Editor Educator-Journal:

In response to your inquiry, I give the following items relating to Indiana's schools for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1902:

1. Total school funds to date, $10,443,885.32.

2. Total school revenues distributed from both State and local sources for use during year, $8,585,354.98.

3. Number of children enumerated (6 to 21), 761.801.

4. Increase in enumeration over previous year, 4,117.

5. Total school enrollment for year, 560,224.

6. Average daily attendance, 423,078.

7. The attendance was 55 per cent. of the enumeration.

8. The attendance was 76 per cent. of the enrollment.

9. The enrollment was 74 per cent. of the enumeration.

10. Number of teachers employed:

(a) Males, 7,006.

(b) Females, 9,033.

(c) Total, 16,039.

11. Average daily wages of teachers (including superintendents who teach): (a) In townships, $2.33.

(b) In towns, $2.63.

(c) In cities, $2.99.
(d) Entire State, $2.51.

12. Length of school in days (average), 146. 13. Number of townships which did not have a term at least six months in length, 80.

14. Total paid teachers during year, $5,483,938.01.

15. Cost of supervision (not including county superintendents' salaries), $255,212.12.

16. Number of township institutes held, 6,421.

17. Per capita cost of education (grades and high schools):

(a) On enumeration, $12.34.

(b) On enrollment, $16.78.

Very truly,

FRANK L. JONES,

State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Un

Query: Can a county superintendent refuse an applicant license who is under age? Answer: The law gives no age to be attained before one is licensed to teach. der the head of "other qualifications" and "ability to govern said school" a person of childish demeanor could be refused a license, though scholarship alone might call for a high grade of license.

Query: Can a school board of a town employ one of its members to teach in said schools?

Answer: Yes. A majority of a school board constitutes a quorum, and if the other two members should vote and elect the third member, the matter would be entirely regular and legal. If the person so elected should vote for himself and in this way receive two votes, there might be a question about its legality.

Query: Is an oral contract made with a school trustee binding?

Answer: If it can be fully proven, it is binding. The advantage in a written contract lies in the fact that no proof is necessary to establish it. All contracts of this nature should be in writing, and a teacher should, for her own protection, see to it that such a promise be made in writing.

Query: Can a teacher be compelled to take the examination in the reading circle books which are prepared by the State Board of Education?

Answer: There is no compulsion in this. The State Board prepares two lists-one on these books and one on the general field akin to them. The applicant chooses the one he wishes, but need not take both. The subjects enumerated in the law governing examinations can not be omitted, but the reading circle books cover only a limited phase of one subject, and for this reason many choose to answer these questions. The reading circle work as such is not recognized by law, but the State Board of Education has wide discretionary power in the matter of examinations, and it can use this as a part of the regular examinations.

Roy Kennedy, principal of the high school at Adams, was elected to a position in the Greensburg schools but declined it owing to the fact he was deeply interested in putting the high school work at Adams on a firm footing. He felt it a duty to remain there.

Prof. J. N. Spangler is serving his second year as superintendent of schools at Bolivar, Mo. His success there and elsewhere is largely due to his very thorough preparation for professional work. Many of his friends would be pleased with his return to Indiana to accept some desirable position. He has graduated from the Indiana State Normal, Indiana University, and Illinois University, and was superintendent of the Rockville schools from 1897 to 1900. After graduating from the University of Illinois he was elected principal of the normal department in Grand Prairie Seminary, at Onarga, Ill.

Chas. A. Powner, who has been teaching in the Greensburg schools for the last ten years, resigns to accept a position as cataloguer for the Adair Book Co., of Chicago. Mr. Powner has been successful in establishing quite a business in handling rare publications of books and magazines. Many orders have come from libraries for these books, many of which could not be secured elsewhere. He was succeeded in the schools by Miss Anna Albrecht, promoted from the 7th grade. This journal wishes him as great a success in his new field as he has attained as a teacher. In this he ranked high and was successful.

