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as advanced education in the City of Greater New York. I am 
sure that we shall be highly gratified if the outcome of this con- 
ference shall prove to be a positive, substantial contribution to 
this cause. 
STATEMENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AS TO 
THE VALUE OF GENERAL BIOLOGY IN THE 
HIGH SCHOOLS OF GREATER NEW YORK 
In order to secure a full canvass of the opinion of High School 
Principals of Greater New York as to the value of General Biol- 
ogy, a letter was sent to all principals not present at the Confer- 
ence on April 4, reading in part as follows: 
“It has been generally reported that the majority of high 
school principals are either hostile or indifferent to the inclusion 
of elementary biology as a required subject in the high schools of 
Greater New York. The opinions expressed last Friday evening 
raise a grave doubt as to the accuracy of such an opinion and 
there is a considerable body of individuals, having no official con- 
nection whatever with the public school system of the City, who 
are very earnestly interested in the status of elementary biology 
as a high school study. 
“These are the individuals at whose suggestion the undersigned 
called the conference at the Botanic Garden, and it has been sug- 
gested to me as a further step that it would be an advantage to 
secure a brief expression of opinion from all the high school prin- 
cipals who were not present Friday evening. 
“If you are willing to give me such a brief statement, I will 
very greatly appreciate it, and I believe that the result of such a 
canvassing of opinion will not only be appreciated by a large 
number of persons, but will help to arrive at a correct under- 
standing of the situation, and will tend to help toward the most 
desirable solution of a problem which now-appears to be before 
the Associate Superintendent of Schools for decision and final 
action. 
“The questions on which your Opies is asked, may be worded 
gua as follows: 
. Do you consider that elementary biology as now taught in 
