The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1919-11-20
SCHOOL DRIVE =
IS CALLED OFF
BAD WEATHER FORCES sUSPEN.
SION OF THE RURAL BETTER
MENT CAMPAIGN
PROF. ARTHUR CHAMBERLAIN WRITES
An Interesting Article on Conditions
American Industrial Life Offers
Every Opportunity.

The almost unprecedented severe
weather, over the greater portion of
the state, has forced Fred L. Shaw,
state superintendent of public instruc-
ton, to call off the statewide drive
for the betterment of rural schools.
Fully two weeks remained to COM
plete the drive and work will be re,
sumed in the spring as soon as the
roads become passable.
Superintendent Shaw expressed re-
gret that the drive was terminated be-
fore completion but said he could no
longer ask the workers to face al
most impossible conditions in this
weather. I'VE are tremendously
pleased with the results thus far at
tained,' he said, "and it has been
more than worth while"
In connection with this drive the
Register has been asked to publish
an article from the pen of Prof
Arthur H. Chamberlain of Pasadena,
Cal. Prof. Chamberlain, editor of the
Sierra Educational News, executive
secretary of the California Council of
Education, and who spent some
months with the American Expedi-
tionary Forces as Chief of Occupa-
tional Direction of the Army Educa-
tional Corps was sent to this state
to participate in the campaign and has
been doing effective work.
His article is entitled From Sol
"The question was constantly asked
by members of the A. z. F. wherever
we met them throughout France,
What are the conditions in America? :?
or Is months or more had received
no information save that given in
Paris editions of certain American
newspapers. Or perhaps an occasion
al London paper or much-delayed
American daily had drifted their way
Most of the men who asked this
question hardly knew what to believe.
The American soldier had presented
extremes. Some Of his informants in
the States were never so bad as now
They pictured the difficulty the return
ing man would have in securing job
They had emphasis upon the high cost
of living; the fact that salaries were
excessively high and must come down;
that the old job would not be relin-
Quished to the soldier on his return;
and they invariably forecast revolu-
tion brought on by the impending con-
f1ict between capital and labor. Other
men painted in glowing terms the Won
derful future of America. They showed
that with the phenomenal growth just
ahead of us that every returning sol
dier had awaiting him a better job
than he ever had before. Wages were
to be increased; hours to be short
ened, drudgery to be dignified
Between these two possibilities the
men hung, first in despair and again
in ecstasy. Some saw as the outgrowth
of the irst condition calamity and dis
aster just ahead. Others fully expect
ed that in some mysterious manner
they. as a reward for work we'll done
in Europe, were to return to a life
of comparative ease, made possible by
high wages, improved positions and
the openhandedness of those who had
remained at home. All of this result
ed in wrong points of view. Many
men became downcast, morose, sullen,
pessimistic, discouraged. They saw
ahead of them impending disaster and
defeat of ambition. Some openly de-
clared themselves ready to strike
hands with any organization of Boil
shevik tendencies. Others again per-
mitted themselves to relax. Some even
went so far as to assure their fellows
that their loss in time and financial
return. and their sacrifices of home
and creature comforts, were sufficient
guarantee for a life of comparative
ease in the future.
Extreme statements of whatever
nature are most dangerous. Poise
and balance, so essential to the men
over there, is fully as necessary to
those who once more strike out into
the channels of everyday existence.
They must realize that it is impossi-
Bile to remove from the industries,
the shops, the fields and factories
the world of commerce. the profes.
sions, 100000 men without setting
the structure a-tremble. The wonder
is that greater rather than less up
heaval did not result. That our eco
nomic and industrial life continued
to function during the war period in
so nearly a normal fashion was owing
to the practically united purpose and
patriotism of the entire American
people; the eagerness of our women
to assume positions before occupied
nv men only: and the enthusiasm