New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-21
PASTORS INDORSE
WRIT SCHOOL PLAN
instruction for Children
Equalized in Church
and at Class.
By HENRIETTA RODMAN.

\ conference Of a hundred clergy
men at Columbia University yesterday
pledged support to Superintendent,
Wirt's plan for recognizing the public
schools
Bishop r. Courtney. OF st. James,
Episcopal Church. presided.
The churches and Sunday schools
are among the most important orgarl-
zations Tor child welfare in the com
muuity." said Nr. Writ. "bu: they are
not taking charge OF the children for
more than an average % two minutes
day for each child. The day schoo.
means religious instruction for al!
children an impossltllty unless
schools and churches cooperate.
If every child must have scat I'D
Sunday school at O'Clock SUNDAY
morning no private religious or.a1lLa
ton would b. able to afford the CO..
The cities cannot afford each enid "
seat in school.
But If the schools excuse the chi
dren whose parents wish them 70 tahe
religious instruction. 20 allow them 10
20 20 church OH -chool days durinE
school hours. the churches car AFFORD
TO accommodate all OF the children 10
enc or two periods week.
"Why shouldn't We let the children
20 to church when the church can take
them ."
"Our present school ideal Of seat
10 which each child may be strapped
al day is an eNtravaSant ho'GI'y.
schools were originally established 10
supplement the activities Of the nome
Children we're not expected TO study
all day. Nov many Of the activities OF
the home. Of work and play. have been
taken over by the community. the
school has continued 70 be only a
place OF study, and it has monopolized
But thi. is not the way to train
citizens. We must build child world
in which children can grow 70 effective
manhood and womanhood. ms child
world must offer opportunities lor
work, study and play.
"Some OF Won. perhaps. are trying 70
make a little world for your own chill
dren by sending them to private
schools in the country. But how are
those schools preparing them for NE
in the city? For work. play and c'ti-
zenship IN New York? ,
"By the way. did you ever kno" Of
q private school that advertised seat
for every child in which he was re
auired to sit all day: Don't me oe5t
priy;,te schools advertise variety OF
gciiyities? Isn't it time that we
changed our ideals for the puohc
schools 70 something better adapted 10
the need. o. the children?
~ the close Of Mr.. Wits spcecn'
tine Rev. Or. BrdIner offered the ioi-
loving resolution:
"Sincc the opportunity 70 eve re-
iicious instruction 10 the cEhcreh o
the public schools. Is one OF when eN -
erv religious organization desires 20
avail itself. repre- entatiYc commit
toe of clercvmen o. d.ferent demon
nations should be appointed TO !urtn-
or the plan submitted b. Supernten-
dent WHIT" 4 temporary committee
was appointed.
conference will be held this eve
ming under thc auspices OF tne rum
FdIcatiou Association to discuss the
Wirt and Tttinger plans for reorgani-
zation Of the elementary schools
Tbr chief superficial difference be
.y,esn these plans appears to be that
superintendent Ettingers Is more ~
favor with the majority o. the boaru
OF EiNCaNloh lis@h - up
Wirt's. ,.r. 7
The great fundamental difference,
believe. l. that one Is a work OF crea,
live genius, involving profound ana
farreachilg changes. first in the meth
DDS Of the schools and ultimately /"
the quality Of our citizens.
The other plan seems to me come.
what clumsy adaptation OF the hr'e
in tp.ms Of our present system OF
elementary and vocational schools.
"If you want 70 make all Of the
children do the same thing IN the
same way at the same time ard the
same place" said Mr.. Writ, you can
afford the money
We DO. and we cant.
In letter 10 Mr. Allan Robinson
chairman Of the citizens committee
President Churchill has issued a state
ment Of economies effected in the
schools.
M the proposed plan Of assigning
kindergarten teachers 20 two classes
a day is adopted. s325,OO0 will be
saved annually Mr.. Churchill writes
but, oddly enough, he does not men
ton the saving Of city money, which
would be effected by thorough going
adoption OF the Gary plan