Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 166, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1914 — ALGEBRA A CURSE DECLARES EDUCATOR [ARTICLE]

ALGEBRA A CURSE DECLARES EDUCATOR

Crime to Stuff Higher Mathematics Down a Girl’s Throat When She Wants to Sew or Cook.

The National Educational association at itseloslng session last Friday night at St Paul, was' suddenly enlivened when Dr. J. H. Francis, superintendent of schools of Los Angeles, <>!., vigorously attacked the present school system, denounced'the inefficiency of the average teacher and characterized as soul wreckers certain powerful interests that are blocking all forms of educational progress. “Our public schools of today,” said Dr. Francis, “are dragging out the souls of our boys and girls by telling them to learn so many pages a day of matter that means nothing to them in practical dKe.” Tl)f hall rang with applause when Dr. Francis shouted: “God bless the girl who refused to study algebra—a study that has caused many girls to lose their souls.” Continuing he said: “Give our girls courses in costume designing instead of mathematics, and life and art and morality and Godliness will come to them. There is more art ? -in the well selected and well made garment than in all the art galleries of Europe.” He added that nine-tenths o(.<mr immorality is caused by damage done to iboys and girls by teachers. Use of the permanent fund of the association for the establishment of twelve demonstration and experimental schools in various parts of the country K under the management of .a committee headed by the U. S. commissioner of education was advocated by George Alexander, supervising principal of schools of Indianapolis. Her proposal received endorsement from U. S. Commissioner Clarton, who contended that the federal government should provide a fund of $3,000,000 a year to promote and maintain erperimental schools. The new board of directors formally approved the selection of Oakland, Gal., as the meeting place next year, to be held August 16 and >23.