The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-05-18

investigation will disclose it that our schools
are unnecessarily expensive and at tho same
tlmo failing shor, OF those results which we
have a rlght 10 demand
The great objective Of primary instruction is
to cultivate the youthful mind thoroughly in
the "threo RS" Doubtless there have been i'm.
provements made IN both textbooks and teach
ing methods since tho days Of wobsters old
blue-back spelling book; but u does not follow
by any means that every 'ad suggested by gen
tlcmcn moro alort 10 their own opportunities
than the public needs. is worthy Of adoption.
or that everything adopted by another com-
muniy Is worthy OF introduction into our school
system,
II the tcachers are not only freed as much AZ
possible from activities not directly bearing on
their work with their pupils but arc required
TO gve closer attention to their pupils. a very
long step will havo been taken towards neces-
sary reform. Ia precisely the same manner
should tho pupils be loft NJ free ms possible 20
dircc, their attention and their energies 20 ac-
auirlng Information from the book. Thor
ouRhnoss does not seem 10 be an outstanding
achievement ~ our modern educational
mcthoda
Now that tho storm Of personalities and
prejudice has blown over tho time has come
for constructive. harmonious effort We DO not
mink that ~ necessarily follows that any ud-
vIduul should bo fired" n thorough. dis
passionate investigation was had Il would prob
ably disclose that there has been much merit
ON both s.doa, much that Is udcfonsIblo on both
tldcq And. TO he perfectly plain about H..
some almighty healthy lying on both sides.
TO condemn tho principals Tor playing politics
without condcmnlng also tho superintendent
for settling up q nice little political machine.
not only falls short of justice. but becomes
Frotesque Injustice. Tho truth Is that all sides
played politics entirely too much. n condition
for which the board is directly responsible.
Little progress can be achieved by attempt
Ing to fix responsibility for what is now ancient
history. But with the dcplorable record he
fore II tho board will he either willfully ncgii-
gent OF ita plain duty or too cowardly to face
that duty II It doca not Immediately take steps
90 bring order out of chaos and prevent n rep
ctltlon OF that record IN the future
superintendent Oberholtzer has n year yet to
serve. Short of insubordinatlon to tho boards
instructions and orders he should he permitted
TO serve that time with tho utmost cooperation
Of all concerned. Whether nm invitation shall
bs extended him TO serve additional time Is n
matter that may well he left to the Immediate
future TO determine.
The principals, OF even greater Importance TO
the school system than a superintendent
should likewise be required to withdraw into
their proper channels of activity and give their
wholesome and loyal support to both superin-
tcndent and board. Above every other con-
sdernton should ho that on tho part of school
board and public to heal rather than excite
the public dstemper: to avoid n further dsrup-
tlon Of tho school system instead of doing
things which will contribute to such a deplor-
able condition. This best be done--t can
only be done--hy keeping in mind the school
system itself and losing sight completely of the
personal element, and by n realization that the
conflicting Views OF great composite clector-
ate arc to be rcconclled.
The world sincerely believes that the board
will function in the interest OF tho schools. II
Ia does, II will have the unqualified support
not only OF The world but the entire citizen
ship OF Tulsa; II It does not, It will have the
immediate condemnation of both