The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-09-05
VALUE OF AN EDUCATION.
Statistics Show Progress Made IN
Countries Where llliterates Are Few.

Statistics Show Progress Made In
Countries Where Illiterates Are Few.
IF | were asked to name with one
word the source of all progress in the
labor movement that stands for the ele-
walton of the human race would reply
without hesitation, Education" says a
writer in an exchange.
IF l was asked the cause of evil con-
ditions that beset the labor movement
and other great movements that make
for the social uplift would reply with
equal readiness, ignorance, lack OF edu-
cation" the writer continues.
1.-THE standard of living and the
working condition of the masses In any
country or government, as well as their
political and social prestige, depend
directly upon the standard of educa-
ton among the common people. In
countries where the percentage of the
uneducated is high, good government is
unknown. The best governments. where
the people have voice, will be found
in countries where the light of educa-
ton has penetrated the masses.
THUS in Germany only one man out
of a thousand is unable to read and
write, in Switzerland three out of ev'
cry thousand, in France sixty-nine, and
so on up. Switzerland is noted as the
home of the initiative and referendum
I, hn
many, England and France have made
wonderful strides toward popular gov
eminent during the last few years.
The working classes of England have
probably the strongest political party
in the world, and in Germany the So
cialist party, which is the Labor party
there, has more than 100000 votes.
The workers have done things in these
countries because there are few that
are unable to read and write and be-
cause of the higher standard Of educa-
ton.
"On the other hand, witness the re-
suits Of the lack Of education. In
Spain 6S1 men out of every thousand
are unable to read and write; in Por-
tugal 100 out of every thousand; in
Russia GIT.
"These statistics tell their own sto-
ry. We know that the people Of these
countries are the most downtrodden
and miserable of any white people
on the face of the earth, all because
they lack the education to cope with
their political and industrial masters.
I'm our own country we have about
106 out Of every thousand people over
ten years of age that are illiterate.
Who are these ignorant people? Some
of them are among the foreign born;
some of them are among the negroes
and the back woodsmen of the south.
But I am ashamed to say that to my
knowledge some of them are among
the American trade unionists.
statistics and facts prove that bet
ter education will improve the stand
ard Of living and make better govern
ment Therefore it is the duty of
every good citizen to try to raise the
standard of education.
1--WE trade unionists can safely leave
the uneducated negroes and foreigners
to evolution and philanthropy, but the
education of the trade unionist is our
immediate concern. Upon the stand
ard of education in the unions to
certain extent, depend our wages and
working conditions. believe that the
workers are beginning to realize this
and that the best results will be OBJ
tanned by devoting some of their funds
toward educating their members"