still another member expressed the
belief that the prepared essays would
cultivate spirit of d. 'ption among
the children. who would represent the
essays as the work of their own
brains.
! 1T is proper use to make of ones
BRAINS" rpiied Mr.. Edwards Il be-
lieve we have the right to sell the
product of our brains. II is an Ameri-
can right
Mrs. Du Puy explained that if the
proposed investigation Is maa. by the
lea que the organization would ask
the cooperation of the Authors
League.
Mrs Susie Root Rhodes. member of
the board of educa ton. said that she
believed the business of Mr.. Edwards
was ethical She also said that she be-
lieved her colleagues on the school
board held the same opinion.
Hairy Hidden Renuty il brOu hit IN