Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-30
Federal Aid for virginia's Schools

JUST as Virginia is about to terminate its
j highway disgrace through the medium OF
Federal aid, SO at no distant date it may find
relief for the disturbing wage conditions
which threaten to plunge its public school
system into mediocrity or worse. There is
now pending in Congress the SmithTowner
bill, which has the Endorsement Of the lead
ing education associations as well as the
American Federation of Labor. Under its
provisions, should it be enacted into law,
department of education, with a secretary
holding seat in the Cabinet at it's head,
would be established, and an initial appro-
priation Of S100,000.000 would be made.
Among the various objects for which this ap-
preparation would be used are the removal Of
illiteracy. Americanization, equalization of
educational opportunity, physical education
and teacher preparation 1t is proposed to
expend this money through apportionment to
the States, which would be requested to meet
the Federal appropriation on a dollar-for-
dollar basis and. in addition, to guarantee
certain standards in the public schools
The bill commends itself to all thinking
people who have at heart Americas welfare,
Which depends on the training, mental and
physical. which its schools are able to give
to its future citizens, the boys and girls now
in the schoolrooms Billions are spent in
building up war machine, tens of millions
for the advancement OF industries, commerce
and agriculture. all vital to the nation S safety
and growth. but education. the very founda-
ton rock of the republic. has been neglected
The elevation of .Ae cause Of education to the
dignity of government department has been
delayed too long, and the 500, 900 900 sought
TO be expended in its establishment and for
state aid seems comparatively small sum
when the work which insistenty demands to
be done is considered
Should the Smith-Towner measure pass at
this session of Congress, and it is hoped that
Virginia's Senator'S and Representatives will
stand solidly back of it, this States educa-
tional problem will be greatly simpliied by
The time the General Assembly convenes in
January, 1920. In any event that BODY must
take some intelligent and comprehensive
steps at that time TO relieve the schools and
mend their alarming conditions, else capable
men and women no longer can be retained in
the teaching forces. With the proposed Fed
eral aid, the amount of money set aside by the
State will be doubled SO that the greatest
good can be accomplished with the least pos
slbie burden to the taxpayers.
1t is out OF the question to expect the public
schools to continue to function properly while
the average salary paid to teachers in the
United States is S630.64. as it was in 1918,
an increase of II per cent in three years. in
which time the average cost Of living in
creased moro than 100 per cent. With this
condition existing, it is little wonder that
the service of the nations schools no longer
attracts ambitious young men and women
put are too rapidly becoming the refuge OF
the incompetents and failures and that those
VINO nave spent years in the noblest of all
professions are deserving their tasks and 60
ing where their talents bring at least living
monetary reward. The situation in Virginia
perhaps is more acute than in p,onv other
States, but ii is so serious as to be alarming,
and now that relief is possible through Con-
gress, it will do we'll to lend its influence
toward securing it.