Newark post., 1912-07-31
STATE COLLEGES
AND THE PEOPLE

writers free TO tell the truth! II
not. why not ?" and "What can be
done about it," are subjects Of dis
cltssion ut the first National News
paper Conference now being held
at the State University at Madison,
Wisconsin.
This conference is being held un-
der the auspices Of the university,
which is doing SO much toward the
idea Of the State College becoming
real factor in public service. Not
only is this State University the
center Of education, but it is force
for good in the whole social life of
the state. There is no phase of So
ciety that is Of interest to the state
but that the university has shown
AN inclination to play part. 1t
has become the bureau of informa-
ton and clearing house for prog
ress. Judging from reports, this
influence has been Of great moment.
From this innovation-the News
paper Conference, there promises
to be much good. Leaders i'll the
newspaper and magazine world will
address the convention and will
no doubt lead to clearer under
standing Of the duties and respon>
Sibilities of the publishing business.
The idea of the university taking
up such a practical and work-a-day
question is most interesting III that
it shows the trend of the times.
What a force for good could our
college here he in this little State
by adopting this idea Of public ser
vice. The Agricultural Department
with it's extension work is eXchang-
ing ideas with the man on the farm
and both are benefited. With this
idea running through all the de.
partments. the college could throw
out an unestimated influence and
at the same time get in better touch
with the people for whom the insti-
tuition is maintained.
The college i'll Delaware and the
people are not acquainted Neither
understands the needs and ideals of
the other. The college should know
these people and instead of trying
to keep abreast should be the leader
in everything that stands for civic
and social hetterment. OF course,
the college stands for this. but she is
not taking the active part that these
newer times demand.
Delaware is experiencing the
same unrest that is found every
where and it only needs some strong
power to centralize these energies.
It is sadly surprising to 90 in the
lower part Of the State where this
aWakenine is becoming daily more
prominent and hear men ask ''what
does the college stand for i'll the life
OF our better citizenship ?"
This is due to lack Of co-opei'a-
ton and mere acquaintance. And
the college must make the advance
or fail in the realization Of great
opportunities.
This Wisconsin idea could well
be put in effect here. The rural
editors of the State are but slightly
acquainted with our State institll.
ton. Their attention has not been
attracted to the work being done
and the possibilities offered. An in
Vitation to these men to visit the in
stitution for a conference on the
educational legislation before the
next General Assembly would bt
the means Of q clearer idea of oul
needs. These men could give help
ful suggestions and render goo(
service in attracting the attention
Of all the people of the State.
We should like to see such Il con
ference. The Faculty, the Stat,
Board Of Education and tn
county schools superintendent
with the other representative or
carnations and interested privat
citiZens-with the publicity Of on
rural editors down the State ther
would be a feeling Of joint owner
ship and responsibility. Much 0
what is now questionedvsas misd
rected energy would be centralize
toward common end in view. Th
college could better and more eff
GENTLY play the part of leader j
the training Of our boys and girl
Also, it would tend toward the linl
ing of our public schools with th