The Parents Said Tacoma's Schools Were Failing. The Typesetter Who Set Their Letter Answered Back.

To the Editor of the Times:

Dear Sir—Mrs. E. H. B., in a recent number of the Times, says she thinks there is something wrong with the public school system.

The system may be all right, but I know, and almost every man and woman in Tacoma knows, that there is something wrong with the Tacoma schools. I believe that the children of Tacoma are naturally as intelligent as the children of any other city, but they are not up to date in education. I know a little girl who is now in the same grade that she was in a year ago, having failed to pass twice in succession, and she is a smart girl, too.

Now I want to ask, who is to blame? Children go to school year after year and can't pick up a newspaper and read an article so as to be understood.

There is entirely too much foolishness in the Tacoma schools. Children should be taught spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic, which is far more beneficial to them than learning how to make dolls and cut and fold papers.

If teachers would teach the children, instead of sitting and letting the scholars teach each other, it would be a great deal better. They have what they call monitors, and, from what I can learn, the work is work that the teacher should perform. I understand that the promotion cards in some of the schools are made up by scholars appointed by the teachers. I know scholars that have been kept back in their grades, while others whose cards were marked lower were allowed to pass.

How long will the parents of the children of the public schools of Tacoma submit to this way of running the city schools? It is time that our school board and superintendents, principals and teachers were given to understand that the parents have something to say about the education of their children.

One can do no good alone, because if you dare enter an objection your children will get the worst of it at school. This is a well-known fact, and fathers and mothers are afraid to say a word against the city schools. We should get together and talk this matter over and see if there can't be something done.

F. M. R.

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To the Editor of the Times:

Dear Sir—As a linotype operator in your employ, it has been part of my labors the "setting up" of letters from various persons attacking our public school system and its instructors. I have just finished a "take," a communication from one "F. M. R.," which is a good illustration of the average letters on this subject.

I was raised in Tacoma, and my school education, the extent of which is limited to the grammar grades, was acquired in this city, and I have at present two children attending school. I naturally take an interest in my children's education and keep in close touch with their progress. My observation of our school system and its teachers compels only the highest admiration, and I believe if these correspondents would visit the schools, talk with their children's teachers and find out the why and wherefore of the various things their children are taught to do, they will learn there is method in it all, and instead of finding fault with the teachers in the presence of their children — causing a lack of proper respect — will appreciate their efforts in the children's behalf.

A proper investigation would prove to "F. M. R." that the children ARE taught spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic, and by methods that put the average pupil of today far ahead of the school children of 15 to 25 years ago.

Suppose the printer was to set these communications as written, with the different misspelled words, such as "allmost," "naturally," "schollars," "parrents" and "mounters" for "monitors," and without any regard for punctuation, paragraphing, et cetera, as contained in the copy of "F. M. R.," would not readers of the Times be inclined to doubt the quality of the "school system" in which the correspondent received his learning?

The latter part of "F. M. R.'s" letter seems to indicate that he receives his impressions from parents of children who are not as apt as their schoolmates. These particular children's condition could no doubt be improved if the parents would visit the schools and talk it over with the teachers, instead of criticising them.

If you see fit to publish this, I ask to please not hide it behind initials, but let it go signed,

O. A. MALSTROM.