PRESIDENT HARDING DIED

SUDDENLY

Warren Gamaliel Harding, 29th President of the United States, died August 2, 1923 in the Palace Hotel, San Francisco from a stroke of cerebral apoplexy. He was returning from a 5,000 mile trip to Alaska whither he had gone to study the needs and resources of that territory. He had suffered for a week with broncho-pneumonia and complications but had almost won the fight when without a moment's warning, the stroke shook his body and he collapsed and died. Mrs. Harding was reading to him when the stroke came. She immediately summoned the physicians who were in an adjoining room in the hotel but it was all over. Mrs. Harding bore the shock with fortitude.

The funeral train left San Francisco the evening of August 3 for the National Capitol where the body lay in state August 8. Burial was made August 10 in his home town, Marion, Ohio.

President Harding was the sixth President to die in office. He had served two years, four months and ten days.

William Henry Harrison was the first to die while President. He died April 4, 1841, at Washington, after serving but one month of his term.

Zachary Taylor died at Washington July 9, 1850, after serving one year, four months and five days.

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre, Washington, April 14, 1865, and died the next day. He had served four years, one month and eleven days.

James A. Garfield was shot in the Pennsylvania Station at Washington, July 2, 1881, and died at Elberton, N. J., September 19, 1881. He had served six and a half months.

William McKinley was shot September 6, 1901, while in the Temple of Music at the PanAmerican Exposition at Buffalo, N. Y. He died eight days later, having served four years, six months and ten days.

Among the many tributes to President and Mrs. Harding none was finer than the action of Governor Pinchot in appointing Sunday, August 5 as a day of prayer in respect to the memory of President Harding. He recommended that the people assemble in their respective places for worship, and unite in prayer for the welfare of the Nation and the Commonwealth, for the comforting of those who mourn and in "remembrance of one whose kindness of heart, calmness of mind and unselfish devotion to the public service give him a peculiar right to the heartfelt tribute of the whole people."

President Harding made history by concluding peace with Germany, by calling the world conference on disarmament, by putting into effect the first governmental budget system, by approving a protective tariff, by settlement of the coal strike, by pleading for the formation of a world court and by enforcing the 18th amendment.

PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE

For the first time in 70 years New England has furnished a President of the United States. Not since Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire became President in 1853 have the New England states sent a man direct to the White House. Calvin Coolidge was born at Plymouth, Vermont, July 4, 1872. He obtained his early education in a one-teacher rural school. In 1895 he received the degree of A.B. from Amherst. The following institutions have honored him with an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws: Amherst, Tufts, Williams, Bates, Wesleyan and University of Vermont. He served as member of the Massachusetts State Senate, 1912-15 (president 1914-15), as Lieutenant Governor 1916, 17 and 18 and as Governor two terms, 1919 and 1920. He became Vice President of the United States in 1921 and President August 3, 1923.

President Coolidge is a calm, deliberate man with the courage of his convictions. He believes that things should be done in the orderly, regularly appointed way. He is never stampeded. Three of his maxims are: "Don't hurry to legislate," "Give administration a chance to catch up with legislation," and "There is no right to strike against public safety by anybody, anywhere, any time."

The unexpired term extends to March 4, 1925.

ATHLETIC BADGE TESTS FOR BOYS

AND GIRLS

To suggest a simple means of testing the physical achievement of boys and girls in the schools of the United States is the purpose of the Athletic Badge Test for boys and girls just published by the Bureau of Education of the Department of the Interior. "Mental examinations and tests are generally used in the schools throughout the Nation," said U. S. Commissioner of Education, John J. Tigert, in explaining this pamphlet, "but the all-round development of American school children requires not only mental fitness but physical fitness as well."

This seventeen page pamphlet prepared for the Bureau of Education by the Playground and Recreation Association of America, describes a simple plan for testing the physical achievement of boys and girls in a few of the fundamental physical activities, such as, running, jumping and rope climbing. For instance, a study of statistics has shown that the average grammar school boy should be able to run 100 yards in 13 2/5 seconds, jump 6 feet 6 inches in the standing broad jump and 12 feet in the running broad jump. He should be able to throw a baseball 195 feet and hit a 1 foot target with a baseball at 45 feet three times in five trials. Any boy who measures up to these standards is rated as having passed the second class athletic badge test and is eligible to purchase and wear a medal attesting his achievement. Similar events with different standards are provided for younger boys and high school pupils.

PRIZES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The Graduate Council of Princeton University has established an annual prize fund of $100 for the high school or preparatory school from whose student body comes the freshman attaining the highest scholastic standing in his first year.

Alvin T. Simonds of the Simonds Saw Company of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, offers prizes of $1,000 and $500 for the best essays on economic intelligence. The contest is open to high school and normal school students of the United States and Canada. The Contest Editor, Simonds Saw Manufacturing Company, Fitchburg, Massachusetts, will supply full information.

Carl Laemmle, President of the Universal Picture Corporation, has inaugurated a student scenario writing contest. The college student submitting the best scenario will have $1,000 deposited to his credit with the treasurer of his college or university. An additional prize of $1,000 will be paid to the college or university in which the prizewinner is a student.

