Milford chronicle., 1919-07-11
STATE BOARDS URGE
IMPORTANT CHANGES
lconcIuded from first pagel

iCOncluQeQ from uISt pdbcJ
financial returns, in the production Of
food supply for city and country, and
especially satisfying in interest and
well being for those who live in it,; a
state whose industrial communities are
soundly developing, prosperous and
ambitious, with satisfied workmen at
tached TO the community; a State
where in city and country, children
are we'll born, with all the safeguards
of health. and the opportunities OF a
thorough and full education assured
them from their birth; a State where
the alien finds friends and urgent per-
suasion to become a true American; a
State where rich and poor, old and
Young. are properly and decently hous-
ed. and where they may find whole
some recreation, so that they may
work hard, with healthy bodies and
clear minds, and find happiness in the
work. the play, the duties and priYi-
leges, and the companionship which
go with a truly successful personal
and community life.
Resources
"If this is our program for Della
ware. our first practical step is to
consider our resources for working
it out.
''For three of the main divisions,
government, health and education, we
have official agencies. The Survey
Commission. the State Board Of
Health and the State Board Of Edu-
cation in charge of the new School
Code.
Official and Unofficial
"In Americanization the State Board
of Education has an appropriation for
the education of the foreigner; the
Service Citizens has a cO-Ordinated
program which provides for the con-
tinuation of a broad Americanization
policy and plan of work; in Child Well
fare the State Reconstruction Commits
sion is continuing an active program
in cooperation with the Women's Com
mittee and other child agencies.
Part of Program Not Provided For
This leaves two of the main sub
jects and two of the allied subjects
which are not yet provided for in any
adequate way.
Various aspects of these problems
are touched by both official and un-
official agencies, but there is a clear
field for study and action now, by pri-
vate agencies looking toward official
action later, in the subjects Of indus
try and agriculture, housing and rec
reation.
"A study of industrial management
and possible expansion in Wilmington
of laws and conditions regulating the
development of industry, could well
be undertaken in this way.
"A rural life committee, with funds
and expert advice, could support the
Farm Bureaus and give a new i'm
petus and value to the State Depart
ment of Agriculture. This committee
could make recommendations on rec
reation facilities for town and cOun-
try, and the same or a separate COM
mittee or group might deal with
housing
Recreation and housing in Will
mington present well defined prob
lens for both the social and industrial
points Of view.
"The first tentative plans and bud
gets for the unofficial reports needed
in these directions can easily be Sc
cured.
"As the object and the success of all |
disinterested civic work is to have
public departments assume their le-
gitimate responsibilities for the well
fare of the people, the civic agencies /
in Delaware can now deal with an
Unexpectedly happy advance in sew
eral of their most difficult problems. |
What seemed a ten years program /
of civic effort two years ago has al /
ready become an accomplished fact. /
There is no reason, however, for
any relaxed effort on the part of pri- I
vate agencies. Public departments /
will need assistance and cooperation I
in their new possibilities, and /
there are still relatively large num-
ber Of questions in dire need of solu-
tion which are, so far, untouched by
official responsibility. The gain of the
past two years has been great, but
Utopia is nowhere in sight.
Official Provisions
"For the official program of govern
ment, health, education and child well
fare. the State bodies IN charge have
already demonstrated their seriousness
and intelligence of purpose in plan
ming the work, and their readiness to
accept volunteer assistance when
wisely given to supplement the re-
sources of the State and community.
THE foregoing represents the back
ground of opportunity upon which the
four commissions named have select
ed an Executive Committee, who, fol-
lowing suggestions Rade at the first
of commission members at
Dover, have chosen the officers of an
to be known as Clear
ing House.
I'D For publicity and information,
and
"(2) To consider in conference with
the Executive Committee co-ordinated
plans of activity, which will combine i
economy with effectiveness and pre- ,
vent any waste of time and effort ;
through overlapping and Implications.
Clearing House Objects
Under the clearing house depart
ment, the objects will be:
ITO present the work Of the COM
missions to the public; to arouse in
-erest, create discussion and provide !
4 forum, in connection with all prob
ems arising as the work develops.
'Majorities. minorities, parties, lab {
Dr., capital, and sections of the State
10 have impartial hearings and oppor-
.unities for expression Of views.
"The clearing house in no way to !
iirect or interfere with the work Of J
The separate commissions; to have !
)nly such authority as is delegated by
he commissions themselves, and to be
unofficial except when acting under
delegated official author
ty.