Evening star., 1934-07-03

trary will of the administration ne
told the educators.
Situation Is Altered.
With the change in the nature OF
curricula, however, he said, the situa-
ton was radically altered. Professors
we're teaching studies relating to So
cial and political organization and
economies which had direct interest
in the every day life of those who
put up the cash to finance the in
stitutions.
Beury said that, in addition. social
taboos. such as the problems sur
rounding sex life, were openly dis
cussed. frequently by instructors with
out the skill of scientific detachment
In some cases there was ignorance
of, or contempt for the human equa-
ton and social repercuSSionS in
yolved.'
The reaso for the resulting i'm
position of limits to academic free
dom were plain, said the speaker:
Men of wealth and secure position
who stood as the patrons of learning,
and leaders in legislation, largely
made up Of the same class, are apt
to regard the social, economic and
political structure in which they
achieve success with a great deal of
favor. The open discussion of sub
jects by instructors and students
tabooed in their college days, the
questioning of political and economic
institutions by class of men whom
they knew as detached from the
affairs of the world, created an i'm
preston that the world, regarded as
fixed and secure, was crumbling about
them"
Use Power of Purse.
1T is not surprising. therefore, "
he concluded. that they were ready
to use the powers OF the purse to
control the situation"
An additional menace to academic
freedom was seen by the speaker in
the placing at the administrative
head of universities of non-academic
men selected for their regulations as
liberals.
Speaking at the same session,
Thomas w. Gosling, national director
of the American Junior Red Cross and
a former superintendent of schools in
Akron. Ohio, said that the particular
service which our American teachers
are prepared to render today is to
keep open the avenues of discussion
and of discriminating inquiry con-
cerning the state of the Nation"
He emphasized that in the long run
less harm will be done by the abuse
of teaching freedom than by efforts
to suppress it, and suggested that
teachers be allowed to set up their
own code Of ethics regarding what
they should and should not teach.
In avoiding indoctrination. the
teacher should be careful not to sup
press free discussion of the multi
tude of problems which have a direct
bearing upon the social. economic and
political welfare of the Nation and
which the students should be pre-
pared in the schools to deal with in
diligently ano fearlessly after the
days of formal schooling are over, )"
he said.
Less Funds for Education.
James H. Richmond. Frankfort, KY,
chairman of the National Committee
for Federal Emergency Aid in Edu-
cation, said that conservative esti-
mates indicate some 100000, 900 less
will be spent on public education in
the country this year than last.
He spoke at a meeting of the as
sociation's representative assembly
which conducts its business affairs.
There will be an emergency in
education in 1884 and 1885 and in
all probability it will continue through
the next year and possibly longer.
he asserted.
The colored race has demonstrated
sbundantly its capacity for economic
self-help by its fight to preserve its
educa tional equipment during the try
ing depression years. NJ. Grant Lucas,
president of the Columbian Educa-
tional Association of this city. de-
clared at the meeting of the repre-
sentative assembly. The Columbian
Association represents officers and
teachers in divisions 1913 of the To-
cal public schools.
Lucas said the economic salvation
of the Negro depends upon the de-
gree with which he keeps up this
record of self-help in the years to
come. All the colored race asks from
the Federal Government is its proper
tionate share when financial aid is al
lotted to education.
Oath of Loyalty Dangerous.
The requirement of oaths of loyalty
from teachers is dangerous to public
interests, Mrs. F. Blanche Preble, eX-
officio director of the association S
Department of Glass Room Teachers,
declared in a third address at the
general session this morning.
She said the administering OF oaths
to teachers greatly interfered with
their academic freedom. This free
dom is not dangerous to the public,
she asserted
Mrs. Preble championed the right
OF teachers TO organize for political
actio~ without interference by school
authorities. Only by political organi-
cation will they achieve the goals of
their profession.
Four Seek Presidency.
Four candidates were nominated for
president of the N E. A. this after
noon.
They were Orville c. Pratt, super
intendent of schools of Spokane,
Wash: Joseph H. Saunders, superin-
tendent of schools at Newport News,
Va; Henry Lester Smith, dean of the
School of Education of Indiana Uni
versity. and William H. Holmes,
superintendent of schools of Mount
Vernon, N. Y.
The delegates will vote at registra-