The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-10
GRAHAM OBJECTS TO
CLOSING SCHOOLS
Vermont Children Should Be Released
Early in June for Work in the
Farm Gardens.

MONTPELIER, Dee. 10.-Whcn
newspaper articles appeared with refer
ence to closing schools in the northern
and central states during two winter
months, Gov. Graham telegrarhed the
national fuel administrator, DR.. II. A.
Garfield, inquiring if there were any
foundation for the report and asking
to be heard by letter before final action
was taken.
Or. Garfield replied that the qucs-
ton was under discussion, but that
nothing definite had been decided, and
stated that he would be glad to have
the governor write to him. In re-
Spouse Gov. Graham sent the following
letter:
MONTPELIER, Dee. 8, 1917.
II. A. Garfield, Fuel Administrator,
Washington, D. c.
Dear Sir:
In the matter Of my telegram of the
Atm instant and your reply of the 9th
instant, az to the proposed plan of clos
ing schools through two winter months:
l 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 eases
this fuel would not be available for
other purposes. | am not aware that
any of the cities are at present sul-
fering from lack of coal in their
schools. School boards in the cities
| usually purchase their supply Of coal
| for the schools during the summer
months.
Second. II schools were closed at
this time, il would leave the boys and
| girls of Vermont, particularly in the
rural sections, with absolutely no nee
| essary employment. This would be
true in large measure with reference
| TO the children in the larger villages
| and i'll the cities If the schools were
continued after the first Of June, i
would deprive our farmers of the serv-
ices of their children during the time
| when they are most needed. At the
| same time, the children would not be
ablo to care for their own gardens. The
cash value Of the food products raised
by the school children during the past
summer under the supervision of the
board Of education. and these statistics
are accurate, was in excess of $3.50, 300
We are making plans TO utilize the en-,
thusiasm developed for this work &C
as to increase greatly the production
during the coming wear.
| Third 1t would be impossible t
keep children above the compulsory
education age in school. Those who Sc
cured employment during these two
months would be almost certain to e
main in the industry, rather than L
return TO school The time of sugar
making and spring planting woulj
como very soon after the opening Of
s hools, and the farmers boys woulc
not return 10 their studies Thi
would cause Us to repeat the disastrou
experience Of England IN this matter
Fourth. Teachers could not affor,
to remain idle during these two months
When once they are located in an in
dusfry, il would be difficult to secur
their return to the schools. l believ
that we would suffer a loss of NOR
than two hundred teachers in this way
Fifth. | believe that one week i
; school during either the month Of Jan
uay or February IS worth two week
IN sehool during the summer season.
Yours very truly,
HORACE +. GRAHAM. Governor.