Imperial Valley press., 1929-03-22
PROBLEMS OF
EDUCATION UP
TO LEGISLATURE
High School Students
Lobby For Recognition
OF 'Frats'
BY HOMER L. ROBERTS
United Press Staff Correspondent)


SACRAMENTO, Calf, March %.
U.R)- Educational problems occu-
pied the state legislature s atten-
tion today during three hour ses
sion until noon, when both houses ad-
iourncd for the week end.
High school fraternities, mental
examinations to detect potential
criminals, aid to Junior colleges, and
state publication of school books
were among the subjects covered by
education measures reported out of
committee with recommendation
for their adoption.
Other legislative Developments
were:
Creation Of a new state depart
ment of commerce, modelled after the
federal department was favorably
reported by assembly committee on
governmental efficiency and eco
nomy. This is an anti-administra-
tion bill.
The state trademark proposal, for
the second time i'll 10 days, failed
in committee to get "do pass >
vote Assemblyman Van Bernard
Of Butte City, its author, announced
he would seek to have the assembly
draw the bill from committee by
resolution.
Extention of time for completion
of the $l0,000,000 flood control Fol
som dam on the American river, au
thorized by the senate.
Youthful high school lobbyists
from Los Angeles and Sacramento
made big hit in the assembly edu-
cation committee, when they appear
ed in favor of a measure permitting
secret fraternities in high schools,
provided faculty member is an ad-
visor.
Elmo Sullivan, l6, for three ses-
sions a page in the state senate,
scored against William F. Ewing, as
sistant superintendent of schools at
Oakland, who opposed the measure.
Sullivan asked: Mr.. Ewing, why
do you gentlemen who belong to
various secret fraternal organiza-
tions oppose bill permitting youth
the opportunity to follow your eX
ample -
To Examine Pupils
Mental examinations for school
children to detect criminal tenden-
cies were approved by the senate
education committee, which passed
three bills on the subject by Sena-
tor G. c. Baker of Salinas. These
bills were important links in the
crime commission 5 program.
The examinations would be given
at entrance into the eighth grade
and again when the child is enter
ing high school.
More work for the state printing
office would be provided under a
bill introduced Yesterday by Assem-
blyman S. l.. Heisinger of Selma.
1t would require the state to print
all books used by high schools, AT
present only the elementary school
books are printed by the state.
Relief to junior colleges of Cali
fornia was provided in three bills
by Senator Frank F. Merriam of
Long Beach, adopted by the senate
late yesterday. They are designed
to give additional funds for these
colleges by authorizing Deficiencies
payable from the general fund of
the state, rather than from the
emergency fund. Uniform account
ing systems for junior colleges, and
enrolment of students over Is years
of age, We're provisions Of the other
measures.
Readin', writin' and 'rithmctic
lost a fight in the assembly late
yesterday, when that body refused
to reconsider the vote on Assembly
man c. c. Spaulding's school bill,
The measure, as finally adopted
relcgated the "little red school
house, courses to the back ground
Previously, the state laws required
that these three subjects be given
80 per cent of the time in school.
Under the Spaulding act, the time
was chanUn6 tn hOurS 19ilV