Earl Barnes, now of Philadelphia, and formerly of Indiana University, had two engagements for county institute work in Indiana this past summer. The writer had the good fortune to listen to his instruction for one day in the Wayne County Institute. Mr. Barnes has a message to the teacher on the subject of child study. From Leland Stanford, Jr., University Mr. Barnes went to England, to study the school system there, and while in that country lectured extensively for the Society of University Exten

sion. We hope that the teachers of Indiana may have the opportunity to hear Mr. Barnes in the near future.

Supt. D. W. Thomas, of Elkhart, is chairman of the executive committee of the City and Town Superintendents' Association. This association will hold its annual meeting, and an interesting program will be found in this issue. Supt. Thomas is one of the fathers in the educational work in this State-not so much so on account of the time spent in it, as the way in which he does his work. Always affable and tractable, any one may approach him for advice and counsel. His teachers find him ever ready for helpful suggestion, and we have seen pupils go to him as to a father. His long and successful career in Elkhart is the best evidence of his worth as a man and his ability as an educator.

Mr. Arthur J. Taylor, who for the past seven years has been at the head of the business department of the Indianapolis schools, resigned his position during September and has gone to Chicago where he will have charge of the business and shorthand departments of the Interstate School of Correspondence. For the past two years Mr. Taylor has edited the business and shorthand courses of the Chicago institution. For a long time they have been endeavoring to secure his entire services, but have been unsuccessful until this fall. Mr. Taylor is a graduate of DePauw University, and is superbly equipped by long experience for the position he has just assumed. The resignation from the Indianapolis schools was accepted with regret, and Mr. Taylor's place is temporarily filled by one of the able assistants in his department.

Central Ohio Teachers' Association, Springfield, Ohio, October 10, 1902. The Educator-Journal Company, Indianapolis, Ind.:

Gentlemen-Your letter of October 7, relative to the meeting of the Central Ohio Teachers' Association in your city on No

At the

vember 7th and 8th next, is at hand. It is impossible to give you a program in its fullest details at present, but the main features. The addresses will be as follows: Friday evening session (Nov. 7) the inaugural address of the president, Mr. William Werthner, of Steele High School, Dayton, O., will be given; also an address by William H. Maxwell, superintendent of schools of New York City. On Saturday morning (Nov. 8) an address by C. B. Gilbert, superintendent of schools of Rochester, N. Y., and an address by Wm. Hawley Smith, of Chicago, best known to teachers as the author of "Evolution of Dodd." We are pleased with your kindly interest in our meeting, and it will be my pleasure to send you a program as soon as printed. Very truly yours,

JOHN S. WEAVER,

Chairman Executive Committee.

The sales of Young People's Reading Circle books for the present year is as follows: July, 538 copies; August, 4,172 copies; September, 9,948 copies, a total of 14,651 copies prior to October 1st, which is an increase over last year of more than 3,000 copies. "Side Lights on American History," Vol. II, has had the largest sale, and "Greek Sculpture" second. The biography of James B. Eads is not being fully appreciated if the sales are an index. He being a native Hoosier should receive more attention than is accorded him; and the fact that he rose from comparative obscurity to national fame, not through politics nor war, nor yet literature, but through his education as an engineer whose theory was reduced to practice by himself, gives him fame in an almost unoccupied field.

The sales of a book are to a certain extent determined by its title, as illustrated by "The Young Supercargo," by William Drysdale. This is one of the best books for boys that this famous author has produced. It will compare very favorably with "The Fast Mail," "The Beach Patrol," "The Young Reporter" and "Cadet Standish of the St. Louis." It gives the experiences of a boy who has charge of the cargo on a merchant ship, and is filled with that activity admired by all live boys. "The Story of Dago" is another book afflicted with a name. It is not the life of an Italian, but of a monkey, whose

antics and imitations are vividly described for the children. The best of English is used throughout. "Bimbi" would meet a better reception if called by its right name, "Stories for Children." Few fourth grade books are riore interesting.

As a whole the sales have more than met the expectations of the management, and the present year bids fair to continue the growth of the circle. The increase in sales from 30.000 copies to 50,000 copies during the past seven years indicates the interest taken by school officials in the movement toward securing better reading material for the children.

CITY SUPERINTENDENTS' ASSOCIATION. The thirteenth annual meeting of the Town and City School Superintendents' Association of Indiana will be held in the State House at Indianapolis on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 18th, 19th and 20th, 1902.