The International Book Review, in the July issue offers 5 prizes for the best lists of the ten best books published since 1900, listed as The Ten Best Books of the Century. From these lists a final list of the ten books receiving the greatest number of votes will be compiled. The contest closes October 15.

Under the bequest of the late Frederic Courtland Penfield, former United States Ambassador to Austria-Hungary, the University of Pennsylvania has received two traveling scholarships, each yielding yearly $2,000, for study and research in diplomacy, international affairs and belles-lettres. The executive committee intend each scholarship to be for two years, an appointment for the first year followed by a reappointment. Similar bequests were made to New York University and the Catholic University of America.

A committee of the Associated Harvard Clubs of New York, headed by Edgar H. Wells, is planning a scholarship at Emmanual College, Cambridge to "enable a properly qualified graduate of Harvard College to enjoy for one or more years the advantages of residence there."

The American Legion has announced that the subject for the national essay contest will be "Why America Should Prohibit Immigration for Five Years." The judges for Pennsylvania are U. S. Dye, State College, State College; T. W. Templeton, Lock Haven Normal School, Lock Haven, and M. J. Costello, Tech High School, Scranton. The contest is open to school boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18. The cash prizes are $750, $500 and $250 to be used only towards scholarships in colleges designated by the winners. Silver and bronze medals will be given to the winners of first and second prizes in each state, the third prize being a certificate of merit issued by National Headquarters of the Legion. Essays are limited to 500 words and must be received at a place designated by the county

superintendent of schools not later than midnight of October 12, 1923.

Edward W. Bok, from 1889 to 1919 editor-inchief of the Ladies' Home Journal, has conceived a prize on a larger scale than any heretofore awarded. However the difficulty of the subject to be handled conforms to the value of the award. He has offered $100,000, to be known as the American Peace Award, to the American citizen or organization that shall propose the best practical plan by which the United States may co-operate with other nations to gain world peace. Since the purpose of the Award is not only to produce a plan, but also to insure, as far as possible, that it will be put into operation the reward is to be made in two payments. The first $50,000 will be paid to the author of the winning plan as soon as the jury of awards has selected it. The remainder will be paid when the practicability of the plan has been demonstrated either by the acceptance of the United States Senate or by sufficient evidence of public approval to satisfy the jury of awards of its popularity. Since the plan finally selected by the jury may be a composite of more than one plan, second, third, fourth and fifth awards of $5,000 will be given for any plans used by the jury in the composite plan. The number of words must not exceed 5,000 and all manuscript must be submitted to the American Peace Award, 342 Madison Avenue, New York City, by midnight, November 15, 1923. Esther Everett Lape, writer and prominent supporter of Governor Pinchot, heads the policy committee with the following associates: John W. Davis, former ambassador to Great Britain; Federal Judge, Learned Hand; William H. Johnston, president of the International Association of Machinists; Nathan L. Miller, former governor of New York; Melville E. Stone, counselor of the Associated Press; Henry L. Stimson; Mrs. Gifford Pinchot; Mrs. Ogden Reid; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Mrs. Frank A. Vanderlip.

THE PULITZER AWARDS

The Pulitzer prizes awarded annually for distinctive work in fields of American writing have been announced for 1922. For the American novel, best representing wholesome American life, Willa Cather won the prize of $1,000 with "One of Ours."

Burton J. Hendrick received $1,000 for "The Life and Letters of Walter H. Page," designated the best American biography teaching patriotic and unselfish service to the people.

Owen Davis' "Icebound," was chosen for the $1,000 drama award as the American play of greatest power and highest standards for the stage.

The $1,000 prize for the best volume of American verse was given to Edna St. Vincent Millay for her volumes "The Ballad of the Harp Weaver, ""A Few Figs from Thistles," and "A Miscellany."

For the best history of the United States, Charles Warren won the $2,000 prize, with "The Supreme Court in United States History."

The journalism award of $500 for the best editorial article went to William Allen White for "To an Anxious Friend," which appeared in the Emporia Gazette, Emporia, Kansas, July 27, 1922. The right of free expression is the theme of the editorial.

Alva Johnson's report in the New York Times of the Convention of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, won the $1,000 prize for the best reportorial work.

For its method of handling news and cartoons in reference to the work of the Ku Klux Klan the Memphis Commercial Appeal received the $500 gold medal for the greatest public service rendered by an American newspaper.

Although arguments as to the justice of the decisions are numerous there is no doubt that the Pulitzer awards are stimulating interest in contemporary American literature and urging a higher standard upon American writers.

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

August 10, 1923. To the Executive Council, Pennsylvania State Education Association. GENTLEMEN:

After my report of April 9, 1923, published in the May issue of the PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL JOURNAL, there remains only the duty of reporting briefly on the educational legislation which finally passed both houses and received the Governor's approval. The following bills comprise the complete list:

House Bills

House Bill No. 162.

