Development

The redoubtable Governors Ferguson (see p. 9) of Texas have solved the knotty problem of man's origin. They perceived that while "evolution" has become anathema among good Baptists, the same flower of evil, though by another name, would smell but half as poisonous. So by administrative fiat it was decreed, and last week Manhattan publishers admitted, that biology textbooks, intended for use among God-fearing Texans, should refer to mankind's "development" and other phases of the ape-to-man theory should be toned down, by deletion or other euphemisms. Thus, 28 pages of a biology text by Truman Moon of Littletown (N. Y.) High School were deleted in toto, and to save argument Author Moon was not even consulted about it. Statements like, "Evolution is a slow and gradual process," and "It must be remembered that the upright position of man is an acquired position," were simply left out. Upright Texas believers may now trust their children abroad in the fearsome school world. Intelligent Texans, the theory has it, will understand the diplomatic Fergusons' little gesture and explain to their children what "development" really means.