Smarts to School

Because they objected to "lockstep" education, Arthur Smart and his wife Mary, of Vineland, N. J., would not send their children to public school. Mrs. Smart taught small Arthur, 9, and Elizabeth, 7, while Citizen Smart looked on in approval. Last month local school officials took steps to compel them to send the children to school (TIME, May 2). Much to their relish, the Smarts were interviewed and photographed by metropolitan newshawks. Last week they were again in the news. The time had come for Mrs. Smart to prove publicly her fitness to teach.

To the hearing in the stuffy little Commons Pleas Courtroom at Bridgeton, N. J. went hundreds of curious folk, mostly parents. Citizen Smart, a Canadian Army veteran, put on his uniform and four medals. Mrs. Smart testified she had been graduated from a New York grammar school, had had one year in high school. Her children, she said, were learning reading, writing, arithmetic, "moral ethics, character building and allied subjects." Then small Arthur Smart read a fairy tale. Elizabeth Smart did sums.

Mrs. Ada Adams, a school principal, called to give an opinion, testified that the children, though able, were below the average for their age.

Ruled Judge Stanger: "These children should go to school. It would be a sad day for America and a step toward feudalism if parents started teaching their own children the sentiments of a family instead of the uniform standards of modern education."

Said Citizen Smart, bowing and jingling his medals, "As a soldier I will obey the edict of the court."

Wherever the Smarts went, the reporters were sure to go. Next day they followed the children to school. Arthur and Elizabeth, they noted, did their work well, enjoyed the experience. Soldier Smart followed them about, too, but assured the reporters he would not interfere.

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