Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-10-14
MONEY NEEDED FOR
STATES SCHOOLS
DR.. Schaeffer Discusses the
Situation in Regard to
Appropriations


Pennsylvania is called upon by Ma
than c. Schaeffer. State superintendent
of public instruction, to provide more
money for the advancement of its
school system and to improve condi-
tions in rural districts in his annual
report which was given out here to-
day. The report is a summary of edu-
cation in the keystone State and is
rather seriously discussed.
In the course of his statement on the
dnances DR.. schaeffer says:
The revenues of the State are di-
minishing, whilst the expenses are
increasing. The demand for in
spection in new fields has led to
the multiplication of boards, bu-
reaus, commissions and other agen-
cies of supervision. In some States
every thirtieth man is an office
holder. At times the agencies of
government control overlap in their
jurisdiction and issue conflicting
regulations. Constitutional con-
ventions have been suggested as
the best means of wiping the slate
clean and starting anew. If this
were the proper place much might
be said in praise of the benefits
which the public has derived from
the activities of our newly-creat-
ed governmental agencies. The
fact nevertheless, remains that the =
school appropriation has not kept
pace with the growth of the public
schools. Whilst the local needs
have greatly increased the appro-
priation per pupil and per school
has annually diminished during the
last ten years. The rural districts
are especially in need of help.
DR.. Schaeffer attacks the school
buildings that exist in many places and
the financing of education. THE sti-
mulus can hardly be expected to reach
the districts where school buildings
are at their worst and where the taxa
tion has reached the limit OF the bur-
dens which the happy taxpayer feels
able to carry" he says. in discussing
the system of county and State stand
ards of buildings which has been de
vised by the State Board of Educa-
tion. 81. es to be hoped that the State
school fund will grow rapidly enough
to furnish revenue for aiding and
the reconstruction of the
schoolhouses which are a source OF
shame to the citizen of rich State like
Pennsylvania"
Keep Up Efficiency
THE efficiency of a school system
depends more upon the quality of the
instruction than upon the physical
equipment The taxation in connec-
tion with the liquidation of bonds
should not interfere with the current
expense involved in the efficient run
ming of the schools" declares DR.
Schaeffer after discussing bond issue
"The bond issue may be so large as tc
embarrass the treasury and check edu-
cational progress 1t is doubtful policy
to fool the public by the erection OF
to a lowering of salaries and to a de-
terioration of the teaching force"
The development of the high school
Is declared "the most remarkable phe-
in American education" Build
ings built for twenty years become
overcrowded in five and "then comes the
temptation to place the pupils on half
time-an arrangement that Is never
DR.. Schaeffer also says
that parents and teachers in general
are beginning to realize that the youth
who quits school before graduating
from a high school Is shutting against
the door of opportunity in a
hundred different directions" and he
says that the school should educate foI
leisure as well as vocation" If the
hours are not needed for bread winning
are spent in dissipation and riotous liv.
ing, the eight-hour day. for which la,
bor is struggling. will prove a curse
instead of blessing.
DR.. Schaeffer commends drawing and
music and remarks that while athletics
and sports are used to develop strength
work in the fields and in the garder
seems to have been forgotten as {
means of physical development"
Should Insure
Insurance in the State insurance funt
against employers liability is recon-
mended as reciprocity because the State
appropriates to the schools and DR.
Schaeffer warns against shortening
school terms when epidemics come un
less it Is demonstrated as absolutely
essential"
employers have shown a surpris
ing willingness to do all in their power
to adjust the working hours of th'
minor to those of the adult says DR.
Schaeffer in discussing vocational edu
cation and continuation schools. Ninety
eight districts opened continuation
schools with $4,000 children in attend
ance and $50 teachers. The superin
tendent says that there should be vo
cational guidance as we'll as education
and remarks: THE industries shoul,
not look to the schools for their suppl!
of unskilled laborers. The lack of la
borers on the farm and in the shop Il
an economic problem beyond the powe
of the schools to solve"
Farmers who have good bank &C
counts and possess automobiles" ar,
raped for taking boys out of schoo
to work on the farms when there is n,
necessity. "Is 1t any wonder?" ask
DR.. Schaeffer that in such instance
the boys leave home to seek employ
ment in cities and towns because the.
feel that If they remain on the farm
they will be deprived of an education.
The new agricultural high schools, o
which there are twenty-four in tn
State. are commencing to show result
in community service" The 500. nov
enrolled should be 5000.