Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-02-25
TAFT HAS PLAN FOR
STANDARD SCHOOLS
CONTINUED from First Page ]

efficiency. thoroughness and economy
of the various school systems, ex-Pres-
ident William H. Taft, addressed the
Department of Superintendence of
the National Educational Association
here to-day.
Mr.. Taft, in his address said:
The cause of free public education
is more sacred and of more fundamen-
tai Importance than almost any other
before the people. 1t is one that
awakens the profound interest of the
people and commands the greatest and
most willing self-sacrifice by the tax
paying public. The consequence of
this fervor is that our school systems
are not as much scrutinized as they
should be.
What we need in the country is an
opportunity for Standardization and
comparison of school systems in the
different states and different cities
This. l think we might have by estab-
fishing what Washington recommend
ed-a national university in Wash
ington.
THE Bureau of Education might
well be enlarged into a university
which should not he a teaching uni
versity but one with a corps of eX-
perts who could offer to the people of
all the states and the people of all To-
cal communities, the opportunity of
having their respective school systems
examined and reported on as to prop
er scope, efficiency, thoroughneSs and
economy. The same university should
hold periodical examinations in con-
venient parts of the country which any
person might upon payment Of a small
fee take and If successful receive a
certificate esuivalent to a degree in
certain established courses.
Supt. Schaeffer Talks
The introduction of militarism into
the public schools of the United States
would be organized insanity" ac-
cording to y. c. Schaeffer. State Super
intendent of Public Instruction of
Pennsylvania before the association
here last night
Doctor Schaeffer said:
when the demand is made that
militarism from an integral part Of
vocational training. the teachers dis
traction reaches a climax. If she
should succeed in fulfilling this latest
requirement. the public schools would
develop a race of AmaZons more fierce
than the militant suffragettes.
THE war brides need as much bod
lily health and vigor as the soldiers
who marry them, If future generations
are not to show signs of decadence.
Investigations have shown that
military drill is injurious during the
adolesceTft period. and that the grace
fulness of the cadets is not the out
come of drilling or marching, but
rather of the hours spent under the
direction of the dancing master.
The moral drainage which results
from militarism is still greater It
does not develop the sense of duty,
such as the Sunday school inculcates,
but justifies spying. lying, forging let
ters. kilograms and signals to mis-
lead the enemy. Having been taught
that It is right to suspend the decalo-
que for his country's safe, the pupil
afterward repeals the Ten Command
ments for his own sake, whenever any
advanta ge can thereby be gained in the
political or financial world.
The great Powers of Europe have
come to Judgment and are grinding
one another to dust and ashes. Their
fate should be a warning to the
American people not TO Introduce and
foster militarism in the public schools"