Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-01-26

this could be accomplished Parents
ana teachers had mutual interests in
such problems as punctuality, obedi,
ehce, cleanliness and the better sani-
tation Of home and city. Mr.. Dodson
said all they asked was a few dron
lights, and they would make the ef-
iort 10 get the Parents to come out and
take greater interest.
DR.. AVlsOn Likes IL.
Mr. Weist, principal Of the Engle
wood school, spoke for the social cen.
Ter movement as conductive to better
conditions, and better understand
ing. AT the conclusion of his remarks
Dr. Avison, of the First M. E. church.
spoke OF the value of the movement
for higher specialization Of the neigh
Dorhood. He said the school house
should be made the common ground
for meetings Of an uplift character. He
considered the establishment of the
branch libraries very important. No
such station once opened would ever
be closed, and he hoped the idea of an
assembly room with good literature,
could be added. The use of the build
ings should be extended to the needs
OF the community, such as improve
ment associations, mothers clubs and
civic societies, 1t would enable the
teaching force to come in closer con-
tact with the homes and give the
.neighbors a chance to get acquainted
as they never would in any other way
on account of church and political di-
visions of society. DR.. Avison moved
that Mr.. Dodson and two others, to be
selected by him, be made committee
to cooperate with the central commit
tee in making the Yew Park school
social center. He believed the dem
onstration should be made in one vi
cinity, and, If 1t proved a success,
the work could be extended to all
parts Of the city. He believed 1t was
a matter Of growth, and would be
adopted by each ward school Of the
city when 1t was understood. His mo-
tion was adopted and Principal Dod-
son was so appointed.
CO-OperatiOn and Inspiration.
Mesrs. Roberts and Presnall, of
spoke for their neighbor-
hood, where a new school house is to
be erected. The latter spoke of the in
spiration coming from cooperation
among neighbors and Of elders getting |
In touch with the children. Both said |
they would be glad indeed IL It were
possible to have an assembly hall and |
gymnasium combined in their new
ward school, and Mr.. Roberts was ap-
pointed to meet with the school board |
and present the'needs Of school houses
being constructed for the purpose of
making them an easily accessible meet
Ing place for the neighborhood
City Superintendent Powers hearth
Iy endorsed the movement School
houses we're constantly being farther
removed from the centers and must
become centers themselves to meet
The growing needs Of the cities. That
meant not only a comfortable assem-
bly, room, but one open at times dur
ing the week for parents as well as
children. There was not good rea-
son why school houses should not
be in use twelve months in the year,
rs we'll as nine The slower chill
iren could get great benefits by hav-
ng three months more to catch up in,
instead of accommodating dust and cob
webs. The reading room and library
would be a good start.
Dean Patterson.
DIR. Patterson, OF Willamette Uni
spoke Of the great results OBJ
aimed at Rochester, N. Y, by making
he school houses social centers and
showed that In that city so per cent OF
he people owned their own homes.
rhe school as a social center devel-
,ped and emphasized the home spirit
md a great solidarity Of the home
,pirit was what was needed. It un-
Ierlaid social problems, and he was
ylad to see this movement taking
Ihape.
A. A. Lee and Paul Wallace both
endorsed the movement and Mr.. Wal
ace moved a committee Of three tc
present the matter of trying to make
..-.us...--u----s