The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1918-01-12
PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE
Educational Advance Necessary ia
Meet After.War Conditions

,
Educational Advance Necessary to
Meet After.War Conditions.
The New Orleans Times -Picayune,
Item and Daily States each published
last Sunday an interview with a we'll
known citizen of Donaldsonville who
mas been in the federal service in that
city during the past fifteen years, and
we feel sure many readers of the
Chef Will be interested in his views
on the important topic that was un-
! der discussion, since it is one that will
have vital bearing on the future
welfare Of every community in Louisi-
ana. The following is clipped from
the esteemed Times-Picayune:
That it is the duty of the public
press as great American institution
to enllghten the people as to the alb
solute need of larger and more lib
eral education, is the contention made
by L. E. Bentley, deputy collector of
the port, and one of the pioneers in
the modern newspaper field in Louisi-
ana.
Mr.. Bentley, who is the secretary
of the Louisial.a. Press Association,
and the only surviving charter men,
ber of that well-known organization,
as an active member of the Public
School Alliance is very much interest
ed in the worldwide agitation to
develop an educational system that
will fit the people to meet the condi-
tions of the future, when democracy
has conquered absolutism, and as a
newspaper man he appreciates the
part the press must play in shaping
the public mind in the emergency.
sit is very evident to us. of today
that, the rising generation must face
new conditions said Mr.. Bentley
Saturday, "and education is necessary
to fit the rising generation for these
conditions.
Things will be vastly different in
that later, happier time, in which the
boys and girls of today will move in
the stirring human drama as men and
women. The war will bring about
the change, and in the change will be
presented problems which in their So
luton will require not only trained
thought, but the application of the
highly cultured mind.
Inventions will be spurred, agri-
cul-ure improved, vast endcavors for
the general good attempted, and to
successfully meet these issues and
bring them to the plane Of golden
realization we must have education Of
the most advanced type; that is, we
must have it now to shape the minds
which will direct that magnificent fu-
ture of which / speak.
In fact, as Imsee the future, we
will be made over physically and
spiritually, and education will be the
firm rock upon which the ship of civili-
zaticn may moor and ride the calm
waters Of peace to the end Of time.
6 Today Is the day Of sacrifice; "
true americans we are il ready and
willing to make any sacrifice I'd insure
our country's victory in the great
struggle for humanity, and in our
readiness and desire to insure the
safety Of the future we should not I
overlook education. No sacrifice is too
great to make for education, for edu-
cation is the certain bulWark of de-
mocracy, and only through education
will the people achieve the victory of
right living, which sis the first and
greatest intent of democracy.
tsStatistics show that England and
France, although having borne the
brpnt of the great war for several
years, are not unmindful Of educa-A
tion, and are planning great advances
in the public instruction OF their
young. Those governments see the
needs of the future, and are preparing
to meet them, and America must have
the same foresight.
eve must have more school room.
By that mean greater space than is
now available. We must have addi-
tions to our curriculum, including
special training in trades and pro-
fessions, for the future will have a
great demand for trained men and
women, and we must see that our
teachers are better paid.
GAS I said before, in this day OF
terrific crisis, the people are making
sacrifices, and let me urge again q
willingness to make sacrifice in the
cause Of education, if ever the time
comes for such sacrifice.
IT am sure all the papers very plain
" see their duty, which is to educate
the people to the needs of larger,
broader and greater education. Lalso
am sure the papers in New Orleans
will do their part in such campaign,
and / am confident the patriotic peo-
| pie Of our city will see to it that we
keep up with the procession of educa-
tiona1 advance.
Economy Of Superlative Importance.