The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1918-06-10

Purpose OF Plan 10 Not Only to In
crease Efficiency Of Fighting Men
Which Engaged In War, but to Pre-
pare Them for Vocational Useful
ness After Wsr-Many Experienced
Educators Available for Work.
With the sanction Of General Perish
Ing, r. G. Carter. the general secre-
tary Of the Young Mems Christian as.
ISOLATION with the American expedi-
tionary forces has begun the organi-
cation Of a university for the Ameri-
can soldiers In France. The purpose
of this institution Is not only to In
crease the efficiency of the fighting
while engaged In war. but at the
same time to prepare them for voca-
tional usefulness after the war.
As a nucleus for the faculty for this
far-flung university, which will have
classes In all the FIVE hundred Y. M. C.
A. huts along the French front, there
are among the two thousand secreta.
ries Of the Y. M. c. A. abroad more
than n hundred college presidents.
public school superintendent and prin-
cipals, and others Of wide experience
In educational affairs.
Arson Phelps Stokes, secretary of
Yale university. who has been In
France some time, has consented to
assume charge as director until an
other educator competent for the posi-.
ton can be obtained. And, ulti-
mately. the control Of the university"
win be placed In the hands Of an army
commission composed of three Amer
leans Of large educational experience.
10 Part Of the Army.
The university" which Is really a
component part of the United States
army, Will be officially known as .the
department Of education" and General
Pershing has placed at the service of
the university all soldiers who are ex-
perienced instructors and who will act
as such whenever they are available
and not needed In the more grim du-
ties at the front.
The department of education will
act In close cooperation with the lee
ture and the library bureaus. which
are already In full swing.
The French are extremely delighted
with the new educational venture and
declare that II will tend In no small
measure to consolidate the friendship
between France and America. Mon.
sieur Petit Dutaillis, director OF the
~Ofice National des Universities
Ecoles Franchises" represents a group
OF French educators who have prof
fered their services enthusiastically
toward the upbuilding of the unique
university.
The project contemplates primarily
an elementary course calculated to ia.
miliarize the soldiers with the insti
tutions. customs, ideals and genius OF
America. France, England and the 9th
ef allied nations. and, by contrast with
the present-day ideals Of Germany. t.
bring the soldiers to q keen realiza
ton Of the transcendental gloriou.
cause they are fighting for.
Elementary English will also b,
taught to American soldiers Of foreign
parentage: and even the "Three RS
will have their place as part of the
curriculum. But there will be provis
lon also for more advanced students
for the men who have had to break of
their college studies to take part ii
the bitter struggle to make the worlt
. decent place to live in.
Tho French language viii be laugh
By native French teachers, who will
employ the direct method. refrainin,
from the use Of English entirely dur
ing the instruction.
Prominent Educators at Work.
Among those already at work In tn,
higher branches OF the curriculum mr.,
Professor DAILY. head Of the depart
ment Of biology at Harvard university
both Of whom are Y. ii. G. A. secre
taries.
Mr.. Carter says that the object,
Of the new university are OF so emi
nenfly practical q nature and fraugh
with 50 much good In so many direc
t1ons that Il Is very likely that ever,
soldier In the American expeditionar,
forces will gladly embrace the oppor
tunity to avail himself Of what It ha,
to offer.
The educational system Is being or
ganized In q flexible manner. so ms t.
make II equally useful during the wal
and after hostilities have ceased nnt
the period Of demobilization has Sc
in. It II designed especially with tn,
latter end IN view, to give the arm,
the largest possible industrial. yoca
tional and other educational advan
tages which will stand the men In goot
stead during the long period OF re
construction after the war.
Certificates Will be issued to thos'
who have made good use Of the edu
cational opportunity thus offered, an,
these certificates can be presented to
credits at American educational insti
tuttons, and Will also aid their hold
erD n securing business advancement
Pig Kept h Bath Room.
The old song. They Kept the ri,
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