Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1911-08-17

A1dIkdTel Il, BROWNING IN the 3SNl IN OF on
Star.
the wife of the first socialist elect
eded to congress. Mrs. Victor l.. Berger
has been one OF the interesting additions
TO the congressional SCI and has been. in
a way. In a class by herself. But Mrs.
Berger has proved Very adaptable and
mas affiliated with the wonen of both pol
ltical divisions with such good results that
washington knows much more about
propaganda of the socialists now than it
dld three months ago. She is co,npan-
ionable and not averse to explaining all
That one wishes TO know about this politi-
cal cult. wh.c, is so strong in Europe.
Il took quiet pleasure in the fact that l
was rather a subject of s,ispicion,' said
Mrs. Berger. "and l have no doubt that
many, believe all that is said against
socialism and its followers. ! always care
fully explain that 1t is unwise TO believe
the first stories told of anything which
pears the brand new or unusual. | need
not go back into history and tell how the
followers of every reform or of reformed
religion nave been prosecuted and sus-
pected. Washington is assuredly a we'll
bred city and its people may be curious or
dubious, but not Obtrusive nor bigoted.
Every one believes that socialists are diff
ferent beings. whereas we are just the
same as others. only try.ng to solve some
vital problems which have grown out of
modern conditions. My husband is fond
of relating that those who nave not
studied socialism believe that all It's adj
! herents are l~ong-haired men and short
haired women.
II always like to explain that the So
cialism to which / am devoted heart. soul
and mind, is entirely political and without
reference to religion at all. To prove this,
the men who voted to send my husband to
congress were composed OF all shades of
religious belief. and of the 5000 who
have adopted this political creed in our
locality a good one-tifth are Catholics,
lrishmen as we'll as Poles and
We have a simple war cry. and that is
for the nation to own the trusts, and not
the trusts the nation. so that all may have
an equal chance. This does not interfere
with the religious tenets of any one nor
does 1t attempt to dictate how a man or
woman shall worship God. / nave been
asked so many questions OH this portion
of my politics that 1 naturally launch in
to 1T and get into deep water unawares.''
Mrs. Berger was reared in the Lutheran
faith. but since going into social studies
she has affiliated herself with no part:cu-
lar creed, but has taken part in the
various religious movements organized to
reach the masses OF the people. But her
main interest Is in the schools. She was
a public school teacher in Milwaukee
when she married Victor Berger IA years
ago. Hell intense desire to remedy what
she thinks radical defects IN the Ameri-
can school system has never abated, and
she is at present one of the dominant
forces on the school board of her home
city. She is the first woman ever elected
to that body. though several women had
served previously through appointment.
Her election was by a tremendous major
ity Sh 10, IN ni,~ ~,, - Al.-. :-
committees on the board. those dealing
with the text books, the buildings and the
course of instruction.
I'm amir these committees" said
Mrs. Berger. II proclaim the points on
which / hope TO make a complete change
throughout this country. I think lie the
question We're placed plainly before those
who take final action on how our Children
are 70 be educated that this change would
come at once. Buildings and text books
are themes which mus be treated accord
ing to local conditions. SO that these two
are slbservicnt, in everything which / do,
to the course of instruction. This IS the
point which takes up my most absorbing
attention. and it is in the graded or gram
mar schools where l hope to realize my
ambition. j should like to see all useless
so that when a boy or girl has gone
through the eight grades both may pos
sess a complete practical education.
when it is considered that for the
large number of American boys and girls
these grades will be all tie education
which they will get my contention as.
sumes the proportions of an absolute
right. Many boys and girls do not even
nave the advantages of all the grades.
but become a Part of the working world
after completing the fifth. sixth and sew
enth grades. Now l want to denude the
tree of education of all ornamental
J branches in these grades. I see no sense
in teaching algebra. banking-any such
variety of mathematics and devote the
time to common arithmetic, especially
mental arithmetic, which is such o devel-
oper OF the mind Take 1000 boys in the
sixth. seventh and eighth grades of any
school. how many out of that proportion
will need algebra or the laws of %banking
If they choose such avocations as need
calculus and the like they must go tc
special and higher schools. ] could &c
down the list Of studies in the GRADED
schools and show those / consider utterl,
useless for the man or woman in the low.
err walks of life. / am entirely willing to
have all the culture and extra knowledge
in the high or normal schools. but the
graded ones should be kept down strictly
to the groundwork of education, to the
eolN AouludlloH WHlcn IS N1plled III Cnf
old method of reading, writing and arith,
met.c.
While these essentials remain neglect
ed. for a smattering of nature stud!es, Of
physics and a shallow course in many
.sns and ans. I think the system inef
~fective. After eight years schooling ever,
parent has a right to expect that the state
has given the child an education which