New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-15
DIR. MONTESSORI
LIKES OUR SCHOOLS
Says Interest Shown in
Welfare of Children Here
Is Token of Great Race.
ITALIAN TEACHER
SHES AT SLIT SKIRT
Thinks Americans Most Intelli-
gent People in World-Hand-
Shake Pleases Her.

DR.. Maria Montessori thinks Ameri-
cans are the most intelligent people in the
world. She arrives at this point of view
after ten days Of experience with all
classes of citizens from college presidents
latter however, she was discreetly silent
when she talked last night at the Hotel
Plaza about her impressions OF America.
Her reasons for calling Americans in
tellgent is that they respond more quick
ly than do the people OF any other coun-
try 10 fineness Of thought In her adj
dresses she finds quicker appreciation OF
the niceties OF thought than she ever eX-
perienced from audiences of European
countries. That means, she said. a higher
level OF civilization; We had been able to
leap to the high places OF existence with
out travelling the long road necessary for
the people Of less enlightened govern
ments.
The interest OF Americans in children
was token of a great race and bespoke
a great future for us. The Intelligence OF
any country was I'm direct proportion 10
It's interest in the welfare Of its children
Historians, she said. had traced the DOWN
fail OF the civilization OF Egypt directly
TO their neglect OF the child.
IAN the homage which the American
people have lavished upon me-. SAID Dr'
Montessori. IL accept not as tribute 10
me personally, but as homage to the
child.
zone thing which has pleased and
touched me above all others is your Gus
tom of the handshake. We never eS-
perience that in Europe. IL Is never pos
sible 10 meet people so intimately TO tell
from the contact Of their hands ana the
EXPRESSION OF their eyes how much they
are in sympathy. That is how feel |
understand the American people, though
cannot speak their Language.
another remarkable thing is the mag
nifcence Of the palaces you have erected
10 your children. have seen your
schools. and / marvel at their grandeur.
In Providence, r l., | visited the state
Normal school, and | saw some OF the
schools in Washington. In Boston IN the
Public Library. I saw the fulhinent Oh
one Of my dearest dreams | had always
had a vision Of a little room for chill
dren. where there would be tittle tables
and chairs and books and pictures espe-
cially selected for children. but / never
dreamed such a place really existed
As for any other impressions OF your
America-it has been mostly feast OF
Tantalus So many beautiful cities. l
have seen so many people with whom
/ should have liked to talk. but al
WAYS | must hurry away. Your SKY
scrapers impress me tremendously, es-
paclally at night. when they are lighted
W.. have nothing like them In Rome.
Mime Montessori had a little visit with
Miss Margaret Wilson when she was
in Washington, but she did not see
the President because Of his illness she
Is TO be entertained at tea at the
White House when she returns to WASH
lngton the second time.
Asked what she thought OF the Amerl-
can slit skirt she looked puzzled, and
shook her head. Miss Anne r. George
who serves as Interpreter on public
occasions for Nine. Montessori. had TO
illustrate in pantomime just what A Silt
skirt was.
Anything is good" she said demurely'
which adds to comfort. lf the sKir'
az you describe gives freedom, and per-
mits the wearer TO receive more pleasure
from walking. it is to be commended.
often think that il is the men who
have all the comfortable things TO
wear. while women have to sacrifice
every comfort TO beauty. See how easy
II is for man 10 take on MS nat
lie has the short hair. Is this not un-
fair that the man should have all the
comfort OF short hair himself ana
the pleasure OF looking at the beautiful
long hair OF women?
"Do | think men should return to long
hair. or women to short? We'll. not that
but IL is true that men were much more
attractive In the days when they wore
long curls. plated and powdered.
mo race can cultivate beauty until II
demands beauty from its individuals.
The Greeks insisted upon the cultivation
OF the body. They saw beauty eveiy-
where about them, therefore their sculp-
tors were able To create the immortal
types OF beauty Il should be a part or
every chlld's education to understand the
principles OF beauty in every torm'
Dancing and art appreciation chould be
a part Of every school lie
Beauty Is not the most essential thing
in life. OF course. We must not return to
the pagan conception of things. beauty
is only a means to an end. It's position
is illustrated In this old Italian folk tale
The woman. It says, may have beauty
that Is zero In itself. She may nave
charm. zero. She may have talent, W.T.
intelligence; all these are zero II they
stand alone. She may have great SOUL
however. and that counts as one. Then
when YOU have the one you can add all
the zeros, and they increase the total