Evening journal., 1919-08-19
URGE BANKERS TO
HELP EDUCATION
P. S. du Pont, G. B. Miller
and ]. H. Odell Ask for
Cooperation
LATTER SAYS co lE
is NOT EXPERIMENT


ing this morning. Following the meet
ing the members and guests were tn-
tertained at luncheon in the Grill room
Of the Hotel dupont.
John :. Rossell, state chairman, pre-
sided, and at the opening OF the ses-
sion spoke as follows:
Il believe there is a great public
duty devolving upon the bankers Of the
state in respect 10 all the important
questions now before the people, and
my hope is that the bankers will fully
realize this and will cooperate ac-
lively in every movement for the pro-
motion Of the public welfare.
There is certainly no question so
full Of vital meaning to the state as
that Of education. Permit me to say
frankly that 10 is very much 10 the dis
credit Of Delaware that she stands 30
low in the average on this matter Of
such far-reaching Importance to Ter
people. and that 10 is one Of the high
est duties Of our citizenship 10 arouse
ourselves 10 the greatest EFFORT 10
change these conditions, and 10 put
our State in the front rank. both IN
primary and higher education.
Il believe that economy and thrift
snd savings among our people are sec
ond in Importance 10 education We
are struggling for better things, and
during The period Of reconstruction
upon which we are now entering. 1t be-
hooves us all 10 put forth our very best
efforts TO produce everything that brain
and Drawn are capable Of, and then by
living economically and conserving the
products Of our labor. 40 add 10 our
individual wealth, and 10 the wealth
Of the nation. Therein lie great pos
sibilities for our country, AMI in the
fulnllment Of the worlds mission. m
which we must take an active part, all
these things will prove Of the greatest
help
u therefore call together today he
bankers committees on education and
thrift and savings. that we may take
counsel of one another; that we may
receive the sound advice of leaders in
these great undertakings IN our State,
and that we may prepare the way for
fnal action by our state association
at its forthcoming annual meeting"
Alfred H. Curtis was elected slate
chairman Of the association and Fred
erick r. stone, chairman Of the thrift
and savings committee, after which
Pierre s. dupont a member Of the
State Board Of Education was intro
duced and spoke on the state school
system and brought special emphasis
20 bear upon the deplorable fact that
Delaware stood thirty-third In point Of
education among the states Of the
Union. He said that while the state Is
ipparentlv hopelessly behind in point
n education with a little help on the
part of the bankers the system could
se brought 10 a point where Delswar-
sans could feel proud Of their school
system. rather than point with regret
% the fact that the state is so far be-
lind less fortunate states in the union
han is Delaware
Mr. duPs.t urged uniformity ss one
y the essential requirements for a
modern school system and that CO
operation might be The object Of every
tne present in bringing the school sys-
em up 10 that maintained by other
states.
School surveys and consolidation of
country schools were necessary. he
hought. He expressed the belief that
sefore the FIRST Of the year the state
through right methods would have ad-
RANGED The. schools. He spoke of the
large sums Of money needed for school
work and how it might he raised-by
BOND issues
"Our schools are nifty years behind
ne times" Mr.. dupont said and urged
he help Of those present that we might
rive the school children a better and
more comprehensive school system.
Mr. dupont was followed by George
3. Miller, president Of the state Board
y Education. who stated that he was
m accord with all that Mr.. dupont had
said and urged cooperation. He also
spoke Of the public school system un-
der the advanced methods now in con-
temptation and said that he believed
the bankers Of the state could be OF
immeasurable help in securing the ne
cessary funds. This obtained he as
sured them the State Board Of Educa-
lion would show them results.
Or. Joseph II. Odell, Director-General
Of the Service Citizens Of Delaware,
said in part:
Two or three things ought 10 be
pressed sharply upon the conscious
less Of Delawareans
First-This State stands thirty-third
among the States Of the union in the
matter OF education. The position Is
one Of which no one may be proud.
but this is no time for lamenHtlon or
blame. Our mistakes can be reotiiied'
we cen Jump from the thirty-third
place 10 the first. and that without any
tremendous sacrifice.
..Second-The fact " importance Is
mat our new school code Is not an eX-
neriment. IL is based upon the best
working factors Of educational systems
in other states. II It is put into prac-
lice IL will produce beneficial results
in a short time.
"Third-Everyihing that pertains to
education ought 20 be outside OF tle
rivalries and animosities Of party poll
lies. Any partisans who tries to advance
his own party interests at the expense
If the thousands Of children IN the
state. should be branded by the general
public as a criminal and a traitor.
"Fourth-A defective educational sys-
icm in Delaware means a tremendous
economic loss TO The State in the future
because the children who are IN the
schools today and in the years to come
will have to compete against those OF
neighboring States where the educa-
iional systems give the citizens a much
better equipment for success in life.
"Fifth-ln spite Of the new code and
p. : duPonts school building fund,
Delaware can make no advance in edu-
cation worth mentioning unless the
leading citizens Of each community
create an atmosphere Of confidence in
our educational processes"
L..