Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-30
.FAVORS EXTENDING
USE Of SCHOOLS
Dr.. CIaxton, Commissioner of
Education, Speaks at Park
View Celebration.
PROGRESS MADE is CITED

Declaring that the principles of de-
mocracy rested upon the ideals of the
public schools, DR.. Philander p. Clax-
ton, United States commissioner of
education. in an address at the COM
munity Thanksgiving day celebration
at the Park View School this morning.
advocated the more extensive use OF
school buildings as forums.
I'VE are getting away from the idea
that the school is for the children
alone" said Mr. Claxton. at is coming
to be the place of meeting for all. and
it should be even more extensively used
than it is. The schools are for the
education of all. and in our country
have made possible the democracy that
exists"
Mr.. Claxton said the public school
system is not the failure 1t has been
said to be by some. Within the past
forty years. he pointed out. the public
schools of the country have educated
two generations of white citizens and
have practically educated a race He
also pointed out that they have made
leaders of many of the foreigners who
have come to our shores.
He said that the menace Of educating
only a certain class of the people was
foreseen by Thomas Jefferson and
pointed to Mexico as an example. ne
ignorance of the masses will mean the
end of democracy" he said
Public Schools and Democracy.
Mr., Claxton's theme was Tho Public
School as an Agency of Democracy" He
declared that democratic government IS
based upon public opinion. popular senti-
ment and common sense, all of which are
among the ideals of the public schools.
Democratic government is one of serv-
ice he said. land not by command. Our
governors and our President do not rule
by divine other authority. but represent
the people The schools should be thrown
open to the people as forums so they can
judge for themselves by discussion which
is best for them: Let the people rule
themselves-but first educate them.
Mr. Claxton lauded the spirit of the
citizens of Park View in staging the cele-
bration, which. he stated, he believed Is
the first of its kind ever held in the world.
He said that the idea of the affair. which
urged those participating to forget parti-
san and sectarian feelings, was indicative
OF great love of country.
I'VE are here forgetting today that We
are republicans. democrats or progress
sives'' he said. but we are Americans.
That is higher than placing sectarian and
partisan things before citizenship"
He stated that the essence Of American
government local Sef-government
and that the larger use of the schools in
Washington might lead toward self gov
eminent here. For the present. he said.
they can be used means of educat-
Ing for citizenship
Miss Wilson Sings Solo.
Miss Margaret Wilson, the daughter of
the President, sang a solo. La Farge's
"Homeward." and refused an encore, stat
ing that she was suffering from severe
cold.
John G. McGrath, president of the
Park View Citizens Association, under
whose auspices the affair was staged.
presided, and introduced the speaker.
He also gave the purpose of the meet
ing, which, he stated, was for the bring
ing together of all sects, parties and
classes of people.
Rev. Walter +. Smith, pastor of the
Whitney Avenue Christian Church, gave
the invocation, Offering thanks for the
fact that the country has been preserved
from war He also read President Will
sons THANKSGIVING proclamation.
Special music was given by the Park
View Orchestra, of eighteen pieces, I'M
der the direction of Mrs. E. ]. Ward.
Preceding the meeting, which was held
in the assembly hall of the school, the
Park View Band. under L. F. Collins,
consisting of sixteen pieces. gave selec-
lions on the plaza Of the school build
ing.
The assembly hall stage was attrac-
lively decorated with appropriate flow
ers and harvest products, through the
cooperation of the teachers of the
school.