Evening star., 1927-10-17
TALK ON EDUCATION
BY YMASON|CLEADER
Scottish Rite Head Urges
Federal Supervision and
National University Here.

Establishment of a Department of
Education. with a secretary in the
Presidents cabinet, and of national
university in Washington, were urged
today at the opening session of the Su-
preme Council, Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, South
ern Jurisdiction, at the House of the
Temple, 1893 Sixteenth street, by
Grand Comdr. John II. Cowles, i'll his
ALLEGATION address.
He argued that the Curtis Reed bill,
introduced at the last session of Con-
gress, contains no provisions which
would permit interference with the
rights of the States in educational ar
fairs, and. insisted that there was no
foundation for the cries of "centrali-
Zation" and ''invasion of State s
rights" which have been raised against
the proposal for Department of Ed.
ucation.
Endorses Curtis-Reed Bill.
mo sincere person." he said, even
though an analyst, can ma the
slightest interference with the rights
of States in the Curtis-Reed bill, but
that does not matter to the opponents,
the claim that it does must be shouted
longer and louder and the real facts
in the measure may be covered up. The
number of those who have proclaimed
their opposition and who have never
read the bill nor are familiar with its
contents is surprisingly large. and as
a suggestion, the next time you nave
an argument with one who is against
the measure, inquire Of him II he has
read the bill"
During the coming Congress new
bill will be presented" he said, that
will presumably be the same as the
Curtis-Reed bill which was before the
last Congress. There is a good deal
of sentiment in favor of adding an
amendment providing for council
of State superintendents, or the high.
est elected or appointed State school
officials lin some States the hlghest
school officer is superintendent, IN
others commissioner, to meet an.
nually in Washington at the call of
the secretary"
Cites Gen. Washington's Bequest.
The grand commander said the need
of a national university in this city
had been realized and the idea pro-
posed by George Washington.
''He not only left a bequest for the
purpose" he said, but in more than
one of his messages to Congress he
called attention to the need of a ma
tional university. There is no ques.
ton Of the approval of such a uni
versity by jefferson, democracy's
great advocate, or by Gov. Brooks Of
Virginia, Chief Justices Jay, Rutledge,
Marshall and Chase and by at least
10 of Washlngton's successors"
The grand commander urged that
Americans keep always in mind the
duties and responsibilities OF citizen
ship and wide awake to the danger
of becoming lethargic in regard to
public questions.
thought to be indelibly imprinted"
he added, ION the mind of every
individual in the United States that
American citizenship is great prize
of incalculable value, of which he is
unworthy and should be deprived IL
he shirks his responsibilities, takes no
interest in public affairs, shows dis
regard of the laws or refuses to
exercise the great privilege Of the
ballot"
Pay Visit to Mount Vernon.
This afternoon a pilgrimage is
under way to Mount Vernon, where
a wreath is to be placed on the tomb
of George Washington, who was first
master Of Alexandria Lodge, Noe %.
A reception will be given by the
supreme council at the House of the
Temple at $50 o'clock tonight, to
which all master masons, their wives
and guests are invited.
Attending this bienniel session are
delegates from all parts of this
country, Canada and Mexico. Among
the features Of the session will be the
investure with rank Of knight com.
mander of the court of honor of those
members of the Scottish Rite whose
devotion to the fraternity and whose
acts of achievement have merited the
honor. and the comforting of the
thirty'third degree upon those who
have been designated by their res.
pective sovereign grand inspectors,
generals or deputies of the supreme
council to receive the highest honor
within the province of the supreme
council.
Memorial to Albert Pike.
Memorial services were held yester.
day afternoon at the House of the
Temple for Albert Pike, who was su.
preme sovereign commander of the
Southern Jurisdiction from 1859 to
1861. The principal address was made
by e. I. Meredith, former Secretary
OF Agriculture.
Albert Pike has done n great serv.
ice to Masons of all time in providing
through his many years Of painstaking
toll. a rare collection Of religious doc
trine and philosophic concepts, the
products of the minds of sages OF
every age" said Mr.. Meredith"
I'm all this storehouse Of wisdom OF
the ages we are free to observe and
contemplate, to enrich our minds. to
enlarge our vision. to broaden our un'
derstanding, and to grow in appre
citation of the marvellous gifts of the
Great Architect of the Universe to
man. endowed with an intellect which
aspires to knowledge of all truth"