Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1918-12-06
IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL
BILL NOW REFORE CONGRESS

On October 10. 1913. Senator Hoke
Smith OF Georgia. introduced into the
United States senate the most COM
prehensIve and important educational
measure that has ever been pat be-
fore congress. The bill provides for
an annual appropriation OF Sl0O. .OOO.-
600, provided that sums in equal
amount be appropriated by the sew
erai states, for the purpose OF aiding
the states TO carry on more success
fully certain types Of education which
most vitality concern cur national well
fare. The main provisions of the
bill are MS follows:
1. For the removal OF illiteracy.
81. SEQ, 900.
q. For the AmericaniSation OF
foreigners, $780, ,000 annually.
3. For the equalization of educa-
tiOnal opportunities within the sever
al states. particularly in rural and
village schools. s60. 600 900 annually.
4. To cooperate with the states
In the promotion Of physical and
health education and recreation, S20,~
900 goo annually.
s. To extend and improve the ia-
cllIties for the preparation of teach.
ers for public schools. and particu-
larly the rural schools, $4,000, 900
annually.
6. The creation Of an Executive
Department known ~ the Depart
ment OF Education, with > secretary
n the presidents cabinet. This de-
lartment IL 20 administer the educa-
tional work OF the government which
q assigned 10 Il.
The needs for such q law we're
brought 70 light by the draft law. as
il developed that there were 100000
llIiterates IN this country between
the ages Of a and 81 years..
The fact stunned us, nus there was
nothing new IN II. The census Of
1910 Informed uP that there were
more than Ave and one-half million
llliteratea OF ten years Of age and
over in this country. II showed us
that one out Of every thirteen persons
~ ten years OF age and over was an
llliterate. Every fourth iliiterats IL 9
native white Of native white parent
age. We have come to appreciate
that illiteratea do not make good sol
diers. They are not good citizens
unless II IL the plan to have some cit7
Izens that can be imposed upon and
exploited by others. II ls evident
that an illiterate may earn n living.
but earning q living Is. after ali. only
means 70 an and. That end IL the
living OF a worthy life In our day
and generation. This can be done
only BY those who can independently
get into contact with the facts. ideas.
and ideals that the printed page con-
yeys. thus laying the Foundation for
Independent thinking.
The bill now before congress pro-
videa for $500. 900 annually. TO be
"apportioned 20 the states in the pro-
portion which their respective Hitter.
ate populations Of ten years OF age
and over tnOt including foreign born
'lliterates1 bear to the total illitsrate
population Of the United States. moi
Including outlying possessions. nc.
cording 70 the last preceding census
II the United States" There were
| 3.76s,003 illiterates I'm the United
States. In 1910. that are withln tbs
terma OF the bin. The allotment By
congress would therefore amount q
,sl,ss4 EoF each illterate ten years oi
age and over This amount. 70 b
available for the removal Of ilIitsraey
would have 70 be eqnaled By = sun
appropriated BY the state.
Idaho had. In 1879. 744 sueh Hitter
ates. The congressional aiIofmsn
would Be si.4s3.S4 annually. Thi
would have 70 be squaied b. th,
state. and there would then be avail
able s2.ss7.0s each year. or sinos
500 for eaeh fllitsTats.