Your letter of 5th addressed to the Chairman of the Council of Defense has been received by the Chairman and answered. The whole board, however, has seriously considered it in a meeting held today.

The plans suggested by you are admirable and we ought by every means possible to reach the children of the Public Schools of the County, but, how is this to be done with the Superintendent of Public Instructions in the County a pronounced pacifist and recognized everywhere as pro-German? He is the medium through which we would hope to reach the children, but certainly we would not deem it prudent or practicable to invoke his aid in the matter.

We have several times called the attention of Mr. Joyner, Superintendent of Public Instructions to the attitude of Mr. Alderman, County Superintendent and have urged that some effort be made to relieve us of the situation with which we are confronted. Up to now nothing has been done so far as we know, even by admonition, certainly no positive efforts have been taken.

About a month ago at the invitation of the County Board of Education we appeared before that body and presented what we regarded as proof of disloyal views entertained by Mr. Alderman. A stenographer took down the evidence and proceedings, -and we are informed the whole was sent to Mr. Joyner,- but up to now no action has been taken by that Board and it is not likely that any will be. We are met, therefore, in any effort we undertake to make with the schools, with disfavor on the part of the Superintendent. We do think that something ought to be done and done speedily. 

We wrote Dr. Joyner on the subject, as stated, and his reply was that he doubted very much whether Mr. Alderman had been understood to which we replied that he had not been misunderstood.

It is not time for hesitation and uncertainty about this matter. We do insist that some proper action shall be had to rid the County of this influence upon the school children of the County. If something is not done, the citizens in a mass meeting will take the matter up, but it is much better to have official action from the proper source.

We are sending copies of this letter to Governor Bickett and Mr. Joyner.