The Washington times., 1913-12-13
SCHOOL GIRLS FIRST,
ADVICE OF HOUSTON
Secretary of Agriculture Tells
Corn Growers He Would
Favor Them in Dispute.


tween the education of the boy and the
girl he would decide in favor of the
latter. David f. Houston, Secretary
OF Agriculture, today addressed himself
to those who had done their tasks
more efficiently than their fellows" and
presented them with diplomas. certify
irg to the fact, bearing his signature
ami the seal Of the department.
Secretary Houston received the
etghty-two prize winning farmer boys
and girls and shook hands with them
as he presented to each the parchment
in recognition Of what they had done.
The Secretary said in part:
III is no small achievement to become
a prize winner in any field OF effort
1t evidences character, intelligence,
persistence, and industry, qualities
which go to the making of responsible
citizens such as the nation needs. You
have undertaken a definite task; you
have accomplished it.
There is another significant thing in
strated that education can be effective
ly given outside of the walls OF the
school building. You enjoy an ad-
vantage even over your elders: 1ou
are in the process Of development; your
minds are hospitahie to new IDEAS ana
to new suggestions.
Praises Girls Work.
"T am glad this Is q co-educational
group and that there are girl champions
as well as boy champions. IL we may
make a comparison, women on the farR
have in many respects the more diff
cult position nd task. They have their
problems, and it is important that they
nave their leaders. Too little attention
has been given to them In the past, and
this defect must be reInedied. We shall
look to the girl champions here for
leadership.
1T is idle. perhaps. to raise the ques-
ton which is the best worth educating, |
the boy or the girl" the Secretary con- |
cluded. 1T is unnecessary to answer
it, but if I were called upon to decide |
the question, l should decide in favor |
of the girl, for the reason that if the |
woman is educated we may be sure
that she will never rest content until |
the man is. while perhaps many an edu- |
the uneducated woman"
March To Department.
The visitors were up bright and early |
this morning and had long since finished !
4 hearty breakfast when Messrs. Ben
son and Msrtin marshalled them in
front of the hotel for the march to the
department They first visited the Bu-
reau of Plant Industry. where short
talks were given them and many ex-
libits displayed
The line of march then headed for
Secretary Houston's office with Walter
Lee Dunson of Alexander City, Ala,
eading the boys, and Miss Clyde Sulli-
IAN of Ousley Ga. heading the girls
column. Young Dunson is the foremost
,orn grower and Miss sullivan is the
champion in canning and tomato work
A short visit was made to the Ma
ional Museum, following the presenta-
ion of diplomas, and just enough of !
he interesting things in the great build
ng were seen to make them wish for
another visit. The program announced
or this afternoon has been changed so
Is to permit the children to visit Mount
vernon. They will leave for the boat
ide Immediately after lunch, and will
lot return until this evening.
Invitations have been received from a
lumber of the churches, as well as
rom the Y. u. G.. A. and the Y w. &.
\, for the children to attend services
omorrow, but here, as tonight, the
-arious sections will exercise their own
discretion as to where they will go.
The Presidents church, and churches
where the Presidents of the past have
seem to be the choices of
many of the children, n portion of whom
will go to Alexandria TO visit Christ's
'hurch. and see the house in which
President George Washington worship
'ed.
Members Are Hospitable.
Marked attention has been paid to the
isitors by the Senators and Represen-
atives of the States from which the
hildren hail. and in many instances
inners, receptions, and other courtesies
ave been extended to them. The LOU
siana delegation, in charge of Miss
lelly, has been particularly blessed
With social attentions, which will in
lude a dinner tomorrow as the guests !
f Senator Ransdell.
Another group of children who have I
cen having specially interesting time
re the six who were brought here at
he expense of a Mrs. Turnr, of Cleve-
and, who started the children to work
n small patch at her summer home,
ear Chaidon, Ohio, before the work
as taken up by the United States or