Milford chronicle., 1919-12-12
FARM DISTRICTS WILL
HAVE EVENING CLASSES
IN BEHALF OF DELAWARE'S MOST I'M
PORTANT GROWING CROP-HER
BOYS AND GIRLS.

A system of rural evening classes
and trade and vocational courses for
employed men and boys Of the small
towns and farming districts OF Del
aware is projected for 1920. The plan
also eontemplates provision for teach
ing English to and Americanizing for
eigners in rural districts of the State
by volunteer leaders.
The unusual feature of the plan. as
announced by George L. Goodwin. In
terstate Y. NJ. C. A. secretary. is that
| this educational work in rural sections
does not call upon county or town
snip boards for any appropriation
irom the tax funds, but it is support
ed by voluntary local subscriptions.
In fact, beyond the cost of ~" super
vision to be borne by local contribu-
ton, there will be no direct expense
as the classes would be taught by eff
cient volunteers and would utilize ex-
lsting buildings, such as churches.
school houses, garages, barns, ma
chine shops or vacant property avail
able for community use on certain
evenings.
The plan to give the country men
and boys OF the farms and Industrial
and other workers in the small towns
OF Delaware a chance to remain al
home and yet have the benefit of night
schooling is one that already has been
thoroughly tested out by the ''Y" In
many farming and industrial counties
IN all parts of the United States 1"
SAID Mr.. Goodwin. 1T is the plan
which Talbot County on the Eastern
snort OF Maryland is now operating
as an effective measure to keen its
young people in local industry. Most
OF these townships are unable from
their tax rate to supplv evening
SCHOOLS as part Of their free school
system ana as result ambitious
young men and boys are hocking to
the cities, attracted not so much bv
wages as by the opportunities for af-
terWork amusements, schooling and
training offered by the great centers
The Rural and Industrial Y. NJ.
I. A. finally was called upon to sug-
gest a solution. The districts ana
many individual counties agreed to
support a rural ~" secretary if he
could aid them in lessening this hem
orrhage Of young manhood. These
secretaries in more than $50 counties
nave found that in almost every COM
munity there is some resident able
and glad to conduct free night classes
Ior ambitious men as well as to lead
the social, physical and religious ac-
tlVltles OF the County "Y'' program
Just as progressive farmers are de-
llghted to lead local farm institutes.
so local bankers are delighted to CON
duct classes in bookkeeping and bank
ing for farmers and others: college
graduates volunteer to help meet local
demand for English or scientific train
ing, while local automobile experts
electricians, architects, engineers or
mechanical experts find pleasure in
passing on technical knowledge or
Skill As result, in many small
communities on certain evenings
otherwise idle halls or Sunday school
rooms are filed with earnest classes
OF young men, many from distant
farms anxious to improve themselves.
Many towns which have factories en-
ploying foreigners operate classes in
English and AmericanizatiOn design
ed to help those cut off by language
TO get ahead and become permanent
and useful local citizens. These
classes are specially popular with the
lonely foreign farm hand. misuuder-
stood and unable to get into friendly
touch with those about him because
he cannot read, write or talk United
States.
To establish such vocational and I
work, it is necessary to /
bring supply and demand together. It [
IS the business Of the "Y" County sec
'etary to discover the educational
needs of each section, organize the
study groups and then discover and I
rain some competent volunteer who 4
IS willing to give some OF his time for
betterment. Such work
Of course is in no sense in competition
With local school, church or other eff
ort. 1t is closely cOOrdinated with
'thers local agencies and is particu-
arly directed to the service Of those
whom because of working hours, are
'arred from attendance at the day
choOls.
ITO develop this plan, the Interstate
W will at once appoint a general
itate committee and local committees
n every county and neighborhood to
resent the proposition to the people.
NE matter will be brought, as it were.
o popular vote during the week of
'ebruary 18th to oath, when the peo-
lie of each county will decide whether
hey can afford not to give these ad-
antages to their young citizens"
We pay taxes 70 support our Extsn.
lon work LET'S get the most out q T. .
trough group cooperation with our Coun