Evening star., 1918-02-03

and engines, photography. fghting in
the air, radio and meteorology, men
trained In the school Of the European
war, were sent to Washington. SO that
the combined experiences of three ma
tions represented by about thirty Of
fcers and men became available to as
sist in finding a solution of the prob
lems confronting the United States. At
this time there are many more officers
and members of the foreign flying corps
in the United States helping to solve
the problems that come up from day
to day.
Although training machines could be
obtained, the war airplane. with its
|refinements of construction and its
engine of unprecedented efficiency. was
practically unobtainable in the United
States as late as April of last year.
The liberty engine. which for power,
lightness and efficiency compares IA
rably with the best European types.
was under development in June.
The needs of the military establish
ment have necessitated special provi-
sions by the
Handling Mails for Post ONCE
Our Forces Abroad. for ~. nsna. s
ling of mail for the American war
forces at nome ana dDTOdu. MS hdS
been brought about speedily and satfs-
factorily officials of the department
feel, though it involved a specially or
ganized service for the camps and can
tonments at home and a new postal
service adapted to the needs of the ex-
peditionary force and to the Navy
abroad
Upon the declaration Of war with
Germany the officials of the department
took immediate steps to provide an ade-
tn m q & n
postal experts studied the extensive
British and French army postal service
in London and Paris and at the front.
and the first United States Army post
ter the arrival of the first contingent OF
regular troops on the continent. Since
that time Army postal stations have
followed or anticipated the American
troops The mail is distributed to COM
panies and other units and delivered
daily by railroad and Army trucks to
the various camps. where it Is turned
over TO the authorized representatives
of the Army for proper delivery. The
difficulties at first experienced, it is
stated. because of the insufficiency Of
address of letters. the change in troop
organizations, and other similar causes
have been removed and the service Is
now satisfactory, subject, however. to
the irregularity of ocean transportation
movements, necessary censorship, and
the heavy demands on the railway ia
ciiities in France
The mail service for the United States
creased in volume, the Navy mail hav-
ing been extended to apply to naval
training camps and to the headquarters
OF the various detachments of the
United States marines at different
poHts abroad.
At home 1t has been necessary to pro-
vide adequate mail facilities to serve
more than 100000 men mobilized at
the various cantonments and aviation
fields. The accomplishment of this was
a crucial test of the capacity and organ
ization Of the postal service. Not only
has provision been made to deliver and
receive mails upon the arrival of the
drst contingents of troops at their mil
itary camps, but provision has been
made for the transaction of money
order and postal savings business, the
registration OF letters, and the receipt
and dispatch Of collect-on-delivery and
post offices are stations attached in
each instance to the nearest large post
office and are under the supervision and
direction of the postmaster at that
place. In this manner the department
secures the efficient supervision of ex-
perienced postal employees. Such branch
omces have been established at military
camps in tWenty-nine states, and the
average volume and Importance of busi-
ness is said to be equal to that of Of
fees in cities having a population of
100000. The military authorities also
have rendered valuable assistance and
cooperation in establishing conditions
favorable to an efficient service. The
clerical force has been drawn from the
experienced body of employees in the
post omces generally. and the co-opera
ton of these clerks. as well as that of
the postmasters. many Of whom ex-
changed comfortable homes for the in
convenfences of camp life, is certainlv
to be commended.
Despite the fact that normal schools
which prepare teachers for elementary
schools learned long ago
Normal that a normal school
e.h..,. without a practice school
S0s' is like a swimming school
without water" and that no effective
professional training can be given with
out ample opportunity for observation
OF the ordinary processes Of teaching
and school organization and MANAGEMENT.
der expert direction and intelligent
sympathetic criticism, few colleges and
universities. VI ,i,sd..; schools and DEPARTMENTS
teachers for high schools and Of super
intendents. supervisors. principals and
special teachers made at first any pro-
vision for such observation and prac-
reap OF education.
Tie experience OF these schools has.
however. the officials state. finally
taught them that high school teachers.
superintendents. supervisors, princi-
pals and teachers of special subjects
need opportunity for observation and
practice during the period of their pro-
fessional preparation. no less than do
those who are preparing to teach in
the elementary schools. and one after
another. it has been found. colleges and
universities with classes. schools or de-
partments of education nove estab-
lished ONE kind OF practice or observa-
ton school for the use of their stu
for them to do this kind OF work. A
study has recently been made by ex-
perts of the bureau in regard to the
organization. maintenance and use of
these schools and in regard to the re-
suits obtained.
1t was found by the experts during
the course of the study made that all
varieties of supervision exist. from
practically little or no supervision to
close and careful supervision. Often
it was found that representative of
resentative of the collegiate depart
ment concerned do this work. In
several cases 1t was found evident that
the staff of the department or school
OF education had full supervision of
this work. The typical arrangement
is a combination of a representative of
the department of education with se-.e
other person or persons. In several
places it was found that the supervi
sion was conducted by persons who
have practically no connection with the