Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1915-07-09
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Events of Interest from the
t Seat of Government.
BY j. Il. JONES.
SUGGESTS BETTER SCHOOLS.

NOW that Independence day has
oeen occupying the attention of the
country, we are reminded that the
red, white and blue, and the little
red schoolhouse are chief among the
visible factors in patriotism. AS the
orators have taken splendid care of
the flag, let US consider "the little
red schoolhouse," or more correctly
speaking, the rural school.
Modern day contrivances like the
telephone, automobile, rural free de-
livery, etc., have revolutionized coun-
try life, and the country school teach
er who has little flock of children
in her care and attempts to teach
everything from the kindergarten to
geometry, has been called upon to
defend her time-honored and sacred
pedestal from the attacks of people
who claim she is too old-fashoned to
be continued on her job. 1t is point
ed out that country people own auto
mobiles, and that by their use chill
dren from a wide area can be brought
to central school much more easily
than the process by which they for
merly struggled to get to the crude
little building which was a burden
upon a few taxpayers.
The Plan.
The government can do as much
for the country school as it has for
rural life in other directions. The
suggestion which follows has never
been generally discussed. Here it is:
An Auto Passenger Post.
The government rural routes, in
certain districts, to be readjusted in
order that mail may be distributed
and collected on a twice-a-day basis,
the vehicles used being large auto
motors, similar to what are common,
ly called "rubber-neck wagons" in
cities. These vehicles are capable of
carrying from 80 TO 40 children to
and from their schools. and scent
fare each way would relieve the gov
eminent from any additional expense
for the service. AS many of these
routes as consistent could be run in
different directions, centering at
point where a consolidated country
schoolhouse, first class in every re-
spect, with a full corps of the best
teachers, and the very best course of
studies, would be the pivot around
which the plan would be constructed.
Opinions Wanted.
In order to obtain the sentiment
of people living in the country and
small towns, it is desired that all per-
sons interested in the above plan, in
Guiding postmasters and others in
the postal service, as we'll as teach
ers, parents, and all who may have
views upon the matter. communicate
their opinions. The views will be
placed before the postmaster general.
through the U. 8. Press association.
Write the editor of this paper. and
he will forward the Communication,
or it may be sent direct to the corre-
spondent of The Washington Stan
dard, in which event it should be
directed to ]. e. Jones. Bond build
ing. Washington. d. c. It is also sug-
gested that the above plan might be
properly discussed by local corre-
spondents in their home newspapers.
and in all such cases marked copies
of the paper should be mailed to Mr..
Jones, as above. Mr.. Jones volun-
teers to present the views Of the
writer's, whether favorable or adj
verse, to the postmaster general.
Uncle Sans Vacation.
There are approximately 10000
people at work for Uncle Sam in the
national capital who will take 80
DAYS leave to which they are entitled
under the rules governing their en-
ployment. As the greater part OF
these people take some Of their folks
with them on their vacations. 1t Will
readily be seen that the government
departments will be running snort
handed during the summer months.
President Wilson has been one Of the
most constant men on the job since
his election. and the record OF the
past two summers might indicate that
there were times when nobody
worked but father" since from the
cabinet officers down the hot weather
drove everybody away from the cap
ital who had the price Of railroad
transportation. Mexico. Germany.
shipping bills and the tariff will all be
kept in cold storage to the fullest
possible extent during the next rev
weeks and everyone connected with
official |ife who can possibly DO 50
will take their journeys to playland.
"Crocker Land" Only Cloud Bank.
~ l.