The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-18

titude of mind developed under mill
tary discipline is perhaps best ex-
pressed by the men themselves in
three little words, pass the buck 1t
was not men with information only,
however important that was, but men
with independence of spirit and highly
developed qualities of leadership who
were eagerly sought to take the posi-
tons of great responsibility in the con-
duct of the war. I believe that one
of the greatest lessons we may draw
from the experience with the S. A. T.
G. is that the college people should
work out a definition of the end in
view in college training in clear
derstand."
Doctor Kelly contrasted the eager
attitude of the S. a. T. C. boys before
the armistice was signed. with their
lazy, indifferent, irresponsible conduct
after the armistice was signed. They
accomplished big tasks. school work
that seemed almost impossible. when
there seemed to be a chance for them
to get to go over there or to become
offlcers. But just as soon as the Ger
mans quit, the boys of the S. A. T c.
laid down. lost all interest. Doctor
Kelly sees in this example of what
definite aims will do a great sermon
for educators. He also sees a reveIa-
ton of increased usefulness in the COL
lege5 in the way the colleges adapted
o. a l.
briefest of time for preparation. AS
for the shortcomings ofNthe s. A. T. c.,
he said they should be forgotten be-
cause the S. A. T. C. didn't have a full
and fair trial.
Learn From the s. \. T. c.
The S. A. 7. C. subject was handled
by Dean A. A. Potter, of the state
Agricultural college. at a meeting of
high school principals this morning
RI
system, but pointed out that the
schools might learn from the plan
the idea of education fitted to the in
dividual. "No boys could enter the
s. A. T. c. unless they showed a. par
ticular fitness for it. 1t is unwise, as
the government found out, to place
any education and training upon a
dead level with all students compelled
to conform to one plan, without con-
sideration of any special adaptibility.
The superintendents of city schools
of the third class entered lively con-
test at the First Congregational
church on the proper ways of teach
ing English, the progressive element
OF the meeting insisting upon the
teaching of new American, and par
ticularly western literature. and the
conservative side standing out for the
old classics, and designating the newer
ideas as a degeneration to the level of
the dime novel.
Urges Credits for Soldiers.
S. E. Price. president of ottawa uni
Versity, addressed the college admins
traitors at the Baptist church, present
ing the idea that Kansas colleges
should give scholastic credit to re-
turned soldiers for mathematics and
French learned in the army, and ask
ing that the soldiers be encouraged to
go to college by financial inducements,
1ata f-Aa frIif 10 ro1n nj len
the teaching of political science from
the international standpoint.
Miss Ethel Shay, of Emporia, speak
ing before the music supervisors, urges
that the practice of giving credits in
high school for private music study,
should be widespread, and Misses Cath
, crime Strousse, at the same meeting,
protested against the practice of giving
to the music supervisors the added du-
ties of teaching Latin or English.
Dean Kelley, in addition to his adj
dress on the s. A. T. c., presented to
Il group of educators this morning a
plan by which the public and the pri-
yate schools can cooperate in giving
| a two-year course of higher education
! for students who cannot take the four
years university work, but who might
! be able to attend college for two years
if he could then have a completed
course with credentials that would
show him prepared for some special
| lied work that did not require the
mastery of the higher branches.
| For Revolutionary Changes.
| Changes almost revolutionary in
/ character are to be introduced into the
| teaching profession in Kansas, is indi-
Gated by the addresses made at the
! meeting Friday night of the council
! of administration. Physical education
of a more effective sort than has ever
been in use before is one of the inno-
vations sought. The teaching of cit
: izenship as a study of first Importance
is another part of the plan of the
council of administration.
Thomas w. Butcher, president OF
the Emporia State Normal school, as
serted that good citizenship teaching
would have to go farther than it ever
has before, that citizenship should
| mean more than being able to make a
living and to votei ntelligently. at
must be taught to the children" he
said. "as meaning a Willingness to give
up everything one has in the world
for the perpetuation of the ideals OF
liberty and democracy.
d. NJ. Bowen of the State Manual
Training normal. spoke on behalf OF
physical education that should be
more than the sports now provided fol
school children, and he insisted also
that the ideals of the nation would
have to be taught to the children a.
thoroly as Germany had instructed heI
youth in her ideals.
Hits Autocratic Teachers.
All the speakers agreedthat autoc-
racy on the part of the teacher was
doomed to destruction with many 9th
err old-fashioned and old-world ideas
THE teacher who tries to impose hel
absolute will upon the child belongs
in Prussia" was the sentiment of the
speakers.
A third poin emphasized at the
meeting was the increased importance
of vocational training, and the impOr.
lance also of conserving the health
of students and teachers.
The general subject discussed at las
nights program was Changes il
school program and organization as 6
result of the war" DIR. Butcher, w
A. Bailey, of Kansas City high school
d. NJ. Bowen, of the State Manua
| Era N irac. cnllaRa IL