The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-10-24
DOMESTIC SCIENCE
SCHOOL NECESSITY
Commissioners Favor Plan
to Teach Art of House
keeping.
Sanitary Conditions Best
Cared for by Education,
They Say.

The opinion Of the board for the con-
demnation Of unsanitary buildings re-
garding the establishment Of school
of good housekeeping IS shared by the
Commissioners.
such a school" says the board.
which consists Of Capt William Kelly.
Assistant Engineer Commissioner; DR..
W c. woodward, Health Officer, and
SnoWden Ashford, Building Inspector,
would be OF more benefit from a
sociological point OF view imam the
literary and musical knowledge obtained
in connection with q SO-callcd educaJOn
thar seems to produce too frequently
general aversion for anything resem-
bling hard work
While not wishing to disDarage the
ordinary branches of education said
Commissioner Macfarland, I am very
much in favor of the extension OF the
practical courses Of tuition Housekeep-
ing is taught t. q certain extent in our
pub. &c schools, and more attention Is 10
be paid to domestic science IS IL is
called. Not only should the girls re
CeiVe tie benefit of such training at
the hands OF competent instructors, but
the boys also should be taught the
fundamental principles OF good house
keeping Instruction along such lines
cannot help but he beneficial
Great Benefit to Pupils.
The establishment of such a school
strikes me as a good. sound, practical
suggestion" said Commissioner West.
More time and attention devoted TO
the teaching OF the principles of good
housekeeping would. N my opinion, re-
suit IN greater benefit to the pupil than
the study Of the dead languages or the
various 'olOgies.' Recently / promised
my support TO the establishment Of a
private school OF domestic science. and
can see no reason why municipal in
SutuUOn or This kind should not meet
with success Education along practical
lines viii always meet with my ap-
prevail"
DR.. W. c. Woodward. health officer,
who has given much time and study to
the various problems arising from the
prevalence of disease due TO unsanitary
dwellings is in favor OF going a step
further and giving such instruction al
hrst hand in the home
Everything" said he, depends upon
the initiative Of the individual, and the
most that can be done is to place the
1nalVldual in position where he can
and viii take the initiative. And this
can be effected only through education
Art Of Living.
Not necessarily or even chiefly
school education, but education in the
ART Of good living; in the art of keeping
the home, however poor. it may be
clean, and of making tle best use OF
SuCn facilities as II affords for lighting
heating and ventilation: in the art Of
keeping the person and the clothing
cream and or rightly preparing and using
foods.
such Instructions cannot be given fl
school or from books, but must be giyeT
al first hand IN the Aome- Compulsory
process by the health department car
accomplish nothing, but the best anC
most lasting results can and will bC
obtained. not by Inc man or woman WHO
goes into the home primarily as d rep.
resentative of the Government but the
man or woman VINO enters the home q.
a friend, not only to advise but to show
how things must be done.
The most that law can do toward
this end is 10 provide methods whereby
danger spots can be located. and this
personal instruction be directed first Il
the places where the greatest need eX
lists. Private organizations have already
entered upon just such educationa
work as this. but they must receivG
much greater financial support or Other
agencies must enter the field II ever
reasonable progress Is to be made"