The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-06
WANT COUNTY SCHOOL
 HEAD SYSTEM SAME
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 none during tho war. Work did not begin in reality until 1880, he said. Since that time the achievements in public education in Alabama have been great indeed. he declared.
 The state superintendent cited the reduction in percentage of illitrates in the state in 30 years as an evidence of ths educational advancement of the state. In 1890, according to the United States census. more than IS per cent of the whites in Alabama were illiterate. In 1920 this had been cut to 6.4 per cent. The reduction in the number of adult illiterates an nually Is from 5000 to 10000" he said. 'If we had the money by the time the next census is taken white adult illiteracy in the state could be wiped out completely"
 Must Have More Money.
 Alabama spends approximately sl2,000,000 a year on education, he said. while certain other states hav- ing about the same population spend more than s75.o00,000 annually. It the state is to progress in education an opportunity for education the schools must have more money, the speaker said. He reminded the asso- clation that the present administra tion was pledged to the cause of edu- cation and that Governor Brandon had promised to sign no appropria- tion measures of any consequence until provisions for more funds for the schools had been made.
 The first general session of the forty-second convention was inaugu- rated at 2:e0 o'clock. with Miss Lula Bradford of Birmingham. first vice president, presiding. By 2:15 o'clock the large auditorium of the Masonic temple. which seats moro than 3.00u persons, was filled. Two selections by the Grammar School orchestra of the Birmingham schools started the meeting. Then came group sing ing under tho direction of O. Gordon Erickson. municipal music director of Birmingham.
 Welcome Address.
 Invocation ny Dr. Guy F. snavely, president of Birmingha m- Southern college. preceded short talk by Miss Bradford. in which she intro duced pr. c. B. Glenn. superintend- Glenn extended the greetings of the city to the convention and presented Albert L. Reese. secretarytreasurer of the Masonic temple, who welcomed the convention on behalf of the Ill., 900 Masons who meet at the temple. Masonry has always stood for public schools" MT. Reese said. portunity to have you hold your meetings here before the temple has been dedicated and before work has really been completed on the audi torium where you are meeting"
 The address of J. Alex Moore, Of Jasper, president of the association, was one of the features of the days meeting The president favored uni versal education and urged teachers of the state to reconsecrate them selves to the work of education.
 T am not an educational reforme r and have nothing startling to recom- mend; I am not chronic pessimist and therefore have nothing particular to condemn" he said in opening his address.
 Teachers and pupils arc the bull warks of the nation" Mr. Moore de- clared. Ignorance, idleness and vice are Its greatest foes and we must pre- pare for overcoming them.
 We are facing crisis In Ala bama's history and If we are to save the state and it's youth we must have an adequate system of education Mir. Moore touched on the proposed change in the mode of electing coun- ty superintendents when he said: "The ebb and flow of public opin- ion may wreck education"
 Visit City Schools.
 Delegates to the convention spent Thursday morning in group meet ings and In visiting Birmingham g schools. The visiting teachers were guests of citizens of Birmingham. who furnished cars for their trips to the schools.
 Friday mornings session of the convention is expected to bring to light any friction existing among educational forces in the state which are said to be working In harmony. The morning session of the confer ence has been designated as the citi- zens' conference on education. This conference was called by Gov. W. W. Brandon in order to learn the desires of the citizens of the state relating to school matters. It Is ex. pected that the question of additional { taxes and the mode of selecting coun- ty school superintendents will be the topics of discussion at the con- ference.
 Governor Brandon will address tho citizens conference Friday morning and will address the general ses- sion of the convention Friday night. Prof Zenos E. Scott, superintendent of schools of Louisville, Ky, will be