Evening star., 1925-10-25
EVOLUTION BANNED
IN TEXAS SCHOOLS
All Reference to Subject Or
dered Oeleted From
Books.
Special Dispatch to The Star.


AUSTIN, Tex. October 24.-So far
as the school children of Texas are
concerned they will not be given an
opportunity to learn from text books
that such a thing as the theory of
evolution exists. At the recent meet
ing of the state Text Book Board.
presided over by Gov. Miriam A.
Ferguson, il was ordered that all ref
erence to evolution in the books adopt
ed for use in the schools be eliminated
by the publishers before they are de-
livered. Three chapters in one Of the
books. Biology for Beginners. by
Truman ]. Moon, We're ordered cut
out. These chapters deal with the
subject of evolution. Among the parts
to he deleted We're the following:
with an eGotism which is entirely
unWarranted, we are accustomed to
speak of man and animals whereas
we ought to say man and other ami.
mails for certainly man is an animal
just as truly as the beast of the field.
Principles Cut Out.
Under the heading of The Idea OF
Evolution" it is declared las soon as
man became intelligent enough to
make comparison between himself and
other animals, the reSemblances be
came apparent and led to the idea
that some relationship must exist
with lower forms. Two thousand years
ago the Greeks discussed this fact
and advanced various theories to ac-
count for tt"
1t is further declared in the objec.
tionable chapters that very gradu-
ally information accumulated and the
theory that not only man but all liv-
ing things. both plant and animal. are
not only related, but actually descend
ed from common ancestors. This is
called the theory of descent or evolu-
ton
Excerpt From Chapter.
An excerpt from the chapter on
''The Method of Evolution" on Oar
wins theory of evolution, reads:
This theory is the corner stone of
all recent science and the foundation
of all modern thought. 1t is not con-
fined to biology alone, but has infiu.
enced almost every branch of science
In it's broader features 1t Is accepted
by every biologist, although there are
many details still to he worked out
An outline is given of the chief
factors assigned by Darwin ito ac-
count for the development of new
species from ancestry"
The following are given in the
book as things that evolution does
not teach" and must be deleted:
That living or extinct forms can
be arranged in a straight line of de-
scent, each descended from its prede
cessor.
That man is descended from a
monkey.
THAT God can be left out Of the
scheme Of creation. Much opposition
was made to Darwin's work on this
score by people who purposely or
through ignorance misinterpreted his
conclusions. While we cannot go into
the argument here, rest assured that
In the minds Of the greatest scientists
and philosophers there Is no conflict
between the conclusions Of science and
religion.
ITO quote Davenport, The Creator
is still at work, and not only the
forces Of nature but man himself
work with God in still further improv-
ing the earth and the living things
which it support
What the Chapter Held.
A summary of the Objectionable
chapter on the development of civil
lied man" follows:
Records of ancient man from writ
ten history, monuments and inscrip-
tions, stone implements and remains.
characteristics of primitive man;
brain larger than other animals; brain
smaller than present man; low fore
head and sloping brow: heavy Jaw and
receding chin.
Stages of development in occupa-
tion: Primitive man without weapons
or fire: hunter using spear, bow and
arrow, able to control fire; herdsmen
wandering for food supplies, domesti-
cation of animals; cultivator of the
soil; permanent home, crops stored
for future.
Stages of development in imple-
ments used: Primitive man without
implements, old stone age; new stone
age; age of metals, copper, bronze and
iron.
Results Of present high mental de-
velopment: Body less strong and
hardy; brain greatly developed and
maybe oyerWorked.