Education is the most effective weapon the democracies have with which to fight communism, Dr. Joseph A. Riehl, professor of history of Southwestern Louisiana Institute, told the opening meeting today of the institute for New Orleans elementary public school teachers.
Speaking on "Living and Learning Democracy in an Elementary School," Dr. Riehl said the "real problem of our time is to see which can outlast the other-communism or democracy."
"The Russians consider ideological weapons more important than tanks and bombs and have said that their ideas, principles and doctrines will ultimately triumph," the educator said. "They leave us no choice but to make ourselves more effective in classrooms, where we can begin the final defeat of their doctrines in the minds and hearts of men."
Schools Closed
The institute is the first such assembly held in New Orleans in the past 20 years, and is part of the in-service training program for teachers and administrative personnel of elementary schools here.
White schools of the city are closed today and tomorrow; Negro schools Thursday and Friday.
Donald Marshall, assistant superintendent, division of instruction, presided at the assembly at C. J. Colton school this morning.
Dr. Fred Cole, dean of the college of arts and sciences at Tu-lane, discussed "Development of World Understanding."
"As Americans," he said, "we are firmly convinced we are the greatest nation in the world, and are somewhat intolerant of nations who have not achieved as much as wre have. Work for Ideals
"If we do not succeed in teaching tolerance at home, we can never achieve world understanding. It is our obligation to try to bring other nations of the world ideals and goals similar to our own. We must make ours more* than a material leadership." Following the general assembly, a number of sectional meetings were held in different classrooms of the school.
Major discussion was that centering around "the assential requisites for an effective school program in a living democracy," with Miss Carmelite Janvier, director of special services of the New Orleans public schools as chairman.
Hundreds Attend
The physical, mental, emotional and social development of children was discussed by Dr. Myron Wegman, LSU medical school; Dr. L. W. Rowlands, Louisiana School for Mental Health; Dr. Jan Stevenson, LSU medical school; and the Rev. Fred Digby, executive director, Associated Catholic Charities.
Several hundred elementary school teachers attended. PHOTO CAPTIONS READ: DR. FRED COLE; DR JOSEPH A. RIEHL
