Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-26
EDUCATORS LAY.
BUILDING STONE
Grand Lodge of Masons of
District 0fficiate at
Ceremonies.

In the presence of a large audience
interested in the advancement of edu-
cation, the corner stone to the new
administration building of the National
Education Association, Sixteenth and M
streets, was laid yesterday afternoon
with the Grand Lodge of Masons of the
District of Columbia officiating.
The stone was declared well formed,
true and trusty" by Col C. Fred Cook,
deputy grand master of the Grand
Lodge. who presided at the Masonic
ceremony incident to laying the stone
in the absence of James A. West, grand
master. In q brief address he stressed
the interest of the Masonic organizat ton
in education. The trowel used by George
Washington in laying the corner stone
of the central building of the Capitoi
was used in the ceremony.
Walter r. Siders, chairman of the
board of trustees Of the National Educa-
ton Association; Miss z. Ruth Pyrtle,
first vice president of the association; j.
w. Crabtree. secretary of the board;
Joseph Roster, Kate v. Wofford and
Joseph H Saunders. membe:s of the
board. aided in spreading mortar sround
the stone.
Makes Plea for Enlightenment.
United States Commissioner of Edu-
cation william j. Cooper, principal
speaker at the exercises, made q plea
that the public be enlightened as to the
Importance of the teachers and their
bearing on education. He praised the
National Education Association as an
organization particularly fitted to fur
nish the necessary enlightenment to
the public regarding educational mat
tiers and problems concerning teachers.
Deploring the lack of public interest
in teaching, Mr.. Cooper said in part:
when a President is assassinated by
q disappointed Office seeker, the public
will act to eliminate political spoils.
Should a loved teacher actually starve
to death, doubtless salaries Of col
leagues would be promptly raised. He
developed the thought that at present
many teachers who have rendered ex-
traordinary service or made some great
sacrifice receive no cash reward.
Asks Education Department.
Miss E. Ruth Pyrtle, first vice presi-
dent of the association. represented
Willis A. Sutton, superintendent OF
schools of Atlanta, Ca, and president
of the association, at the meeting. In a
brief address she said:
Conditions In education are no less
grave and difficult than conditions in
industry and business. The gravity OF
the situation should lead the Congress
and President Of the United States to
hasten the creation of a department OF
education and thus to place the Govern.
ment squarely behind a movement to
the general welfare and to the highest
type Of citizenship"
Mr.. Siders, chairman of the board OF
trustees, in brief address. also stressed
the importance of equality in educa-
tional advantages for all, indicating
that such Is important for America to
continue to develop to the fullest ex-
tent of its possibilities. Mr.. Siders de-
clared:
THE building Is monument to the
belief of the teachers of America in
education"
Joseph H. Saunders, member Of the
board of trustees. in speaking on Life
Membership and the Building" said
the National Education Association has
more than 200, 900 members and that
the building is being erected with funds
derived by the life membership fees OF
the associations 3.754 life members.
The exercises were opened with the
singing of America" by the audience.
This was followed by invocation by Rev.
George Culbertson, assistant pastor of
the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church. Joseph Roster, president of the
Teachers College at Fairmont, W. Va,
and member of the Executive Com
mittee of the association. presided at
the exercises, until the ceremony for the
actual placing of the stone in position
was turned over to the Grand Lodge of
Masons. Prayer was offered at the
meeting by Rev. DR.. John G. Palmer,
Grand cha nlain 0f the Grand T0dCo 0f
Masons.
The new building, being erected at a
cost of approximately $3.50, 900, Is to be
a seven-story brick structure and is ex-
pected to be ready for occupancy about
next February 1t will be connected
with the present ONCE building Of the
association at 1901 Sixteenth street
occupied since the Fall of 1921. The
new building faces on M street.