Notes.-1. Railroad rates-one fare for the round trip on all roads in Indiana. Tickets on sale going, November 17 and 18, good returning to the 21st. Inquire for rates to Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F.

2. The Hotel English will be the headquarters for members of the Association; rates two dollars per day, two in a room.

3. Ample provision has been made for the discussion of all topics on program. Let each Superintendent come prepared with a well-matured five-minute speech upon one topic at least.

4. The School Board Association will meet at the State House on Wednesday, November 19. Please urge school officers to attend.

PROGRAM.

Leaders in discussion limited to twenty minutes, all other speakers to five minutes. Tuesday, 7:30 p. m.-"The Best Method of Selecting Teachers and of Determining Their Tenure of Office." Discussion led by Robert L. Hughes, superintendent city schools, Whiting, and A. A. Campbell, superintendent city schools, Peru. General discussion.

"Needed School Legislation." Discussion led by R. I. Hamilton, superintendent city schools, Huntington, and R. K. Bedgood, su

perintendent city schools, Lafayette. General discussion.

Wednesday. 8:30 a. m.-"Additional Normal School Facilities-Necessity and Feasibility." Report of Committee: J. W. Carr, superintendent city schools, Anderson, chairman; R. A. Ogg, superintendent city schools, Kokomo, and C. M. McDaniel, superintendent city schools, Madison. Discussion led by W. A. Wirt, superintendent city schools, Bluffton, and V. W. B. Hedgepeth, superintendent city schools, Goshen. General discussion.

Wednesday, 2:00 p. m.-Joint meeting of school boards and city superintendents.

"School Janitors." Discussion led by W. H. Anderson, member board of education, Wabash, and W. H. Wiley, superintendent city schools, Terre Haute. General discussion.

"Relation of the Superintendent to the School Board." Discussion led by Hon. Theodore Shockney, member board of education, Union City; C. W. Kendall, superintendent city schools, Indianapolis; J. S. Jackson, member board of education, Greenfield, and F. W. Cooley, superintendent city schools, Evansville. General discussion.

Wednesday, 7:30 p. m.-Address by Dr. Wm. Goodsell Frost, president Berea College, Kentucky. Subject: "Educational Pioneering in the Southern Mountains."

Miscellaneous business.

Thursday, 8:30 a. m.-Topics for general discussion:

1. Frequency, purpose and mode of conducting teachers' meetings.

2. By what means may the superintendent best increase the efficiency and professional spirit of his teachers?

3. What can superintendents do to check social dissipation on the part of the pupils? 4. The desirability of free text-books for pupils.

5. Legal qualifications of the city superintendent.

6. Recognition of diplomas granted to teachers from State normals outside of Indiana.

7. Nature and purpose of the superintendent's visits to his schools.

8. The duty of the superintendent to the high school.

9. School boards and school superintend

ents-in what respects do they most frequently fail in the management of their school? 10. The standard of professional courtesy -(1) as to recommending teachers to other superintendents, and (2) as to applying for superintendencies.

11. More men teachers in the grades. 12. Essential things to be considered in estimating a teacher's work.

13. The ideal superintendent-characterize. 14. How shall the superintendent's supervision be conducted?

15. The teaching of English in the grades. Note. The order of discussion of the above topics may be determined by the association or others substituted, but all speakers will be limited to five minutes.

Officers. John A. Wood, Laporte, president; T. H. Meek, Lawrenceburg, secretary; H. G. Woody, Greencastle, treasurer; W. P. Hart, Covington, R. R. secretary.

Executive Committee.-D. W. Thomas, Elkhart, chairman; B. F. Moore, Marion; Linnaeus N. Hines, Union City; H. B. Dickey, Greentown; W. E. Alexander, Bedford; A. E. Martin, Greenfield; Frank F. Heighway, Crown Point.

DOES INDIANA NEED ANOTHER STATE NORMAL SCHOOL?

Dear Sir-At the last meeting of the Town and City Superintendents' Association of Indiana, a resolution was passed instructing the executive committee to appoint a special committee whose duty it shall be to prepare and submit to the Association at its next meeting a report concerning the advisability of establishing another State normal school in Indiana. The undersigned persons have been appointed to make this report.

