The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-06-29
.EnIlcArIoN ANp THE war.

,,,sss sj,aIl ID, no lowering in the eff,
ciency Of our systems o. eaI0s SITE.
ays Dr. p. P. Claxton, United STATES
Commissioner Of Education elsGuss
IN education and the war in a oulletln
issued this week. :, ON.
aschoois and other agencies Oh s"t
cation must be maintained a. wns a.,
snrtf,,l interference with their regular
work except as may be necessary ~"
International defense, which is Of cou l,.Ss
6nr Immediate task and must pc ',9ps
cofstantly in mind and have rigEs OF
nv, everywhere and at all tines
rom the beginning of our parurlpa-
Am IA the war we should avoid the
Isfakes which some other countries
have made to their hurt anu "h"h
5iliey are row trying to correct
nj the war should be long ara 81
vere there will be great need IN us
ater DAYS for many young men ara
omen Of scientific knowledge ira n
ing and skill; and 1t may then DC
6,iich more difficult than 1t is now 10
support our schools, to spare our cnll'
Sifen and youth from other service ana
iopermit them to attend school mere
ana no school should close Its doors
INV ar shorten its term unnecessarily.
A1l Young men and women i'll college
sI,ould remain and use their time ID
the yery best advantage, except such
"a may find it necessary to leave LOT
Immediate profitable employment IN
come productive occupation or for the
aceentance Of some position In some
bYancn OF the military service, %hlch
position can not be SO well filled by
sny oile else. ALI children in the ele-
SI5entary schools and as nearly as pos
fble all high school pupils should re-
main il school through the entire SEES
sWhen the war is over, whether
within q few months or after many
years, there will be such demands
mon this country for men and women
~ scientific knowledge, technical
sl,ill and general culture as have never
before come to any country, ING
world must be rebuilt This Gonn!ry
must play a far more important part
ffan lit has in the past in agriculture,
manufacturing and commerce, and
sIso a the things of cultural life-art'
Iitaraiure, scientific discovery
.lRussia and Chl.a are awakening to
new life and are en- the eve OF great
industrial development. They Will ASK
Il MS steel, engines, end cars for rail-,
roads. agricultural Implements, and
machinery for industrial plants. They
will also ask for men to install these
at1d 10 direct mucn Of their develop
iient in every line England, France
italy. and the central Empires have
thrown into battle a very large per
cent. Of their educated and trained
men including most Of the young pro
fessors and instructors in their uni
xefsities, colleges, gymnasium, lycees,
and public schools. Their colleges and
universities are almost empty. Tie
Young men who would under normal
conditions be receiving the education
and traiiling necessary to prepare theCl
Tor Leadership 10 the future develop
nient Of these countries are fighting
and diving in the trenches. All these
countries must needs go through a
long period Of reconstruction indus
tfially and in many other respects
Our own trained men and women
should be able and ready to render
every possible assistance. 1t should
Sc remembered that the number OF
Students in our universities, colleges,
normal schools and technical schools
very small as compared with the to-
tai number of persons Of producing age
little more than one-half OF l per
cent. Tho majority Of these students
are young men and women who are be
coming more mature and fit for ser
Vice. Tho older of the 100000 men
and women of producing age are grow
ing moro unfit and are passing beyond
the age Of service. 1t should also be
remembered that the more mature the
young men who volunteer for service
III the army the more valuable their
services will De.
Therefore a right conception Of pa
tfiotism should induce all students
who can not render some immediate
service Of great value to remain in
college, concentrate their energies on
their college work, and thus be all the
more ready and fit when their services
may be needed either for war or for
tile Important work of reconstruction
and development in our own and other
countries when the war shall have
ended.
All schools Of whatever grado
should remain open with their full quo
e Of officers and teachers. The sal
sIies Of teachers should not be lowered
"a this time Of unusual high cost of
living. When possible, salaries should
be increased In proportion to the SER
vices rendered. Since the people will
be taxed heavily by the Federal gov
rnment for the payment Of the ex-
penses Of the war, teachers should be
willing to continue to do their work,
and do it as well as they can, as pa
tTiptic service even If their salaries
canarct now he increased. ALI equip
meIt necessary for the best use Of the
time Of teachers and students shouIo
be provided, as should all necessary
Increase of room, but costly building
should not be undertaken now while
the prices of building material are ex-
ccssiyely high and while there are ur-
CANT and untitled demands for labor
ID industries pertaining directly and
immediately to the national defense.