Evening journal., 1918-04-22
WAGNER LArns cROss.

WAGNER LAlDS OHUSc.
IN CHARLES A. WAGNER formerly was State Com
U missioner OF Education in Delaware He was
brought here from Pennsylvania by Governor Miller
Being an educational progressive who believed IN bring
ing the Delaware educational system, particularly in
the rural districts up to twentieth century standards he
naturally came in conflict with educational standpatters
and reactlonarcs down the state Through various
channels they made things unpleasant for Dr. Wagner
that when Chester which recognized his educational
value offered him the superlntendency Of its public
schools he resigned as state Commissioner Of Educa-
lion and accepted Chester position He Is there today
doing highly beneficial educational work
While Dr. Wagner was in Delaware tho county school
supernendenis in New Castle Kent and Sussex counties
were under his direction. lie had intimate knowl-
edge Of their work ard its effectiveness Therefore the
following setter received from him by US bearing upon
the resignation Of Or. f. L. Cross superintendent Of
Schools Of New Castle county, is Of widespread public
interest especially in the rural school districts;
NV four years OF association with Dr. Cross IN school
work in Delaware gives the right, and even imposes
the duty to summarize the services Of Dr. Cross as ne
himself would not do for reasons Of modesy ana as
no could do because Of unfamiharity with the
facts. ..,
10 his superintendent to help teachers to help
/ children He measured his services and deVouon, not
by the clock by the manifestations OF gratitude ana
appreciation, but only by the limits OF MS time ana
capablity He gave all he had to give. Let us look at
a few Of his achievements.
Institutes which started this branch toward It's former
rank and position namely, an attainment worth Whlle
for everybody and possible OF improvement Tor every
pupil in school
lie inaugursted the movement which resulted in the
donation OF cups az prizes in dccamatory and essay
contests Is any argument needed to demonstrate the
Importance OF this activity Education consists Of two
processes learning and expressing what has been learned
Hence the public speaking contests supply almost ha
OF the educatve process that s children VINO cannot
speak and think in public on their feet are less than ha
He carried on interesting and profitable meetings with
his teachers Saturdays to discuss new problems and
| tn arici AZ
drain on his time and strength he was blamed, not
praised he deserved The chief criticism was that
imposed too much labor on the teachers ridiculous
criticism teachers confessed the advantages or ht
meetings but II It too hard for the teachers, how
every saturday not every fourth nth Saturday anc
many evenings a week each week. The prophecies OF
dcton forbid the use Of the right term Tor suc
criticism
lie helped to organize and to keep alive and active
many Parent-Teacher Associations Better eduoatona
sentiment has been and will be one OF the certain results
of the work of these associations. With far-sghtet
comprehension Dr. cross gaused tnelr worth ana @ eh
dured much hardship TO keep interest and enort alive
them.
He founded tho delaware School Journal, educa
tonal event which is already believed to be Of NOR
historical Importance than any other departure
since And educator with this spirit and conrsg
FOR new enterprises in education is permitted to quit hi
Job without protest.
Through the columns of the Delaware School Jour
na Dr. Cross spread the installation OF School Lbrare
in many schools II he had done nothing else than this
nr Cross would have assured himself Of full need
neverdying gratitude from children who have found th
new world OF delight the world of delight in good book
a life possession worth more than money. But thi
o like Ali the achievements named here was not In n
Il list OF Official duties These the "fun measure,
ming over" OF service which he And what expre
sions OF appreciation has he heard2 Some few TO II
honor and credit OF few discerning and appreciati'
> souls be u recorded
All these activities cost heavily in time, labor. eners
: and not one not even the paper made any money.
s duties Official and officially imposed were discharge
without murmur complaint Also the list here name
and others connected with supervision OF teaching An
T now he lays down his once Shall not the voice
d friendship, OF ofold appraisal be raised in Just 81
probation OF his ungrudging unstinted service OF Low
Of actual conservation Many people in New Cast
county alas, do not realize what ss their loss as
" Cross leaves the county superinendency.
e We don't know about definite expressions OF al
n probation in the rural Districts but do know IN
10 many persons interested in education in rural Ne
Castle county have expressed and stl expressin
'e regret that Dr. Cross IS TO retire. Surely, b
stance which expressions Of regret should hsnd-l
hand with expressions OF appreciation from the teacher
ID the pupils and the parents throughout the county.