The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-08
AN INDICTMENT.
Cites Case Of Eight German
Books for One Term.

An indictment against the expenses
Of the present high school system was
voiced today by DR.. Eva Harding.
Hardships are undergone by hundreds
Of families struggling to send their
children through the public" school.
A story Il told Of q Topeka mother
who went deeply in debt to pay the
heavy graduation expenses of her
youngest daughter. High school stu
dents go hungry in order to buy books
The daughter of a poor preacher with
!. six children feels that she cannot meet
the commencement bills and may be
forced to give up her diploma. The
system, states Dr.. Harding. is ian
outrage"
The matter, the doctor declares, has
been brought to the attention of
members OF the board of education.
with whom specific instances Of pitiful
cases have been filed.
Eight German books. including
grammar costing $l.5O are required
in one of the high school courses In
two terms-nfne Notwithstanding
to DIR. Harding. 1t was this fact that
caused the ministers daughter to de-
spair of completing the work. Six of
the books are fictfon-Minna Won
Barnhelm, Leberect Huhnchen, Her
mann und Dorothea-with glossaries
in the back. In addition, a German
dictionary il required. The books cost
from 80 to 60 cents.
ers?" queried the doctor, that would
be practical at least. Why have CLOS
saries, full Of repetitions, when q die
tionary has been bought? There is
nothing for the teacher to do. The
work il pre-digested. 1t beats the
merly required in a year and a half
at the grades. This system is out
rageous. People can't live. Condi-
tions and expenses are worse under
the present school administration than
they have ever been before
The doctor asserts that one course
requires each pupil to purchase 40
cents worth Of India ink-'enough to
cover the state OF Kansas"
The approach of June brings to
graduation which, increasing year by
year, actually strike terror to dozens
of sensitive girl students who long to
do as the "other girls do" Many girls
are allowed $76-a low estimate-to
cover commencement expenses. The
girl wants a graduation gown. a class
day gown. a suit for Baccalaureate
Sunday. engraved invitations, cards to
place in the invitations, flowers. long
gloves, white slippers. a senior pin, an
to purchase the latter items, and must
have a complete wardrobe unless she
would be conspicuous.
I'm not going to the baccalaureate
sermon, said one girl. who had won
honors in several subjects, because I
have nothing to wear"
Such cases are tragedies at IS. ELM
mating the question Of suitable clothes
the book problem faces. in stern real
ity, every poor. family that is striving
to give its boy or girl the advantage
of high school education. The high
school," said the DOCTOR, IT know OF
books and reference bpoks, note books,
big books, little books, cheap books
and books costing $Lb0,..
II know of a mother who stayed up
half the night, making pies to sell, in
order to send her girl through high
school," said the doctor, II know of a
boy who wouldn't allow his mother to
slave. and gave up the course: of a
girl who wanted to teach. but was
refused because she had been unable
to complete her studies: of dozen
girls who are working for their board.
and worrying over the book question.
These conditions should not be al
lowed to exist
The question becomes more poig
nant every year as the value of high
school course, together with the cost
of getting one, increases. The fam
lilies who go in debt, the mothers who
skimp and save, the students who do
without proper food are clamoring for
a change in the system. ut is an out
rage" reiterates DR.. Harding. and she
echoes the walls Of them all.
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Was Aground Two Days.