The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-02-15

ganizations-city, state, and national
civic, patriotic, and educational -were
exploiting the field of immigrant edu.
cation extensively, frequently this was
due to Interior motives among which
may be cited the desire to secure finan-
cial support. Owing to the general, and
in some cases, unintelligent publiv in
terest in the immigrant appealing in
stances OF this condition were de-
scribed for the purpose OF securing con-
tributions. Again, the creation and main
tenance of English and civics classes
were utilized as a means Of building up
the schools Of private agencies, many
of which, if investigated, would not have
received full public sanction. The efforts
of some private agencies. furthermore,
were well meaning, but directed through
the wrong channels. Types of educa-
tional facilities and instruction were
provided wholly unsuited to the immi-
grant type, need, and condition, with the
result that immigrant men and women
were induced to attend classes of no prac-
teal value either to them in their life
in America or to the country as an
AHeTlehHlHiHR influence.
In tracing developments since 1914, Mr.
Wheaton declares:
Progress in every way has been rapid
definite and extensive Governmental
authorities everywhere. city, state, and
federal, have expressed serious interest
in the problem, and have taken definite
steps to provide adequate facilities. Mu-
inequalities have seen that the education
OF the immigrant, especially through the
provisions OF evening classes, is to be
treated as fundamental part OF the
educational system, rather than as an
incident or adjunct to the day school
system to be maintained or not at will,
or according to the amount of money in
the school treasury. Many of the states,
such as California. Michigan and New
York. and particularly the state depart
ments OF education, have come to appre-
ciate the fact that the immigrant is not
merely local problem The transitory
nature of his employment, and hence
have been increasingly appre
eiated in their bearing upon his educa
ton. While the primary obligation OF
the city has been acknowledged, both
officials and citizens have grown to see
that the secondary obligation of the
state to assist the city and the local
district in this particular type of edu
sation is one Of such imperative nature
Is to demand financial assistance and
state supervision and coordination OF
activities. The federal government, es
1ecially the bureau of education, as a |
'esult of an investigation of facilities, |
las come to take the stand that inasmuch /
Us admission of an immigrant to the |
Jnited States, together with his admis
ion to citizenship, are both federal mat
ers, then, equally, is interest in his
raining for life and citizenship in this
ountry federal matter With immi-
rants moving from city to city and
rom state to state, with different ma
ionalities in each state, and with the
ecessity of clearing house of informa-
ion becoming more and more apparent.
his federal interest has been increas-
1gly directed toward the establish
lent of fundamental principles, policies,
nd standards, together with approved
ractices in this form of education.
"On the other hand, private agencies
ave seen the futility of competition
mong themselves and with public agen-
es and institutions. Hence they have |
lcreasingly adopted the practice of es- {