The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-13
WE MUST EDUCATE.

| Well informed writer's on the Rus
sian situation generally agree that the
Bolsheviki are able to maintain con-
troll as a result of the illiteracy of the
people. In order to check the spread
of Bolshevism in this country we must
reduce the large percentage of Hitter
acy which exists here by extending and
| improving our educational methods.
On October 10, Senator Hoke Smith
of Georgia introduced into the United
States senate the most comprehensive
and important educational measure
| that has ever been put before con-
gress. The bill provides for an an
nual appropriation of s10O.0OO,O0O,
provided that sums in equal amount be
appropriated by the several states, for
| the purpose of aiding the states to
carry on more successfully certain
| types of education which most vitality
concern our national welfare. -.
The first selective draft showed that
there were 100000 >illiterates between
| 81 and 81 years of age in this country.
/ That fact stunned us. but there was
| nothing new in it. The census of 1910
/ informed us that there were more
than five and one-half million litter
ates of ten years of age and over in
this country. 1t showed us that one
out of every thirteen persons of ten
years of age and over was an illiterate.
Every fourth illiterate is a native
white of native white. parentage.
We have come to appreciate that
| illiterates do not make good soldiers.
They are not good citizens unless it is
, can be imposed upon 4nd exploited by
others 1t is evident that an illiterate
may earn a living, but earning liv-
| ing Is, after all, only q means to an
end. That end is 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 conveys. thus
laying the foundation for independent
thinking
| The bill now beforesscongress. pro-
vides for $7,5OO.0o0 annually, to be
"apportloned to the states in the pro
portion which their respective filter
ate populations of ten years of age and
+ over not including foreign born illit-
crates bear to the total illiterate popu-
lation of the United States. not includ-
! ing outlying possessions, according to
the last preceding census of the United
! States" There were 3.762,OO3 litter
ates in the United States in 1910, that
are within the terms of the bill. The
allotment by congress would therefore
ten years of age and over. This
| amount, to be available for the re-
moval of illiteracy. would have to be
equaled by a sum appropriated by the
state.
| Kansas had in 191O,-14,S13 such
illiterates.' The congressional allots
ment would be $29,537.12 annually.
This would have to be equaled by the
state, and there would then be avail
able $59,074.24 each year, or about
| $500 for each illiterate.
If the state should start a ten-year
| program for the removal of illiteracy
and if it should each year teach one
tenth of it's illiterates, there would be
available 40 to teach each illiterate to
read and write. This plan should
eliminate illiteracy from the state
within ten years.
The education of foreign born
/ illiterates is provided for in another
section of the bill.
|