The Key West citizen., 1949-07-01
~sLANrIsc" TEXTBOOKS WRONG

EtWtA"
used in the schools ard eallaxes Of the
nation. n recently picked AZ random about
one hundred schools and asked them 10
send list Of the textbooks in general use.
Back of the action at the committee i
4 nnmber of complaints received in the
past few years alleging thai some "a the
sehoolbooks used In the eoantry are
zlanted in favor Of Russia. The eapnmil-
tee wants 10 discover. first. whether tbs
= the truth. aud. sseendly. Il 4 =. hoV
Old IL happen.
The action Of The committee. aecording
10 Chairman John = Wood. OF Georgia.
came when a resolution was received
from the Sons Of the American Revolu-
tion. when the list Of the textbooks b
received. staff Of researchers will read
them 90 check up 10 see II something
turns up worth investigating
While we think Il might be wise for
the committee 70 investigate The subject
discussed. we wonder II the committee
viii pay some attention 10 the fact that
our textbooks may be slanted In other
directions. some wears aso. Il was re-
vealed that public utility companies had
employed writers and teachers 20 secretly
Influence the Instruction Of pupils in this
country.
Even now. there i the suggestion that
the text Of history hooks be examined 10
make sure that the writer does not say
anything whieh intlmasea that sny group
uf the human race has accomplished
more than some of the other groups.
We wish 20 point cot. In connection
with the writing Of textbooks. that Il iz
Just a. dangerous - slant The books that
pupils study In ene direction as another.
Te slant textbooks IN favor Of capitalism
h lust IS bad as 30 slant them In favor
of communism. Tie slant dextroys the
opportunity of the Individual 10 discover
the unbiased truih
The same things applies to History Of
What hes happened IN the past n writ
eFs are 30 ehroniele the history Of the
world IN the tempo q modern emotions.
the writing will not present the truth.
After all. the pursuit Of knowledge Is
worthwhile only IL Il leads the mdivid-
uai TO the discovery Of ultimate truth.
ANY type Of slantinR. regardless Of mo-
tive. u wrong.
Almost as soon - the House commit
tee announced its plan to make a prelim-
mary inquiry, there were loud cries from
educational circles. protesting against
the invasion Of academic freedom. We
cannot follow the educators In this re-
spect. The government has a perfect
right 10 investigate and IL the facts e.
tablished indicate that there Is propa-
ganda In the study-books. the pressure
Of public opinion will do the rest.
The reader should understand that
there Is no questioning the right Of any
individual TO put into q book whatever
conclusions he deems wise. what Is at
issue i the wisdom Of permitting a care
less choice of books to undub emphasize
certain theories and PHILOSOPHERS and. IL
this l. established. 90 discover whether
ID occun hy chance oT design.
After all. the nation i spending bill
lions Of dollars for public education. The
pupils are entitled % balance study
course. with enough variety 10 give them
al opportunity Of making up their
minds II. Tor any reason. the courses Of
instruction are being weighted In favor
Of Communism. or any other ism. the fact
shoald be asccFtained.