The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-17
A SQUARE DEAL.


than 5000, 900 foreign-born in our country, but
of the many native-born il matter of vital inn
portance. A government of the people and by
the people, made up of people from every land,
must necessarily be determined by the character
of its composite citizenship. Therefore, the well
fare and perpetuity Of cur nation demand that
all possible encouragement be given to the states
in the development of citizenship physically
and intellectually sound, and imbued with the
spirit and ideals of true To 2ieri
only can our republic be made safe, efficient and
enduring.
To meet these urgent demands, constructive
legislation is needed to encourage and strengthen
public education IN the states. AS the teacher is
of first Importance in every educational under
taking, we must make provision for more COM
petent, well trained teachers. But to obtain and
keep good, experienced teachers it is evident that
adequate salaries must be paid. The bureau of
education reports that the average salary paid
teachers in this country il 1918 was $630.64,
which is $243 less per annum than the average
wage paid to scrubwomen in the United States
navy yard. Is there any wonder that results are
not always satisfactory? Inefficient schools are
almost invariably the result of inadequate sup
port. Low salaries are driving many good teach
ers out of the profession and filling the ranks
with the immature, inexperienced and unframed.
OF the 100000 teachers in America, 100000 are
less than 20 years old; 10000 have served two
years or less; 10000 have had no education be-
yond the eighth grade; 100000 have had less
than high school education. The government
should investigate this great problem so vital to
the welfare of the more than 22,000.000 children
of America, and give aid and encouragement to
the states in its solution Our government has
been accused of giving more thought to agricul-
ture and commerce than to education; more at
tention to live stock than to children. The gov
eminent should give no less attention to those
highly important agencies, bu more to educa-
tion.
The promotion of social justice and the gem
eral welfare demands the equalization of educa-
tional opportunities throughout the. country. We
sometimes boast that this is a land of equal OPP
portunity, and yet we know that all the children
of America do not have an equal chance for an
education The heaviest burdens often fall upon
those least able to bear them. Every American.
however fortunate his condition. should be deep
ly concerned in the fact that we have in our
country 1,534O00 native-born whites, 1927, 900
colored and 1,650, 900 foreign-born who cannot
read and write. Where are these found? Prin-
cipally in the congested cities of the north and
in the remote districts of the south where educa-
tional advantages are poorest, and where they
should be best. The light must be turned on in
these dark places. We have spent billions of
wealth and thousands of lives to uphold our
ideals of liberty and justice, nor have we caviled
over who was paying most. Shall we, as ma
ton, begrudge few hundred millions that every
child in America, whether born in the crowded
city or in the sparsely settled rural district shall
have the advantage of good common school
education? This is simply guaranteeing equal
rights and square deal to all.