The Topeka state journal., 1908-05-19
A FAIR WARMING
FRON OTHER PENS
SHORTENING SCHOOL LIFE.

made by Chicago teacher of the
length of school life in that city plans
are now being discussed through which
1t is hoped that boys can be encouraged
to continue at school until the school
life OF the average boy is at least as
long as that Of the average girl. The
only appearance of novelty in the dis
cussion is the idea that boys leave
school prematurely because they are in
some way discouraged. AS it is known
that girls generally continue at school
longer than boys, this takes it for
granted that they are less easily dis
couraged or perhaps more easily en-
couraged.
Probably in every other American
city, as in ST. Louis. boys are often en-
couraged at home with the idea that
school course they will be ready to be-
gin work, either to help support the
family or to support themselves. 1t is
not to the discredit of the average boy
or of his parents that under such en-
couragement he advances, as 1t were,
in front of his sisters and helps to pro-
tect them. as far as may be. from the
pressure under which finally their
school life. Is also reduced. - Many girls
also are forced to leave school for
work, as their families can no longer
find support from the work of the
father. 1
The investigation which could pry in
to everything that is held most secret
because it is felt to be most sacred
in family life might show instructive
heroism, fortitude, patience against the
worst difficulties, with fathers and
mothers struggling silently to hold the
| family together against increasing
pressure which operates to scatter 1t
before the children are ready to face
life alone. When by some Instinct OF
family preservation boys are first sac
| rificed in this pressure they are not dis
couraged. They go as volunteers.-St.
Louis Republic.
MUNICIPAL RESEARCH.
DR.. William H. Allen. secretary of
the bureau of municipal research of
New York, gave expression to a truth
that should be emphasized over and
! over again when he said: Every city
needs a constant searchlight upon
| their work of informing the public
yery well, but it is too much to ex-
pect that a newspaper will have an
| Investigating board ipQuiring into
the official routine of all the munich
pal departments all the time. It is
obvious too, that little reliance can
| be placed on official reports which
partake of the nature OF political
| documents and always praise the ex-
listing administration. One OF these
! boasts may come reasonably near the
| truth, and another may be made up
of a string of false assertions in which
| nerve and assurance are made to
| count in place of facts.
York has got by such barriers of
INSTRUMENTATION, and the exposures
it has made have led to important re-
forms. Complete publicity Is sure
| cure, for as Dr. Allen says, the polite
| ian does not live who will go before his
constituents and say he is a CRATER .
| In support of the bureau an instruc-
| tive analogy may be drawn from the
| work of the Municipal Voters league
| OF this city. The league has won out
| conscientious, because it is served by
| capable men and is strictly nom
/ partisan, having no purpose in view
| but the good of the city. It's word
4 has been taken quite naturally In
| many cases against the word Of in
| terested politicians. But it could ac-
complish still more if it had the ma
/ terials at hand which bureau of
municipal research could furnish
Chicago Record-Herald.
| "NEWSPAPER STORIES"
In his recent address before the stu
/ dents of Harvard on Opportunities Of
Journalism" Norman Hapgood, editor
of Golfers Weekly, laid stress on the
| Importance of a reporters training as
a school In accuracy, and in ability to
grasp both sides Of question. and all
| the facts relating to a given subject.
The public often, in fact habitually.
nnderestimates the efforts made by
newspaper reporters to secure accurate
| fnfofmafion, and present 1t accurately.
| I'm & majority Of cases inaccurate
| s+afemer,ts appearing in newspapers
are due as much to persons who care
Iess,v give reports misleading or inac-
c1,rate information as to the reporters
Themselves. Accuracy is the first quail
itv demanded by reputable news
issnaner ~ of its reporters. Absolute
acc,racy in every item of the thou
sands appearing in a single issue OF
q newspaper, may not be possible
in the rush of daily Journalism;
hut II would be nearer accomplish
| rnan+ II the public held somewhat
hirher and more just estimate of the
4 sario,,s purpose of newspaper men to
1 secure accurate information. and show
ed .sreater exactness when calieo upon
l TO furnish Information on is nSws mat