98 
us all, but would throw considerable light upon the questions we 
are called together to discuss. But I have received a letter from 
Dr. Tildsley, at the last moment, in which he states that there is a 
business engagement in connection with the Board of Education 
which absolutely requires his presence this evening, and he can- 
not possibly be here. I therefore take the liberty of reading a 
paragraph from his letter to me: ; 
“T am not especially for or against’ high school biology. I have seen 
some work that impressed me as having great value; I have seen some 
work that impressed me as having little value. I think there is no subject 
in the high schools taught with such inequality of results.” 
That, perhaps, might be a guiding thought in some of the re- 
marks of those who are to speak. Dr. Tildsley has asked Mr. 
Rexford to speak in his place. 
Mr. Rexford: Mr. Chairman. Iam glad to represent Dr. Tilds- 
ley. Allow me to read what I have written down. This is what 
I think he would say if he were here: 
“T do not want to see either biology or general science a ‘required sub- 
ject’ at the expense of the other—and | have no fear that such a situation 
will exist. Each of these subjects, I believe, should stand on its own feet, 
so to speak, as an elective, and should be ‘te tified or condemned by its 
accomplishment in giving the child such scientific knowledge as he needs 
to know, wants to know, and has a right to know.’* 
It is rather an embarrassing position to put a person in, to try 
to say, perhaps, what the other man would say. I shall hand Dr. 
Tildsley this in the morning, and tell him he said it. I thank 
you. 
The Chairman: [ think we will agree with Mr. Rexford that 
this is a difficult position to put him in. Principal Bogart, or 
Morris High School, was one of the first men to agree to be pres- 
ent and give us his ideas. Principal Bogart. 
Principal Bogart: Mr. Chairman. I have been principal of a 
school about sixty-nine days; I have visited a great many classes, 
and this is the first thought I formed, and which I want to ex- 
press here: In going about among the classes (community civics, 
* Note: Mr. Rexford read a statement covering several pages of manu- 
script. Matter read was not taken down by the stenographer, and at the 
close of the conference Mr. Rexford would leave with the Chairman only 
the last paragraph of his statement, as quoted a 
