The Penn's Grove record., 1920-10-29
N. ]. ATTENDANCE
BUREAU NEEDED
Com. Kendall Advocates Creation
of Attendance Bureau to En-
force Compulsory Education.
THE PUBLIC UTILITY SNARL.
Voters Likely to Draw Wrong Infer
ence on Bonding Proposition, Elec-
ton Day-Funds for Road
Building Inadequate.


Trenton.-With school houses val
ued at more than $4,000, 900, a school
system that is costing over $50, 100000
and employing $4,000 teachers, the
schools are in session from 10 to $50
days In the year, the average attend
ance is SO per cent and the average
pupil is in school about 40 days in
the year for five aud one-half hours
each day. These figures are from q re-
cent report of Commissioner Kendall,
who asks that an attendance bureau be
created to enforce the compulsory ed
ucatiOn law as it should be enforced
in New Jersey.
The state is not getting the results
that should be obtained from such Il
great investment and under "a thor
ough and efficient system of free pub
lie schools" which the Legislature is
commanded by the State Constitution
to maintain and support. Lack Of an
agency to enforce the compulsory at
tendance law is but one of the weak
nesses. 1.-THE loss in the efficiency of
the schools due to poor attendance is
greater than that due to poor and in
adequate teaching" in the opinion of
Commissioner Kendall.
If by the expenditure of $4,000 to
-9lo,ooO a year on an attendance bu-
reau the percentage of truancy and
illiteracy can be materially reduced.
the money will be wisely invested in
fDnf NV fha rrortioa 1f H.,
other directions there may be a saw
ing sufficient to more than offset the
estimated cost of the proposed new bu-
eau.
The figures quoted refer only to the
schools for children between the ages
of five and eighteen years. With such
liberality toward them, the state may
well give consideration to the strug-
CLING Woman's College, which now has
nearly 200 students enrolled. New
Jersey is one of Only two or three
states that lack such an institution
properly financed. In these days when
women are taking such a large part
in affairs the State Normal Schools
will not suffice.
For Better Education.
A campaign for better education was
urged by w. j. Beckett, superintendent
of schools of Trenton, at the closing
session of the State Council of Educa-
ton. Mr.. Bickett'S recommendation
was part of the report he presented us
chairman of the councils committee Oh
a constructive educational program. 1t
AmnhlSiZp6 tho ypDnrfnpna ,f tIo 1900,
pie at large taking part in planning
for the schools instead of leaving the
whole matter in the hands of profes-
sional educators.
The committee recommended that
mo definite program of education or
radical changes in our state school
laws be attempted, except in so far as
they are In perfect accord with public
sentiment as it may be interpreted not
only by professional educators of the
state, but by direct expression from
the people of the state" This was fol-
lowed by the proposal of the develop
ment of some type Of organization in
Guiding both.
I'VE must get the people into the
schools" declared Mr.. Beckett. "This
council" he said in conclusion, "has
been the leader in the state along pro-
fessional lines. Will it extend its
sphere of influence to the people who
own the schools and, in connection and
cooperation with all other educational
associations of the state, make a def
mite move to the end that there shall
no longer be a question of the school
and the people?'
Public Utility SnarI.
In refusing a writ of certiorari 10 re-
view the action of Governor Edwards
in removing the public utility commits
sioners Justice Swayze pointed out the
way in which the matter might proper
ly become the subject of judicial in
quiry. The correct method, he said,
was by writ of quo w%arranto, and it
will now be employed by Attorney
General McCran. The members of the
commission will be required to show
by wha warrant they assume to con-
tinue tc function after having been re-
moved from office by the governor act
ing under authority seemingly confer
red upon him by the statute from
which the commission derives its pow
err. By this process there will be no
conflict between the executive and the
judicial departments of the govern
ment as there wound nave been had
the writ of certiorari been granted
The only matter for the court to decide
in the quo warranto proceedings is
whether or not the governor acted
within the scope of his authority.
There has been some criticism of the
senate for it's refusal to confirm the
governors new appointees. Fair mind
ed men must admit that the enate
acted wisely. AS long as there is any
question as to tho legality of the gov
ernor's action it would be injudicious
to confirm his nominations. thus set
ting up rival utility commissions. each
oto;,,;pp to ho tbo only lnOal hon rd and