Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-20
TEACHING BRITISH TO THINK
By WINSTON CHURCHILL

Sc A LECTURER is coming down from Lon
"A don to talk 10 the wounded in the
amdsement hall of the hospital" our hostess
speak, too"
The three of us got into the only motor
of which the establishment now boasts,
little runabout using n minimum of petrol,
and she guided us rapidly by devious roads
through the fog until the blur of light pro-
claimed the presence of building. one OF
some score built on the golf course by the
British Government. The lecturer had not
arrived But the lady of the manor seated
herself at the speakers table. singing out
the Scotch wits in the audence-for whom
she was more than n match-while the
sculptor and I looked on and Crinned ana
resisted her Establishments TO make speeches.
When at last the lecturer came he sat down
informally on the table with one foot hang
inc In the air and grinned, too, at her pan
,or,ng hut complimentary introduction. II
was then / discovered for the first time 'iiat
GO, ore of the best educational experts
81 that interesting branch OF the British
| Government. the Department OF heco"s'ruc'
No., ,,,,oss business it is to teach the con-
ya,escents the elements OF sociai anu poi't'
too, science. This was not to be a lecture he
,o,a them. but a debate In which every man
&c, take a part. And his first startling
| question was this;
| ,xx,,,, should Mr.. Lloyd George, instead OF
| Getting $4,000 a year for MS services as
pr,u,e Minister receive any more than
common laborer?
r,s question was a poser. The speaker
,.,saa his hands and beamed down at them; {;
,o seemed fairly to radiate benignity.
| .>,o,, we mustn't be afraid Of him, just
| ,,.o be seems to be int tlilsent," declared
hostess. This sally was greeted with
| sro s,nodic laughter. Her eyes nitted from
hench to bench, yet met nothing save averted
a,ances, "Jock! Where are you, Jock? Why
dor.t YOU speak up?-you've never been
| downed before
| Mora laughter and craning of necks for
| cha locks This appeared to be her generic
nar,a for the wits. But the wits remained
| .hdurately modest The prolonged silence
| ,,s mt seem In the least painful TO the lee.
,,,r.r who thrust his hand in his pocket
| "a continued to beam. He had learned how
90 wait. And at last his patience was re-
/ va
serious manner, arose. hestating with en-
oouraging noises from his comrades,
Worried About the "Missus"
.,t,s not Mr.. Lloyd George I'm worrying
| -, sir" he said, "all wants Is enough
a. the mssus and me. i had trouble enough
| - ret that before the war"
Cries of Hear! Hear"
.rWhy did you have trouble% inquired
the lecturer mildly.
.1he wages was too low"
| "And why were the wages too lowY
| "You'ye got me there. i hadn't thought '
| .sBut isn't 1t your business as voter to
| thinkY' asked the lecturer. That's why the
| Government is sending me here. to start you
20 thinking, to remind you that 1t is you
| soldiers who will have to take charge OF
this country and run II after the war is
| over And you won't be able to do that
,risss YOU think. and think straight"
.rWe'ye never been taught to Think" was
the illuminating reply.
| educated to express ourselves. same as you T.
shouted another man, In whom excitement
had overcome tlmidty.
.'rm here to help you educate yourselves
.a,d the lecturer. But first let's hear any
IDEAS you may have on the question asked
| Thers turned out 10 b plenty Of ideas
n sfk6r ~ An oplpien - yentured ths'
Aeys 9s25I ~ ssS'.ss . y es