The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-12
By KENDRICK SCoFIELD.

When Farmer CorntosseI becomes in
Nolved in a dispute with his neighbor
over the dividing lines of their respec-
tive properties. and calls on Attorney
Blank at the cOunty-seat. the man of
law. in nine cases out of ten. consults
case
And when Farmer Corntossel is suf-
Ierlng from compound fracture of the
I raOtia' sustained by fall from the hay
NOV, and visits the village physician
me medical man also consultS ponder
Gus tones filled with the knowledge of
injury.
But over a ways in the country from
Where Corntossel has his farm twenty
I'VE or thirty miles across country I'M
lhaTed by railroal or telephone wires
N desolate little country community
OF three or four families. there is
hother who is rearing children Social
service workers declare that in her own
way. this mother is just as much of an
Inhuence in her community as the doc
tor and the lawyer TWENTY-FIVE miles
away are in theirs.
But in the business of her Iife-that
Of bringing children into the world ln-
Ger conditions where she cannot readily
consult a physician. and rearing them
under circumstances where a far-awav
code OF laws does not count one-half so
much as the inculcated ethics Of child
hood-that mother never senses her
need Of hbrary-a shelf of books on
child care and nurture which should be
her equipment for her work
"Great Literary Bibles"
All Of this the Bureau Of Education
points out in submitting 20 the public
The third of its courses which comprise
the National Reading Circle. established
= rev months ago by Commissioner p.
=. Claxton, with the aid of Miss Ellen
Z. Lombard. chief Of the home cduca-
ton division of that office
The first two courses. made w of what
The commissioner calls the great liter
AIRY Bibles were planned to meet the
needs OF men and women with a high
school education. But the third, which
has just been completed is q course
compiled for the especial use OF :larents
The National Reading Circle. open to
sVerybody. upon the selection OF the
course ne wishes TO take. and rcgistra-
ton at the bureau, Will, whenever such
q course is completed. give to the mem
her who submits satisfactory proof that
= has covered the prescribed ground,
Certificate of merit.
In discussing the need for educating
mothers 10 the importance of their
work. just as the lawyer and physician
'ecOgnizes the necessity Of training in
pursuing theirs. Commissioner CIaSton
says:
Life is a school which never ceases
10 -lAtale It's plplls- me learned
says Schopenhauer, are those who
have studied in books: the thinkers,
Ee1iuses. enlighteners OF the world
and lberators OF the human race are
those who have read direct srom the
Tsses Of lie itself
Ever~ mother is reading direct
from the pages of life Itself in bear
ing children and rearing a>family.
she is learning lessons as valuable
as any she may give, for am woman
who has experienced motherhood ] as
a glimpse OF life's great meanings
wider and deeper than Is possible
without this experience.
Development of Childhood
Every child has the right to a hap
py and Joyous childhood. Parental
understanding of the child-of his
normal conditions. Of the laws Of
health and growth-is necessary for
those who fulfil the trust of parent
hood and for the perfect develop
ment Of children for good citizen
ship and life.