The purpose of this letter is to get your views on this subject. The building offered by the city of Muncie to the State normal in 1901 is now used for college purposes. So if another State normal school is established, the State must provide for its own buildings.

Will you therefore please answer the following questions or set forth your views on this subject in any other ways you choose? 1. Does Indiana need another State normal school?

2. Is it advisable to ask the next State Legislature to establish such a school?

3. Have you any suggestions concerning

the kind of buildings that should be erected, the proper location of the school, and the best way to secure its establishment?

4. Do you give the committee permission to publish your views on this subject?

In order that the committee may be able to set forth the views of all classes of educators in the State, this letter will be sent to a large number of teachers, superintendents, members of school boards, college and normal school professors and presidents. prompt and full reply is requested. Any part of your letter marked confidential will be regarded as such. Address J. W. Carr, Anderson, Indiana. Respectfully,

A

FIRST MEETING OF THE INDIANA STATE ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS.

To be held in the Senate Chamber, State House, Indianapolis, beginning at 10 o'clock a. m., Wednesday, November 19, 1902, and closing Thursday noon, November 20th, 1902. Headquarters, Hotel English.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

On the 8th of November, 1901, a number of members of town and city school boards attended the annual meeting of the State Association of City School Superintendents, then in session at the Siate House in Indianapolis. At the suggestion of Rev. Wilson Blackburn, treasurer of the school board of Mt. Vernon, a preliminary meeting of the school beard members present was called to discuss the advisability of forming a State association. A. M. Sweeney, of the Indianapolis school board, presided at this meeting. After a lengthy discussion of the situation, W. II. Anderson, secretary of the school board of Wabash, moved that an association, to be known as "The Indiana State Association of School Boards," be organized, to meet annually, and its meetings be held simultaneously with the annual meetings of the association of City and Town Superintendents of Schools. This motion was unanimously adopted.

The following officers for the ensuing year were then chosen: President, A. M. Swee

ney, Indianapolis; secretary, W. H. Anderson, Wabash; executive committee, W. S. Ellis, Anderson, Rev. Wilson Blackburn, Mt. Vernon.

Pursuant to a call by the president of the Association, there was a meeting of school trustees at Indianapolis on August 28, 1902, for the purpose of preparing a program. The committee prepared the following:

PROGRAM.

Wednesday, November 19, 1902, at 10:00 a. m. Address-By A. M. Sweeney, President. Address-By Hon. W. T. Durbin, Governor of Indiana. Intermission of ten minutes.

"The Teacher and the School Board"-By Prof. W. F. L. Sanders, Connersville.

Discussion-Led by Hon. Quincy A. Myers, Secretary Logansport School Board.

NOON.

Wednesday, November 19, 1902, at 1:30 p. m.

Joint session of School Boards and City and Town Superintendents. Chamber of House of Representa

tives.

"School Janitors "-By W. H. Anderson, Wabash. Discussion By Superintendents W. H. Wiley, Terre

Haute: J. N. Study, Ft. Wayne, and C. N. Kendall,
Indianapolis.

"The Relation of the Superintendent to the School Board"-By persons selected from both organizations.

Wednesday Evening, November 19, 1902, at 7:30 p. m. Special lecture by Dr. Frost in the House of Representatives. Both organizations will attend.

Thursday, November 20, 1902, at 10:00 a. m. "Some Needed School Legislation "-By Charles W. Moores, of the Indianapolis School Board. Discussion By Wm. Geo. Bruce, Editor American School Board Journal; and A. A. Adams, of Columbia City School Board.

"School Sanitation "-By Wilson Blackburn, of Mt. Vernon School Board.

Discussion By Willis S. Ellis, Esq., of the Anderson
City School Board.
Election of officers for 1902-1903.
Adjournment.

To School Boards:

It was the sense of the association that the expenses of school board members should be paid out of the special school fund for attendance at the State Association. Do not fail to be present. Other States have had associations for many years. Let us place Indiana in the front. The success of her schools means the success, prosperity, intelligence and happiness of her people.