Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-15
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT is DOING

ments. officials realize. has dozen OPP
portunities 6. day to either hurt or
hinder the work of department. &C
cording to his tact and ability In hand
ling difficult problems as they come up 10
him. Secretary Houston believes that the
| work will 60 we'll under the direction OF
Mr. Wharton. who, notwithstanding the
fact that he Is new to Washington. has
full conception of the scope OF work or
the department. and the Secretary be-
lieves further that the work can be done
in such a way to make 1t thoroughly
satisfactory both to the thousands OF
people over the country who want infor-
nation on agriculture and also TO the
many newspaper and magazine writer's
who apply to the department for ma
terial.
Commissioner Claxton of the bureau of
education finds that in listing the degrees
of the various universe
Educational ties. colleges and tech
biological schools through
O06AeeS' out the country there is
a marked increase in the variety of de-
grees which are now conferred by various
institutions.
The bachelor and masters degrees of
science, law or medicine are, of course.
familiar to every schoolboy, but there
are few people who have heard of the de-
gree, for example, of bachelor of human
, les, which has been announced by the
International Y. NJ c. A. Training School
Of Springfield. Mass. Another interest
ing degree which has been conferred dur
ing the past year is that Of doctor of
philanthropy and charity. which was con-
ferred by concurrent resolution of the
| HI
| tleman 'as a fitting testimonial Of his
worth and usefulness and life labor in
the vineyard, and as a benefactOr to
South Cardinals unfortunate children
Others of the more novel or unusual de-
grees which are conferred by a few insti-
tutions have been listed by DR.. Claxton as
follows: Master of landscape architecture
and master of business administration.
Harvard University. bachelor of ora
tory for four colleges in Texas and one in
Missouri; master of diplomacy. George
Washington University: licentiate of in
struction. Allen University, colored, South
Carolina: bachelor of elements. Dallas
College. Oregon: doctor of military sci
ence. Pennsylvania Military College, and
doctor Of physical culture and health,
Ohio Northern University.
The growing tendency toward speciaIi-
cation of colleges will. it is believed by
educational experts. result in an increase
in the number of degrees and in the crea-
ton of many new degrees other than the
novel ones which the commissioner of
education has listed.
The thousands Of school children and
school teachers over the country, who
are just looking forward to
School three months vacation. will
r.r,,, be interested in a PROPOSE
ton which DR.. Philander p.
Claxton, United States commissioner
of education, will soon advance in advo-
cacy Of a longer school term.
Commissioner Claxton believes that
the average term of the schools in
most states. and in the country as a,
whole. is still too short in many COM
munities, and is not sufficient to en-
able the children to obtain the in
struction and training necessary to fit
them for life in an industrial, political,
social and religious democracy. The
average number Of days during which
all the public schools in the country
are opened is 157, the terms varying
from little more than 100 days in
several states to a maximum of 1913
days In Rhode Island. The average
length of school term in the rural
schools is still shorter. being less than
40 days for the country as whole.
DR.. Claxton is firm believer that
American children in many states need
more time for schooling in order that
the day will be FASTENED when litter
acy is practically wiped out Of the
country. Speaking of the length of
school terms yesterday DIR. Claxton
said: 1.-The length OF study terms in
other countries is much longer than
age number of school days is only 1877.
In most countries Of western Europe
both city and country children have
200 days or more OF schooling in the
year In Australia the schools Of city
and country alike are in session fortv-
FIVE weeks. something more than 210
days after all holidays are counted out.
In Porto Rico the schools are in ses
sion nine months-185 DAYS. not count
ing holidays. The same is true Of the
rural schools of the Philippine Islands
Surely an annual school term Of 1870
days. and an average attendance Of 30
per cent Of this time by all the chill
dren between the ages Of six and six
teen a total Of 1880 days. cannot he
considered more than il necessary to
prepare children for life and citizen
ship"
There has been much speculation
among people interested in the pure food
movement to whom
Assistant Secretary Houston WOutd
~ .. give the appointment Of
OAelulSs. assistant chief of the bu-
reau of chemistry Of the Department of
Agriculture. This place was held by Dr.
w. D. Bigelow. who resigned his posi-
ton two months ago to take charge of
private food chemistry laboratory in this
city.
DIR. Bigelow was a stanch supporter OF
DR.. Harvey w. Wiley during the noted
pure food advocates administration OF
the bureau of chemistry, and was the
man whom DIR. Wiley recommended to be
his successor. When the candidacy of
DIR. Carl L. Alsberg was launched, how
ever. DR.. Bigelow was one of his first
supporters, and he told many of his
friends that he should like to see the
Alsberg appointment made. The friendly
relations of Chief Chemist Aisperg anu
DIR. Bigeiow has been recalled at this
time because an impression has gone out