Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-27
VIRGINIA DELEGATE
| SCORES |LL|TERACY
Teachers and Free Text Book
|. Laws Urged by Hall Be-
fore Educators.
a. the Assnciated prasn.


RICHMOND, Va, November 81
Nilbur c. Hall, member Of the Virginia
House of Delegates from Loudoun
County, in an address before the Vir-
Rinia Education Association last night
eAid illiteracy is one of the most bare-
nll influences in the cultural life OF the
Omitted States, asserted he would not
be content to leave the Legislature until
the teachers retirement law is passed
end advocated free text books for every
khild in elementary schools.
Mr.. Halls address was on the subject
pThe Future of Education in Virginia"
He concluded with the statement that
The outlook for popular elementary edu-
cation in Virginia sis most promising"
FIN connection with the problem of
Gliteracy," he said, II am Of the opinion
that we can never rid our State of the
cultural plague, and especially we can
never prevent recurrence, until and
unless we adopt q real compulsory edu-
cation law. Herein lies one of the pam
Aceas as far as the future is concerned.
Tell me where illiteracy is among those
Of school population and I will show
fou q State that does not have a real
compulsory attendance law. We can
continue to gamble with optional fea-
lures in compulsory educational laws,
but until we adopt one that brings into
the school rooms of Virginia every child
Of school age we will still face the prob
lem. Whatever the cost, the prime duty
Of the State is to compel every child to
attend school"
Desire and Opportunity.
Lack of funds has handicapped Vir-
Einia's program of education for adult
nliterateS also, the speaker said.
The problem of illiteracy resolves
itself into two parts, according to Mr..
Hall, "the creating in the minds of the
initerates Of q desire to learn and the
presentation of opportunities to learn -
He said he had not given the subject
Sufdcient study to express his approval
bf Federal aid for education.
With the statement that there was
one subject in the educational program
in which he was intensely interested
above all others, Mr.. Hall said: ut is
the teachers retirement law which ]
had the honor to sponsor at the last
session of the General Assembly Of Viz
ginia. If had any intention of retir-
Ing from public life, my interest in this
cause Is so intense that it would prevent
voluntary retirement on my part"
After explaining the present law, he
said: cit Is but q Inakeshift and it is
known to be unSound, unscientific and
unfair to the teachers Of the State,
They have increasingly felt its injustice
The State has duty in the matter and
will meet that duty IL within my power
to bring it about, and thus avoid in the
future any financial injustice to you
the most faithful and underpaid class
Of Virginiass public servants. You are
more than that, you are her bene-
factors"
Time for Free Books.
Discussing the free text book plar
Mr.. Hall said: II am firmly convinced
that the time has come In Virginia for
the adoption Of a plan for free text
BOOKS Tor every boy Ind girl in the ele-
tnentary schools.
The experience of the other States
In this matter would clearly justify Viz
GINA in embarking upon the plan, and
! snau continue my efforts in this cause
until such n law is written lpon the
statute books of Virginia, believing that
pothing could be done which would dc
more to advance the cause of education. y