The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-04-08
CORRECTS
WRONG IMPRESSION
Senior Senator From Florida Tells of
His Attitude Toward Towner-
Sterling Bill.


WASHINGTON April t-When
asked today regarding the provisions
of the Towner-Sterling bill and his
attitude toward same, Senator Fletch-
er of Florida said:
THE bill proposes to create de-
partment of education, to authorize
appropriations for the conduct of said
department, to authorize the appro-
priation Of money to encourage the
states in the promotion and support
of education.
Under it's terms the federal gov
eminent would aid the states in GER
tain specified particulars, namely: in
the matter, first, of the removal OF
illiteracy; second, the Americaniza-
ton of immigrants; third, providing
better instruction, etc, in rural
schools; fourth, promoting physical
education, and fifth, the preparation
of competent teachers for the public
schools.
1.-THE bill does not provide any
standard or authorize the secretary of
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 ac-
cordance with the laws thereof
ut 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 construed
to imply federal control of education
within the states, nor to impair the
freedom of the states in the conduct
and management of their respective
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-
ton which the states must comply
with before they can share In appro-
priattons made by congress.
1T is optional with any state as to
whether or not it will accept the ben
efits of the act and appropriate for
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 81. 1921. was re-
ferred to the committee on education
and labor, but has not yet been re-
ported by the COMMITTEE, and it Is
quite impossible to say when it will be
reported or what provisions it will
contain to be finally voted on.
ut may be said, however, that ac-
ton on the bill by the committee has
been delayed awaiting report of the
Joint congressional committee on re-
organization Of the government de-
partments-to include a department of
education. which is in the hands of the
president but has not been made pub
lie.
"I was chairman of the board of
public instruction for Duval county,
Florida, for six years, and have always
favored liberal treatment for agencies
and means Of promoting education;
and. If the bill to be voted on does not
intrench on the rights, powers and
duties of the states-does not vest au-
thority in the federal government to
dictate the course of study, the meth
DDS and practice, terms and require
ments, directions and full control by