The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-03-23
Stresses Interest
Continued From Page One)

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unions and make known their wants
and needs in public affairs. Property
and other personal qualifications for
suffrage were eliminated and equal
voting rights given first to all male
citizens and later to all female citizens
In a democratic government equal
educational opportunities are nat
ural sequence of manhood suffrage.
Adequate School Maintenance Stressed
"The American Federation of La
Dor has, from it's organizing conven-
ton in 1881, made public schools a
matter of its primary concern. After
the establishment of the public school
principle, the American Federation of
Labor has continued to work for ade-
uuate maintenance of these schools so
that educational opportunities for all
citizens should expand as our wealth
increased.
"We have insisted upon enrichment
of the curriculum, better prepared and
better paid teachers, better buildings
and equipment. We have fought for
child labor laws and for compulsory
school attendance laws to give all
children opportunity for physical and
mental growth before assuming wage
earning responsibilities. We have in
sisted that boys and girls have such
protection until Is years of age. The
purpose of public education is, we
maintain, development of each in
dividual for satisfaction in personal
living and for effectiveness as citizen
in democracy. The heart of train
ing for citizenship is understanding Of
our economic social and political in
stitutions-our only guarantee OF
maintenance of democratic institu-
tions.
Local Control Is Essential
"The United States in it's develop
ment has been a land of opportunity
for workers and the A. +. of l.. wants
to make it land of equal opportunity
for all citizens. We believe that the
very essence Of democracy lies in equal
educational opportunities for all citi-
Zens.
Control over schools and education
al policies should be in the hands of
those Immediately concerned, exercised
through the local government. The
American Federation of Labor believes
that only local control of educational
policies will provide equal educational
opportunities or the kind of training
suited to the life Of various commune
ties.
Federal Grants Are Necessary
"The American Federation of Labor
was among the first to ask for Federal
aid to equalize educational -opportuni-
ties for the citizens of all sections Of
the country We well know that in
comes in the Southern States averaged
about one-half as much as incomes in
the United States as a whole.
"Only Federal grants can overcome
existing obstacles in those areas where
average incomes are lowest With this
fundamental thesis the American Fed
Grafton of Labor is in full accord. We
are equally convinced that Federal
grants should in no way interfere with
local determination Of local education
al policies.
at is our belief that the tests used
as basis for making grants to States
should be objective and equitable. With
Federal funds granted according to
need, with local determination Of edu-
cational standards, the Federal Office
of Education could, through the ad-
minstrative use of State reporting
and accounting, exercise a leadership
to raise educational standards gen
orally.
an any such large program of Fed
cral aid to public education the Fed
Grafton believes there should be a
General Advisory Committee to assist
the Commissioner of Education in car
rying out the functions vested in him.
Such a provision is in conformity with
our local public school practices that
school policies should be formulated by
citizens.
FINALLY, we believe that any Fed
cral aid program should be reviewed
periodically so that policies may be
reconsidered in the light of experience
and changing circumstances.
Public Funds For Adult Education
''Expanding our program Of public
education, the Federation has repeat
edly endorsed the use of public funds
for adult education. We believe that
the very perpetuation of our democ-
racy depends upon the widespread edu
cation of youth and adults alike. Edu
cation does not end with the class
room or the school teacher but should
continue throughout life.
Last, but not least, the American
Federation Of Labor believes in aca-
demic freedom for teaching and re-
search and holds that freedom must
be the final goal of all social policies.
Freedom has continued to exist only
as it begets responsibility in those who
exercise it,