The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-01-05
RETIREMENT Of
RURAL SCHOOLS
Editors Listen to Address by
Committeeman.
GREATEST NEED OF The STATE
Address OF Col. J. 3. McFerran, Chair
man Of Rural School Development
Committee, Before Kentucky
Press Association.

no inconsiderable embarrassment that
venture TO appear before your hon.
orable body. There are three reasons
which impel me to the duty. First,
because ! am a native OF the old com
monwealth which | dearly love; sec
ondly. because OF my deep sympathy
for, and interest in, the welfare, ad,
vancement and happiness of nearly
million children of our state, and last
ly, because ! am hidden to 1t by the
Louisville Commercial club.
Within the horizon of my limited
capacity, l can see no more important
field of effort than better to care for
the children OF the state-children OF
to-day--but citizens OF tomorrow
The census tables Of 1900 have
shown us up in very unenviable
light. IS per cent of illiteracy. prac-
tically second in tuberculosis and
third In blindness.
Old School Law.
Under the old school law we had
three district trustees, instead of one,
as now, and It was stated on seeming
ly good authority that there were five
thousand OF them that could neither
read nor write.
We have in a very large number OF
cases the old barrel stove. generally
cracked. with long pipe Offering
more or less free escape of deadly
gases. In the cold Of winter this
stove, usually placed in the center OF
the small room, frequently red hot,
burns the children sitting near, and
freezes those more distant
The water supply. often insufficient,
sometimes brought long distances In
| the old rusted and battered bucket,
| open TO all the dust and atmospheric
| impurities. Then the rusted, battered
| single dipper to serve all the children
and they often carelessly drinkin'
only part OF the water, the balance be
ing thrown back into the bucket for
| later Corners. Is II wonder that
schools are closed by outbreaks OF
| diphtheria, whooping cough. measles
scarlet fever. tonsilitis and kindred
troubles?
| have no hesitancy in expressing
my strong belief that many, II not a
large majority, of these troubles have
their incipiency in our method. OF
rather want OF sane method, IN
lighting, heating and ventilating oul
present small, lily prepared schoo
houses.
There are comparatively few OF oui
rural school buildings that can be con
verted into sanitary and healthfu
structures. think every dollar ex
pended from year to year in trying tC
make these houses answer their pur
poses Is money wasted. The practica
and wise thing to do is to replace then
with new, up-to-date structures on am
pie grounds with proper equipment 70,
effectual work.
How Provide the Funds.
In considering the problem we ar,
met at the outset by the financial diff
ficulty-where and how are We to &c
lump sums of money in such amounts
as the situation demands? The small
districts are generally unable 10 stant
the burden OF taxation and the larges
and wealthlest could not place bond
except at high rates of interest.
After much thought and discussion
we have concluded that the speedlest
most economical and comprehensive
way to successfully and fully meet tn
question is by the issue of count
bonds for a lengthy period, say 3
years.