Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-19
PROF. ELLIOTT TALKS
TO BOYS AND GIRLS
Makes Valuable Suggestions
as to Keeping Young
Folks Employed

u W0uldn give snap lOr poy
who would not take off his coat and
fight for what he Thought was right, "
declared Superintendent Elliott last
night in his address before the Six
o Clock club of the First Methodist
church. "Pugnacity is one of the
boy s. instincts and it is good thing
for the boy if used rightly.
"A boy is bundle of instincts, of
possibilities and tendencies. Every
boy has within him the possibilities Of
being great and good, and in my 26
years experience with boys | nave
found but one who was totally deprav-
ed.
GA boy may inherit the physical
but always the mental traits Of his
parents. 1t is for the parents as well
as the teacher to direct him. "
Mr.. Elliott was of the opinion that
educators were just beginning to ap-
preeiate the initiative instinct in boys
and that imitation plays great part
in the life of child.
! Acquisitiveness, or the desire to col
lect things was an instinct of the boy
that should be directed and if not con-
trolled might lead to dishonesty. Ono
| instinct is worth more in maturity"
said Mr.. Elliott, "than this desire to
acquire, and properly controlled, gives
one the power to supply our wants in
later life. -
Boys Like to Construct.
Another instinct noted by Superin-
tendent Elliott was that of construct
iveness, or tne craving to build or
construct. The boys must make OF
build something. "Salem is the best
city that | have ever known in which
to raise boys. The best place for a
boy is at home in his fathers base
ment. Get your boys tools, z" urged Mr..
Elliott" and let him work in the base
ment. They are a hundred fold bet
ter off working in the basement tnan
staying on the streets, -
The tendency of boys to form in
groups was referred to by the speaker.
Boys viii organize themselves in
groups and instead of attempting to
break up the group, it is better for the
teacher or parent to become one Of them
and direct their efforts. Petty steal
ing is more group or gang problem,
but with the boys directed right by
having an older head directing theme
would be no trouble.
"We put too much stress on football
and basketball. Instead of develop
ing dozen or two boys, we nope in
time TO put our energies towards the
physical development of every boy and
| girl in the city. j am happy to say
that the school board of directors are
working out plan of physical instruc-
ton next year by which the whole
school will be benefited and not a
dozen or more.
The Social problem,
The social problem was also discuss.
ed by Mr.. Elliott. "Wdy are girls
found at the iitney dance9 Because
there is no other organized effort to
supply them with wholesome amuse'
ment. | asked why certain young
girl went to these jitney dances and
found out that this was the only place
in town to which she could 20 for
amusement. :" The superintendent
urged that some means be found of di.
reeting the social activities Of the
young folks in order that girl would
not so to jitney dance for her recrc'
alton.
In closing, the superintendent gave
q little advice to the fathers. "Above
all, your boys need the companionship
Of man, and that man should be the
father. Most boys have gone wrong
because thew never got on living terms
with their fathers They just know
their fathers as the men who comes
Ihoue at meal fines -
The address was regarded by all as
one of the most interesting as well as
practical talks that has been delivered
before the Six O'Clock club.
always be kept at the head of this in.
stitution."
"However," said Mr.. Hale, "when.
ever o man is brought forward who is
better qualified to handle the school in
the best interests of the boys and the
state am ready to quit without mur.
nmr, but, in the meantime, / will con-
tinue to direct the institution to the
best of my ability and will pay no at.
tention TO any political rumors even
though they do have it in the papers
that am to be removed.