Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-21

Brief Court SeSSlOn-Petty l.;
tendent of Schools
The closing session of the Western
Somerset Teachers Association was a
joint one with the Skowhegan Parent
Teacher Association which was held
Friday evening in Assembly hall with
G. E. Taylor of Madison presiding. The
Skowhegan Grammar School Orches
ira under the direction Of E. E. Towne
furnished music and hymns were sung
by the audience before the speaker
Dr. Augustus @. Thomas, the new
State superintendent. was introduced
DR. Thomas address was based on
Tho Rural School and Rural Life"
and he said i'll part:
We have recently become aware that
we have d rural problem in America.
Perhaps the great war has developed
this idea more than it would otherwise
have developed in many years. We
shall not only feed ourselves but feed
other nations also. When we think
of the great food producing resources
OF our country we are inclined 10 THINK
them inexhaustible. but onr per capita
production is greatly OF the decrease,
The great American frontier with the
land reckoning it's settlers IS no more.
1t becomes necessary for us then to
confer to the fullest extent the agli-
cultural lands of the nation. Ii is not
only soil conservation but OF reStoia-
ton. Population keeps increasing. III
our food resources keep decreasing the
nation will lose much OF its inherent
strength.
In order to make the schools Of the
country of proper standard well train
ed teachers are necessary They must
he trained not only in the subject mat
ter and methods but in agriculture and
in all rural life interests. They must
be in sympathy with rural life move
ments and with rural people. They
must be capable of understanding the
rural problem. They must be capable
of leadership a teacher who teaches
in the rural schools should have her
professional education well finished.
But how are we to get such teachers?
1t would have been safe five years
ago to suggest that the Federal gov
eminent cooperate with the states in
financing our educational system but
, today it is fast becoming Il live is
sue Several prominent organizations
largely representative have recently
passed resolutions calling upon the
United States government TO appro-
pirate one million to the State for CO.
operative educational purposes. lp all
probability if such an appropriation IS
made it will double this amount. This
would give the State of Maine as well
as other states Of the union an OPP
portunity to demand thoroughly equip
ped teachers I'D to offer proper re-
enumeration fer talent.
We would require the same thorough
preparation before entering the rrofes-
sion that we now require Of the lawyer
or physician before practice is under
taken This amount would enable the
making of a minimum wage scale OF not
less than so a year for each additional
years experience until reasonable max
imum is reached. In fact it would give a
reasonable basis for a maximum OF SLID
to $3.50. 1t is not impossible that within
six years after our present hostilitleS
cease that this Ctopian dream may De
realized by the profession.
II will be noticed that one great essen
tial of the future success of our nation
is to make the farm remunerative and at
tractive The United States is estab-
fishing a minimum wage scale for work
men. 1t is establishing the maximum day
for labor. The farmers day is IA hours
long. He swings his lantern at both ends
Of the day and the housewife is no less In
dustrious. The invention OF machinery to
relieve the drudgery and shorten the
hours of toll becomes essential and the
farmers are now demanding that ..e fed
eral government along with its maximum
day and minimum wage establish min
imum price for the farm products In Or
der to guarantee to the farmer Just re-
Enumeration for his capital stock involved
and for his own labor.
DIR. Thomas. who has lately come here
from Nebraska. stated thar he was i'm
pressed with the greatness OF the State
of Maine. With the progressiveness and
substantial character of its vast indus
trial resources. Its agricultural resources
are fully commensurate with It's resources
for manufacturing and commerce. Few
states in the Union have natural resources
for greater independence than MaHle.
stock raising and general agriculture
should be able to supply our entire food
demands according to the address OF the
State chief educational executive.
one more step was taken in the case
of the inhabitants Of Skowhegan
against Martin f. Iieselton of this
town when Mr.. Heselton presented Fri
day to the members of the Skowhegan
fire commission the plans of the I'M
provements lie purposes TO make on his
partially burned business block within
the village limits on Water street. Ac-
cording OF the ruling of the law court
Mr. Heselton was to submit the plans
for improvements he wished to make
in the structure and if they were APP
proved by the commission then Mr.,
Heselton was to proceed with them.
The injunction which was placed on
the property some time ago allowed
Mr.. Heselton the privilege Of repairing
the structure to the extent of protect
ing his property and he is now occupy
ing the store on the ground floor in
part where he was formerly located.
The list of repairs as submitted by Mr.
IS doc