Evening star., 1924-07-16

In his address to the National
Education Association at Warrington
President Coolidge advocated some
excellent ideas on the subject OF edu-
cation in the opinion of the press, al
though there are differences OF opin-
ion over the Presidents suggestion
that a federal department of educa-
ton. with a cabinet minister at its
head, should be created.
As the Boston Transcript Cndepend-
ent Republican, sees it, "in the wholly
admirable address which President
Coolidge made before the National Ed
ucation Convention, three points were
outstanding. reassuring and inspiring
The first of these had to do with the
much debated matter OF federal de-
partment of education. which the
Transcript approves because ''he makes
it clear that this does not mean any
interference with the local control
which sweeps away the ground or
opposition" The second point hao TO
do with the equalization OF state sup
port Of schools, which Is "heartenlng
to observe that the President iuily
appreciates this need. and says plump
II that the state treasury should be
called upon to supply the deficiency
in the poorer districts. Tne thlr0
point is that there must be moral
and spiritual Influences in the tram n
in vain" The Seattle Times Gndepend-
ent Republican, particularly notes the
importance Of thrift, industry ana moran
training in the preparation OF tne
children for American citizenship, as
set forth in the Presidents speech.
| %.F
Education should first OF all de-
velop capacity for self-discipline and
seff-control, and should socialize and
hunanize men and women In oroer
to fit them for a rational and truly
civiliged life," according to the Cni-
believes "all that Mr.. Coolidge said
to the conference on these vital points
was true and most timely. but 1t does
not follow that the Sterling Reed
bill, which would establish a federal
department Of education with caol-
net officer at its head, would be
step in the right direction" and "this
particular conclusion does not flow
from Mr.. Cooiidge'S premises" The Ohio
State Journal (RepubafcAn) fears that
"a national department of education
with as desirable q plum as a cabinet
office connected Herewith would lead
Inevitably in time to the standardiza-
ton. of education in this great, -di-
verse country, to the breakdown OF
local control over this most important
of all activities, to added hoedes OF
incompetent efficiency experts and
federal inspectors, to. hundreds OF
millions of dollars year extra tor
the taxpayer to provide for the main
tenance Of another huge political
bureau."
Although the LAnsinE State journal
| ffndependent) mentions the same OBJ
| fections, 1t holds 'stfIefe Is need for
equality o( opportunity in securing
| this equtpment for the life struggle
there ougft to be unity Of effort and
agreement on general principles, and
| this can only be brought about by
national enactment" therefore, "such
a federal department is necessary
| but it must not be political. 1t should
not change with new administration
| If making 1t a cabinet ONCE would
transfer It to the realm OF partisan.
ship, then it would be q mistake
1t will, Of course, create a lot Of new
offices, continues the Saginaw News
Courier independently but 1T will
| more strikingly recognizes the i'm
portance of educational eAoft. and II
| is promised that It does pof mean
| any interference with the local con-
| troll ana dignity wh3GA tS Of the
utmest fnportance, for. fese m, edu-
' cation Is . state functt0G tAcugh one