Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-07-01
MILLION TEACHERS
IN MOVE FOR PEACE,
| n. {. A INFORMED
PacifiSm Denied, But Need
of "NationaI Defense Day"
Is Repudiated.
4,300, 900 ILLITERATES
TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT
Rural Schools Found Backward in
Teaching Ability and Material
Equipment.


quietly working for a great program
OF international peace. Augustus Q.
Thomas. state commissioner of edu
cation of Maine, revealed at the first
business session of the representative
assembly of the National Education
association in sixty-second annual
convention today in the auditorium
of Central High School.
These teachers, representing the
United Stat China, japan, Scotland
the British Isles, Germany. Norway.
Sweden. Belgium, Italy. Greece and
Mexico, through the World Fedora
ton Of National Education Associa
tons, DIR. Thomas declared, have
mapped out definite program for
world peace, which incorporates the
Following salient planks:
Five Points in Program.
l. The codifcation of international
law.
2. A world court
3. Continuation of conferences be-
tween the nations.
4. Further reduction of armament
3. Open diplomacy.
The teachers want peace and will
continue to work for it, but they want
peace with honor" said Commission
single issue of the age. The teach
ers nate war, but our teachers Will
night for America il the nation is en-
dangered."
Commissioner Thomas strongly en-
phasized that the teachers Of Amer
lea do not believe it is necessary to
mobilize the forces of war ito show
the people of this country and others
our strength. They know it, he
added.
Against "Defense Day
America is a patriotic nation and
velop the spirit of preparedness and
show other nations that we can take
care of ourselves. We must have rea-
sonable preparedness and believe our
government will have no trouble in
providing it. In these days of sus-
picion and distrust it would not re-
quire much display of military spirit
to throw the world into. an armed
camp.
'-On the other hand. the extreme
paciffst' doctrine is as vicious as the
extreme military doctrine. We
would not leave our country without
adequate defense. There is danger
that we may go too far in relieving
pages. History should be truthful and
there should be a proper balance in
teaching the patriotism of both war
and peace. We should not forget the
courage and patriotism of our soldiers
and sailors. which inspire US to noble
deeds and to an appreciation of the
cost of the privileges we enjoy.
Approve World Conference.
The report on the World Fedora
tion of National Education Associa-
tions, which called upon the presi-
dent of the N. E. A to appoint dele
gates to the world conference on
education in Edinburgh, Scotland. in
by the general assembly. The asso-
citation also voted to continue its
membership in the world federation.
There seems to be definite place
for education in bringing about the
shall prevail among nations" said
Commissioner Thomas report. I'm
like great movements generally, there
has been little willful attempt to
misunderstood the real import and
purpose of the federation. The vol
untary association of nations on such
a universal subject as education ap-
pears highly desirable and offers little
grounds for misapprehension on the
part of those who are fearful lest
we become entangled in embarrassing
alliances.
Work Against Intolerance.
1T would seem fundamental that
the teacher believes in her work; that
ideals may be taught, that education
will have it's influence in the future
of civilization and upon such reason
able and just programs as may be
promulgated by statecraft and dipio-
macy. The fact that civilization.
which we sometimes think is old, is
really adolescent, requires that the
teaching mind avoid extremes, keep
level. adhere to the golden mean. and
hold always to a safe and secure
policy of honor and Justice"
Amplifyfng his report, DR.. Thomas
also declared that the teachers have,
above every other class, the power to
wipe out the spirit of intolerance.
confidently. f7s
The first business session OF the
general assembly was devoted en-
tirely to the acceptance of reports
presented by committee chairmen. In
addition DR.. Thomas. the reports
accepte ere those submitted By
Mrs. ID :. Bradford, state super
intend Of public Instruction OF
Colorado, on Classroom Teachers
Problems. Harold w. Foght of the
Northern Normal and Industrial
School of Aberdeen, South Dakota
on Rural Teachers Problems; Thorn
as ID. Wood of Columbia University.
on Health Problems in Education:
Effie MacGregor of the Longfellow
School of Minneapolis, Mimi, on
Character Problems in Education;
May Wade of the Emerson School or
Berkeley, Calf, on "A Code of Ethics
Stewart of Frankfort KY. on "Illit-
eracy."
DIR. Foght in his reporteon 4he nrcb-
iems OF the -4tfr4f steatlfef$ bU timed the