Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-13
SCHOOLMEN SEEK WAY
TO ASSIST FARMERS
Suggestion That Students Be Re-
leased for Agricultural
Work Is Discussed

lHNN ldl SO lllbt tOcN VIII ne dDle 10 engage
in farm work without prejudicinR their
education occupied the attention Of Penn-
sylvsnia's college and university heads at a
special meeting at the University Of Penn.
syivania yesterday.
The meeting was presided over by George
Leslie Omwal,e president Of Urslnus. Virtu
ally every institution OF higher learning in
the state was represented in the discussion
which. the delegates said, concerns the most
vital topic facing colleges and high schools
at present,
lf students below tho draft age arc to b.
released for farm work something will have
70 be done to overcome the loss in schooling,
the educators agreed. Various suggestions
were made in this respect
An arrangement that has been made hc-
tween the Philadelphia high schools and the
University Of nsylvana disclosed yes
tcrday for the first time. seemed to meet with
general approval. 1t was explained on be-
half of the University by Dr. George c.
Chambers, director Of admissions.
Agreement Reached with High schools
Doctor Chambers said the University OF
Pennsylvania had decided to accept the en-
trance requirements Of all high school stu
dents who have done less than the required
amount of scholastic work II the deficiency
IS due TO their leaving their studies for farm
work. Student applicants, must, however.
present certificates showing the actual
amount Of time lost and statement OF the
satisfactory completion OF their work on the
farm. Also. In eases where tho student
wishes to enter the engineering and other
al IA. .,iI I.,N ia ma q
certain establishments in his study OF foreign
language and mathcmatica.
Doctor Chambers added that the University
Of Pennsylvania has decided to repeat its
experiment Of last year in cXcusiug students
FOR farm service, with full credit for lost
time
\ strong appeal for the release Of college
aud high >choo,s for farm service was made
TO the college heads by John =. Frazee d-
rortor Of the United states public service re-
serve. lie said farm labor was never scarcer
than now and that it was W. TO the Govern
ment to make good its promise to the farmers
to furnish them with hands.
1T has been suggested that our soldiers
leave the cantonments and temporarily ap-
PLY themselves to farm work." said Mr..
Fra2cc. But what sad commentary 1t Is
on the patriotism Of 9S,000000 Americans
when they would allow 100000 mon who
cmplo, meut and help the nation out Of its
difiicuties,'
10. .OOO. 900 TO France Predicted
Doctor Frazcc stated. by way Of cmpha-
sizing the seriousness Of the war situation,
that eventually 1OOO0.000 men will bc sent
to France Nathan G.. Schaeffer, state Su-
pcrintendcut of Public Instruction. promptly
took issue with tho statement, saying it
was a wild cXaggeration.
EI,s,t hug HAY
Inc asked ~ object to such wild state
mCuts."
In rcplv, Doctor Frazcc asked Supcrin-
tcndcnt Schaeffer If he knew that the New
York Real Estate Board recently insured
thousands Of dollars worth OF property IN
New York against bombardment
"Now YOU know business men don't do
that out Of sentiment said Doctor trazec'
"rhat doesn't prove anything was the
reply Of MIR. Schaefcr
Following Doctor Frazcc's address rcso-
union was PASSED requesting him to send
Cuu particulars Of his plan Of recruiting stu
dents for farm service to the coucsc neads'
An increase In the number of school terms
and shortening ot the summer Ndeal'o,
,yrre among the recommendations made at
the meeting.
mr. Weir c. Kcilcr head Of Grove city
roIlcre. explained the operation OF the tour
term system in his institution lie Halu II
had worked satsraCtorily pr Harvey
RrnmblnEN, pTSSlutIN " oN'i''N'N
and a relative Of Governor BrumDaush ad-
yocatcd shortening vacations.
Or Edwin Sparks, president OF state COL
Inrp offered a resolution, which was ADOPTED,
ulcdging all possible aid By colleges ana
universities 10 the training and preparation
rnr new yocations Of men VINO return in
capacitatcd from foreign war service.
shorter Course Outlined
chancellor Mccormick, Of the University
MIA lnEw. afNn
eiphteen-ycar-old hish-schoOl graduates will
hc ahIe TO 90 college and receive their bach
elor's degree in three years This means, he
said speeding up the work In the high
,chools Dean Arthur H. Quinn, of the Uni-
varsity Of Pennsylvania, said it was easily
uns5,nic tor a good student to graduate in
An announcement Of interest to teachers
was made by Chancellor Mccormick, who
stated that those giving instruction to sol
diers and students in the reserve corps in
dental medical. engineering and other sci
cntihc schools can be exempted from tie
draft by application TO the adjutaut generals
Office at Washington.
The session Of the State college heads was
held in conjunction with meetings of the
ychoolmcu during the morning, afternoon and
night Addresses were made by Nathan G.
Schaefrer Or. Charles II. Judd, director of
the school of education. University of Chi
cago: L. II. Dennis State director of agri-
Of vocational education at Johnstown. Pa.
Franklin 7, Graves, dean of the school of
education. University of Pennsylvania, and
\. Duncan Nocun, professor of education,
University Of Pennsylvania.
Superintendent SChaCffer discussed the ef-
feet of the war on the public schools. Many
communities where steel mills, powder plants
aud shipbulding yards have caused sudden
increases in population, ne said, are without
school accommodations. lie said Secretary
McAdOo and the Federal Reserve Bank were
opposed TO the issue OF school bonds. and
without such an issue II was impossible to
erect much-ueeded school buildings.
Teachers Leaving schools
The salaries paid to clerks and stenogra-
pliers have caused many teachers TO resign
and go to Washington" said Doctor Schaef-
fer. "The draft has taken vocational teachers
whose places cannot be supplied. All over
the country the war is causing a shortage of
teachers
The statement that Germany is winning