Author, Mr. Marshall. Act. No. 247. Amending Section 1708 of the School Code by providing that tuition for nonresident high school pupils shall not exceed cost of tuition, textbooks and supplies of other pupils, unless a different basis of cost has been mutually agreed upon by the boards of school directors. House Bill. No. 372.

Author, Mr. Moffatt. Act No. 122. Amends the Act of 1834 by removing the exemption of females from arrest and imprisonment for nonpayment of taxes. House Bill No. 657.

Author, Mr. Evans. Act No. 94. Amends Section 2628 of the School Code by changing the compensation of Auditors of school districts of the fourth class to $5.00 per day.

House Bill No. 712.

Author, Mr. Horne. Act No. 206. Prescribes requirements for colleges hereafter incorporated. House Bill No. 715.

Author, Mrs. DeYoung. Act No. 131. Amending the act of 1915 providing for the registration of births. The change made by this amendment requires the filing of certain detailed information with the State Registrar and the furnishing to a parent witl:in ten days after the receipt of a certificate of

birth of a living child a notice of the registry containing the name, date and place of birth of the child together with the given name of the father and mother. It also provides that this notice may be accepted by school authorities as evidence of a child's age for all purposes connected with employment or attendance. House Bill No. 726.

Author, Mr. Williams. Act No. 108. Amending Section 2701 of the School Code by providing that net receipts and proceeds from State forest reservations, water power and rights, etc., shall become part of the State School Fund.

House Bill No. 880.

Author, Mr. Goehring. Act No. 135. Amending Section 207 of the School Code by making any District Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Supervisor, teacher, or employee eligible to the office of school director in a district other than the one in which he is employed.

House Bill No. 1086.

Author, Mr. O'Boyle. Act No. 244. Requiring anthracite coal operators to sell sufficient coal to properly heat school buildings located in the municipality in which the coal mining operation is conducted.. House Bill No. 1226.

Author, Mr. Stevens. Act No. 320. Requires the secretary of a second, third or fourth class school district to be a resident of the district during the term of service. House Bill No. 1229.

Author, Mr. Horne. Act No. 213. Amends the Edmonds Act by providing that school districts having a true valuation of $50,000 or less per teacher shall be allotted 75 per cent of the minimum salary prescribed by law for elementary teachers; those having more than $50,000 and not more than $100,000, 60 per cent of the minimum salary prescribed by law for elementary teachers. It also provides that payments are due and payable in fourth class districts during February and August; in second and third class districts during March and September; in first class districts during April and October. House Bill No. 1258.

Author, Mr. Haines. Act No. 214. Authorizes school boards to have census taken and Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue proclamation declaring district to be of the class to which it properly belongs. House Bill No. 1297.

Author, Mr. Horne. Act No. 132. Prohibits superintendents, assistant superintendents, supervising principals and teachers from serving either temporarily or permanently, as officers of the school board by which they are employed. House Bill No. 1312.

Author, Mr. Williams. Act No. 253. Amends Sections 3702, 3703, 3704 and 3705 of the School Code by providing that reimbursement for the transportation of pupils from one school to another for the purpose of better gradation, classification, or other reasons, shall be made.

Senate Bill No. 702.

Author, Mr. Joyce. Act No. 347. Amends the retirement act by extending from three to five years the period during which those who left the school service may be restored to retirement rights. Senate Bill No. 792.

Author, Mr. Mansfield. Act No. 362. Amends Section 906 of the School Code by vesting in the State Council of Education the sole right of supervision over schools and institutions, wholly or partly supported by the State, which are not supervised by public school authorities. These include schools and institutions for the blind and the deaf and dumb.

Senate Bill No. 1456.

Author, Mr. Mansfield. Act No. 378. Amends Sections 2603, 2620 and 2623 of the School Code by providing for the auditing of accounts of school districts of the second and third class by the proper city, borough or township controller or auditors therein.

A late effort to pass a compromise tenure bill failed. The Quick Action Committee authorized President Davidson to represent the Legislative Committee of the P. S. E. A. in a conference with State Superintendent Finegan, Miss Jane Allen of the State Teachers' League, and Mr. J. Buell Snyder, representing the State School Directors' Association. A simple, but fairly satisfactory bill was drawn up and presented to the Educational Committees of the two houses of the Legislature, but failed on the floor of the House by a vote of 114 to 57.

The situation in regard to tenure legislation in the state is very unfortunate. Many of the members of both houses have apparently been goaded into an attitude of bitter hostility to tenure for teachers by the insistent and illchosen lobbying methods of certain friends of tenure through several successive sessions of the State Legislature. After many interviews with influential and intelligent men and women in the Legislature, I am convinced that we will never get a satisfactory tenure through to the Governor until the legislators have had an opportunity to forget their annoyance and soreness toward tenure legislation, by the total absence of lobbying in its interest for a session or two. After such a recess I would anticipate little trouble in securing the passage of a teachers' tenure law. But, on the other hand, I do not believe such a law can be passed in a decade by the methods which have been pursued for several sessions and which, to date, have done little more than make enemies of the cause.

Very respectfully submitted, (Signed) W. G. CHAMBERS, Chairman of Committee on Legislation.