The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-14
SENATOR FLETCHER'S VIEWS
ON TOWNER-STERLING BILL

Washington, April 12-When asked
regarding the provisions of the
Demonstrating bill and his attitude
toward same, Senator Fletcher of
Florida said
"The bill proposes to create a de-
partment of education, to authorize
appropriations for the conduct of said
department, to authorize appropria-
ton of money to encourage the states
in the promotion and support of edu-
cation.
"Under its terms the federal gov
ernment would aid the states in GER
tain specified particulars, namely: in
the matter, first, of the removal Of il
literacy; second, the Americanization
of immigrants; third, providing bet
ter instruction, etc., in rural schools;
fourth, promoting physical education;
and, fifth, the preparation of compe-
tent teachers for the public schools.
"The bill does not provide any
standard or authorize the secretary of
education to prescribe any standard;
on the contrary, it is provided, with
reference to each of the purposes for
which appropriations are authorized,
that, the state and local educational
authorities Of said state shall deter
mine the courses of study, plans, and
methods of carrying out the purposes
of this section within said state in
accordance with the laws thereof
at is further provided that, all the
educational facilities encouraged by
the provisions of this act and accepted
by a state shall be organized, super
vised and administered exclusively by
the legally constituted state and local
educational authorities Of said state,
and the secretary OF education shall
exercise no authority in relation there
to; and this act shall not be con-
strued to imply federal control Of edu-
cation within the states, nor to impair
the freedom of the states in the con-
duct and management of their respec-
tive school system
"There is, as the bill now reads, no
warrant for the statement made by
those who have not carefully consid-
cred its provisions that there is to be
set up a federal standard of educa-
tion which the states must comply
with before they can share in appro-
priations made by Congress.
at is optional with any state as to
whether or not it will accept the ben
efits of the act and appropriate fol
any or all of the particular purposes
mentioned in the bill an amount OF
money equal to that appropriated by
Congress and apportioned to the state
under the terms of the act.
"The bill introduced by Senator
Sterling on April 27, 1921, was re-
ferred to the committee on education
and labor, but has not yet been re
ported by the committee, and 1t |:
quite impossible to say when 1t viii
be reported or what provisions it viii
contain to be finally voted on.
at may be said, however, that &C
tion on the bill by the committee ha
been delayed awaiting report Of tn,
joint congressional committee on re
organization of the government de
partments-to include department o.
education, which is in the hands o:
the president but has not been mad,
public.
"I was chairman of the board O
: public instruction for Duval county
Florida, for six years, and have al
ways favored liberal treatment TO
4. agencies and means of promoting edu
cation; and, if the bill to be voted ol
does not intrench on the rights, pow
ers and duties of the states-does no
west authority in the federal govern
ment to dictate the course of study
the methods and practice, terms an,
requirements, directions and full con
troll by state authorities as to tn
management of schools, shall favo
its Dassape0