Evening journal., 1919-11-01

nifty OF our past Better training must
be given TO those boys and girls who
are unable TO continue their studies
through a college course. They are TO
make up the rank and file Of our fu-
ture citizenship.
THE new ideas Of education. training
along the lines most useful TO future
irrespective environment, are highly
gratifying. The work OF our state
Board OF Education is most commend
able. Their proposals as published in
our newspapers should receive our al
tention and serious thought But our
standards will never be raised. nor our
system materially improved until the
rural school teacher gets a salary ap-
preaching. at least, the dignity OF the
work in which she or he is engaged.
with the teachers wage not equal
30 that Of common labor we cannot cN-
pcct those i'm charge Of the work TO
make the improvements we desire. No
man who has given thought TO this dare
pretend defence. The demands on the
citizen OF tomorrow will be greater
than those on us today. 70 behO0ves
US 90 make sure that our sons and
daughters are equipped TO cope with
their generation. Better teachers with
salary in keeping with their calling.
better buildings. practically cOnsOlida-
lion, sanitation, ventilation, are demands
on our attention.
Way for supreme Duty.
with these as accomplished facts We
shall see the social centre OF every com
munity at the public school There
breathes the spirit OF American instilu-
tiOns. There i'm training is the citizen OF
tomorrow who viii tlll your place here
today and mine
81 have no intention 10 dictate the
ways and means but merely 10 point TO
this supreme duty. | am sure the State
board will submit interesting data upon
which TO effect legislation"
With the authority OF the Legisla-
ture Governor Townsend named five men
members OF commission to study the
conditions OF the schools and make
in order to "revise the
old school laws, 10 develop an education
system suited TO the conditions exist
ing in the state, providing for an i'm
proved and efficient administration Of
all free school matters and the train
ing Of competent teaching force"
The members of this commission
were Caleb +. Burchenal, John :. Mul-
lin. Frank l.. Grler. Joseph Frazier and
Henry p. Scott. They soon found the
task imposed TO be quite beyond their
powers. 10 was apparent 10 them that
the school system OF their State had
sunk 20 low that IL would take the very
best experts Of the country TO bring ii
up 10 date.
These commissioners set out 10 look
for such expert aid and finally obtained
the services OF DR.. Abraham FleXner and
Dr. Frank p. Bachman, both OF the
General Education Board Of New York
state.
Doctors Flexner and Bachman after a
thorough Investigation made a report
which was accompanied by plan for a
new school system.
This plan in turn went from the COM
mission TO the Legislature and became
last winter the New School Code"
Only a few changes were made in it
and these were necessary to prevent
10 from conflicting with certain pecul-
lar old laws.
The new law was set forth in printed
booklet Of ninety-two pages, while the
old law had filled an enormous volume.
The new law was so expressed ss to be
easy Of Interpretation. The old law
dated from 1896, with amendments upon
and contradictory and in
consistent chapters.
Tax Increase Starts Fight.
At the time OF its passage in the Leg
islature there was little or no oppOsi-
tion to this law. Antagonism began to
appear after 10 went into effect last
June. when landowners saw that 1t
would slightly increase their taxes.
Many OF them would have been perfect
" content II the up to date schools
could be run at as low a cost as the old
fashioned barns that had been in use.
When they found that this could not be
done they wanted the old system back.
one wealthy landowner, who had sent
his own children out OF .de State for
their education complained that now he
was wanted TO pay for the schooling OF
other folks young Ones. The argu-
ment that teachers should be paid more
than a dollar a day did not appeal to
This class at all. And when 10 came to
tearing down the rotten, musty, unsan-
itarv old frame buildings that had been
used as school houses another cry went
up.
Just think Of IT." one citizen howled,
there's a school house what's been IN
lhis place near hundred years and
they want to tear it down. Just think
OF il: they'd tear down my dear old
school"
Others said that II The old schools had
been good enough for all OF their an
,estors since colonial days, and also
GOOD enough for them; they must he
good enough for their descendants. Any
move against one OF these antiquated
structures was view as sacrilege.
New school books were viewed with
listrust lest they might inoculatc The
Young with a desire TO leave the
'arm." And the storm OF criticism SAID.
ideas ain't good for young folks;
hey only make them foolish and sassy.
II they read about them big cities they'll
want TO go there and ihere'll be no
holding them.'
To appreciate the influence such talk
las had upon the state, one must know
hat almost all Of Delaware is made
lp OF farm lands. The city Of Whining
on is the one and only industrial cen
er. This is because Of its geographical
Ocation which puts it In close touch
With Philadelphia. Lying on a railroad
Inc which connects New York and
and with the Delaware
liver opening it TO ocean trade, 1t has
)utgrown the rest Of the State.
Part of state Isolated.
But five miles below Wilmington the
rayeler passes into the agricultural