The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1917-12-30
LOCAL EDUCATOR SHOWS
WHY APPROPRIATIONS
SHOULD BE MADE.
DOING WAR WORK
College is Preparing Girls of
State for Battle Front Ac-
tivities.

Some opposition has developed to
the proposed plan to issue bonds
for much needed improvements at
different educational and eleemosy-
nary Institutions throughout the
state, and as this opposition is
largely predicated upon the con-
tention that copditions resulting
from the belligerency which now
exists among the leading nations of
the world, the United States being
included in the number, Hon. H. L.
Whitfield, president of the Missis-
'iippi Industrial Institute and Col
ege, has issued statement in which
he sets forth most donvincingly the
tact increases rather than minimises
the improvements for which the
bond issue is requested.
In his statement President Whit
field points out the fact that
the institution over which he
presides is now performing excel
lent work in preparing the young
women of the state for wartime
activities and shows conclusively
that unless money for much need
ed improvements is quickly forth
coming the efficiency of this work
viii Be ,lsat%ially impaired The
leading savants of the country, real
izing the fact that technical train
ing is necessary to success in any
vo 'ation or profession, have advised
young men and young women who.
are now attending colleges and uni
yersties in different sections of the
United States not to abandon their
studies, but TO complete their courses
before attempting to engage in war
work Of any character Contending
chat the Industrial Institute and
College should at once be provided
with equipment that will enable it to
prepare the students properly for
work in hospitals and on foreign
battle fields, President Whitfield
says
Mississippi is row in transa-
tory condition; the people are re-
pudiating old methods they are
looking about for new ways. We
have never learned the great lesson,
long known by other states, that the
greatest Of all investments are those
investments made in human beings;
when the man is as he should be by
proper training, then we may expect
II other departments of our life to
prosper. The legislature soon to as
semble has the opportunity to meet
great emergency, to do an incom-
1orable good for the state. The boys
and girls are begging for the oppor-
tunity of getting ready for the great
Competition which they win be call
ed upon to meet as necessary IN
c'dent Of the great war in which we
are now engaged. We have too long
played a second part in the achleve-
ment Of the country; we have al
ready been too long the mere gath
erers Of raw material, while the
skilled part Of the work was done
by the people Of other sections"
Although a new chapel is badly
needed at the college, President
Whitfield has decided not to include
IN appropriation for a building OF.
this character in the request which
he makes for money. He will, how
ever, ask for an additional dormi-
tory. new power house, an annex
to the hospital and other improve
ments which are absolutely essential
to efficient work at the institution
The improvements which he deems
absolutely necessary viii cost $l75-
600, and he will ask that this sum bs
provided.