The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-10
GRAHAM OPPOSES
CLOSING SCHOOLS
Vermont Executive Thinks Plan Would
Be Inadvisable for Vermont and
Writes Fuel Administra-
tor Garfield.

Governor Graham telegraphed the ma
tional fuel administrator, II. A. Garfield
when newspaper articles appeared wit
reference TO closing schools in the north
ern and central states during two winte
months, inquiring if there was any foun
dation for the report and asked to b
heard by letter before final action wa
| taken.
Mr.. Garfield replied that Governor Ora
hams question was under discussion
that nothing definite had been decided
and that the fuel administrator woult
be glad to have the governor write.
Governor Graham's letter to Mr. Gar
field is attached hereto.
Montpelier, Dec. s, 1917.
III. A. Garfield, Fuel Administrator,
Washington, d. G.
Dear Sir: In the matter of my tele.
gram of the 4th instant and your reply
of the 9Th instant, as TO the proposed
plan of closing schools through two win
ter months.
/ believe that this course would be
very unfortunate for Vermont for the
following reasons:
First More than one half of the pu-
pills in Vermont are IN attendance at
schools heated by wood. In most cases
this fuel would not be available for other
purposes. am not aware that any of
the cities are at present suffering from
lack of coal in their schools. School
boards in the cities usually purchase
their supply OF coal for the schools dur
ing the summer months.
Second. II schools were closed at this
time, ii would leave the boys and girls
of Vermont, particularly in the rural sec
tions, with absolutely no necessary EN-
ployment. This would be true in large
measure with reference to the children in
the larger villages and in the cities. If
the schools were continued after the
first Of June, it would deprive our farm
nrs of the services of their children dur
ing the time when they are most needed.
AT the same time the children would
not be able to care for their own gardens.
The cash value of the food products
.aised by the school children during the
past summer under the supervision OF
he board of education, and these sta
.istics are accurate, was in excess OF
,l50,000 We are making plans to util
re the enthusiasm developed for this
work so as TO increase greatly the pro-
luetion during the coming year.
Third Ii would be impossible to keep |
hildren above the compulsory education
.ee in school. Those who secured EN- /
loyment during these two months would |
e almost certain to remain in the in |
ustry, rather than to return to school /
he time OF sugar making and spring /
lanting would come very soon after the /
pening of schools, and the farmers boys
7ould not return to their studies. This
yould cause us to repeat the disastrous
Experience of England in this matter
Fourth. Teachers could not afford to
amain idle during these two months.
Vhen once they are located in an indus
nv, it would be difficult TO secure their
sturn to the schools | believe that we
ould suffer a loss of more than zoo
.achers in this way,
Fifth I believe that one week in
,hool during either the month of Jan
ary or February is worth two weeks in
'hool during the summer season.
Yours very truly,
Horace r. Graham, Governor.