The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-08-31
WOULD MAINTAIN
SCHOOL STANDARD
Government Bureau Urges That
Efficiency Be Kept Up Dur
ing the War.
SECOND TO DEFENSE NEEDS
Salaries Of Teachers Should Not Be
kowered, II is Urged, Although
Costly Building May Be
Postponed.


Officials Of Uncle Sans bureau OF
education strongly contend that 1t Is OF
the utmost Importance that there shall
be no lowering In the efficiency OF the
nations systems OF education because
OF the war. They believe that schools
and other agencies of education must
be maintained at whatever necessary
cost and against all hurtful interfer-
ence with their regular work, except
as may be necessary for the national
defense, which Is, OF course, the I'M
mediate task and must be Kept con-
stantly in mind, and have right OF way
everywhere and at all times. From
the beginning Of our participation In
the war. they point out, we should
avoid the mistakes which some other
countries have made to their hurt and
which they are now trying to correct.
Right In this connection 1t Is pointed
out that II the war should be long and
severe, there will be great need In Its
iater days Tor young men ana women
OK scientihc knowledge, training ana
skill; and 1t may then be much more
umcult tnan IL Is now TO support our
scnoois, TO spare our chlldren ana
youth Tor other service and to permit
tnem 70 attend school. therefore,
contend uncle Sans educauonal ex-
perts' no school should close Its doors
now or shorten Its term unnecessarily
AH young men and women In college
should remain and use their time TO
tne very Dest advantage, except such
as may nnd 1t necessary to leave Tor
immaculate profitable employment In
some productive occupation or for the
acceptance Of some position In some
oranch OF the military service, which
position cannot be so well filled by any
one else. All children In the elemen-
tafy scnools, and, as nearly as possi-
pie, all hign school pupils should re-
nam In scnool through the entire ses-
slon.
Trained Men and Women Needed.
This question Of the war and educa-
Hon has been taken up seriously by ex-
perts Of the bureau. They point out
further In this connection that when
the war is over, whether within few
months or after many years, there will
be such demands upon this country for
men and women Of scientific knowl-
edge, technical skill and general cul-
lure as have never before come to any
country. This country must play far
more important part than 1t has in the
past In agriculture, manufacturing and
and also In the things Of
cultural life.-art, literature, music, SCI
snttf1c discovery.
A right conception Of patriotism
should induce all students, say the
bureau officials, who cannot render
some immediate service Of great value
10 remain in college, concentrate their
energy on their college work, and thus
be all the more ready and fit when
their services may be needed either for
war or for the important work Of re-
construction and development in our
,wn and other countries when the war
shall have ended.
Should Not Cut Salaries.
All schools OF whatever grade should
remain open with their full quota Of
officers and teachers. The salaries Of
teachers should not be lowered, 1t is
contended, in this time of unusual high
cost of living. When possible, salaries
should be increased in proportion to
the services rendered. Since the peo-
pie of the country will be taxed heav-
lly by the federal government for the
payment of the expenses of the war,
It is urged by the officials that teachers