Evening journal., 1918-06-29

ENENiNt 5OlH\AI4 by George
Miller President of the WiImlnqto
Board OF Education.
The Need OF Agriculture.
Before the opening OF the war ther
were In the United States about 6.OOO
600 farmers, and about an enual nun
Der OF farm laborers. There are farr
labor difficulties TO be overcome 4
many parts OF the Union. In some sec
tions the situation is acute.
Aside from casual work, chores an
the like, which might be done outsid
OF school hours, the labor OF boys un
der IA years OF age is not a vital facto
on the farm. City boys, without farm
experience, are not generally useful un
der 10 years OF age. In some lines O.
farm work unskilled boys can be useC
IN part, under skilled direction. II
some lines or work a bright, stronl
boy can step In. without previous ex.
| perlence, and be OF use almost from
the first day. There are, Of course
some kinds or farm work that a boy
without farm experience cannot be ex-
| pected 10 do without training. In any
case, intelligence, good health, and
good physical development are essential
for useful service on the farm.
One OF the urgent needs on the farm
today is for capable women TO- help
with the housework. Without such
help many farms could not take on
additional farm laborers, even II they
were available, because Of the added
labor involved In providing meals and
lodging.
The New I'm the Army and Navy.
do nd
cannot use, boys under is years Of age
nor boys nor men Of any age who are
not strong and well-developed physlc-
ally. So far as the Army and Navy
are concerned, there is nothing more
important that the schools can do than
to keep going at full capacity and at
the same time TO emphasize in every
possible way their work I'm physical
education. High school boys will rem
der the best service OF which they are
capable by remaining in school until
completion OF the high school course.
As soon as the Army is able to an
nounce definitely its need OF men pos
sesslng certain technical and trade
qualifications. 1t will be necessary for
large numbers Of young men is years
Of age and over to respond by taking
the training courses that may be pro-
vided TO prepare them in the shortest
possible time. But, in the meantime,
nothing can possibly be gained by boys
doing otherwise than to continue in
school, laying the very best possible
foundation for such subsequent train
ing II they are wanted, they will be
called
II the schools will carefully select
boys having suitable physical develop
ment and other necessary qualifications, |
prepare them for the various branches
Of agricultural work. and send them out
to service on the farms under proper [
auspices during the approaching va
cation, they will undoubtedly be OF I
ferng greater relief In the present /
emergency than would be possible by /
attempting TO carry on any work inn /
mediately under the Army or Navy.
Vigorous physical training under dis
ciplyine furnishes excellent preparation
for civil or military usefulness later
on. Such value as formal military
drill in the high schools may have.
however, is more ligely to be through
keeping the boys satisfied to remain
in school than as contribution to the
immediate military strength OF the
country
The Need in Civil Service.
There is a strong demand for clerks,
and typewriters, but the
places cannot be flled by boys and
yirls under IS years OF age. No ad-
vantage would accrue to the civil ser
lice in any way by shutting down the
schools or by cuFiailing school facil-
ties.
Many civil service positions have
,een filled by drawing workers from
and industrial houses, and
Ilso by drawing from the schools. All
II the positions thus made vacant
INST be filled from some source.
Therefore, schools could undoubtedly
'ender a much needed service by or
ranizinz classes TO train stenOgraphers,
clerks and secretaries.
rhe Need OF Industry.
Many industries and commercial es-
could use capable boys
md girls for various kinds OF service,
,ut government officials maintain that
10 emergency exists which iustifles pro-
posing any relaxation OF the laws safe
guarding the working condition OF the
5oung people.
still more serious labor shortages in
industry are anticipated, but boys and
ylrls under IS years OF age should not
,e used to make us these shortages
my more than can possibly be helped.
{ is easier to provide approved work
ng conditions on the farm than in the
mill or factory
summary OF Conclusions and Recon-
mendatiOns.
4. Conditions in different sections Of Il
he country are so diverse that no de- Y
allied policy will be uniformly applica- \
lie. Only benersl policies and princi- \
lies may be adopted for the country as \
whole \
he Elementary schools. II
3. There appears to be nothing In III
he present or prospective war emer-
ency to justify curtailment In any n
espect OF the sessions OF the element
~ schools, or OF the education OF boys 4
nd girls under "a years Of age, and
othing which should serve a. an eX- J!
use for interference with the pru- \
ressive development OF the school III
ystem. Teachers and pupils may be
10 find ways Of perform n
" in the schools some service having n
ar value. such as activities connected
1th the Junior Red Cross, war-garden II
ork Boy Scouts, war thrift work ana N
le like. Opportunities should be III
,und TO introduce into the school ac- u
vitles having real educational value III
80. - A. oarna time connect the iii