The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-09-18
FOR BETTER SCHOOLS
SOUTH DAKOTA PLANS STATE
WIDE EDUCATIONAL REV.
OLuTIoN.

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South Dakota, which for a dozen
years has been the most prosperous
state In the union per capita popula-
ton, is now to lead the other states
Of the union In a statewide drive for
better educational facilities. The big
national conference on rural educa-
ton, which will be held In Sioux Falls
October 12-15, is intended to pave the
way to concentrated efforts. on the part
of the federal bureau of education at
Washington looking to an accelerated
activity among educators all over the
United States. This Is the intention
OF the bureau, says DR.. j. l.. McBrien,
OF Washington, school extension agent,
in a letter detailing some OF the aims
of the government toward affording
the children Of the country greater OPP
p%ortunties for an education. The pro-
gram for the big conference, which Is
expected to attract from $500 to 1000
educators, is not yet arranged; but will
be announced before long. This is to
be the fifteenth conference OF the Unit
ed States bureau Of education, which
is bending all it's energies toward OBJ
tanning better rural schools, the work
having commenced In September, 1914,
with the first conference in Chicago.
Good roads enthusiasts from Wyo-
ming and Montana have been visiting
Lead and other cities of the Black
Hills for the purpose Of interesting the
residents Of this part Of the northwest
In the construction Of an automobile
highway to the Custer battlefield, sit
uated on the Little Big Horn river,
In southern Montana. 1t Is planned to
construct the highway through Sheri-
dan, Wyo., which would evade the
mountains Of that section Of Wyoming.
1t is possible that in time the proposed
highway will be connected with some
Of the Black Hills automobile high
ways, SO tourists visiting the Black
Hills can, IL they desire, after COM
plotting their journeys in the Hills, also
visit the battlefield.
The state auditors department Is
sending out the annual warrants on
wolf bounty claims, and is this year
paying ST. cents on the dollar, the
highest amount ever paid under the
pro rata law of payment of such claims.
The last legislative session changed
the method of paying wolf bounties,
providing for payment at face value on
presentation, instead Of requiring the
claimant to wait to the end OF the
year Cor pro rating the claims. The
appropriation was increased from $751;
600 TO SIS 5000, and with the experience
of several years, this amount should
pay ell claims on the fund.
A few years ago the average farmer
looked upon the mar who procured a
county office as being especially ia
vored, and the office holder was en-
We'd for the income he received from
that source. This was especially true
in the small counties of the state. Last
election 1t was difficult to get candi-
dates for some of the county places,
and in Su1Iy county the county auditor
has rendered his resignation on the
ground that he needs to get back to
the farm to make a living for himself
and family.
Farmers can have samples Of their
own grain graded at the United
States department OF agriculture ex-
hibit on the state fair grounds at HUI
ron next week. The government has
notified State college that it has pro-
vided a grain grading outfit in charge
Of federal grain supervisors who will
explain and demonstrate how federal
grades for wheat, shelled corn and
oats are applied,
Carl Christensen, director OF the
State college band, is swamped with
applications for membership in the
girls band this fall. He says present
indications are that more than seventy
Ave girls will want instruction on band
Instruments. The girls band is an ac-
tive feature of college life. The organ
ization last year played at the soldiers
homecoming celebration at Sioux Falls.
The rapid growth In population Of
Sioux Falls is shown by the enroll
ment in the high school, which, at the
opening for the fall and winter term.
shows an Increase Of 100 over the en-
rollment of last year.
Local committees are making elafo.
rate arrangements for a big homecom-
ing celebration, which is to be hold in
Madison on September Is in honor of
the returned service men OF the city
and vicinity.
Montrose boasts of one OF the strong
est semi-professional ball teams in the
northwest. and is anxious to book
games with n strong team in the
state to decide the state championship.
A branch trail from Mobridge to
the Black Hills region is being consid-
cred by state officials and some sort
OF recommendation may soon be an
nounced.
The government plans to send about
100 soldiers to State college this fall
Tor a two-year course in auto, truck
and tractor mechanics.
The contract for erecting . new
brick public school building In Rec