The Washington herald., 1920-10-10

taken arm hold. What better example thaa
the recent man meeting in Philsdslphis. The
meeting was q rs6ex Of public sentiment
q wondsrful thing to behold.
Men and women everywhere are becoming
alive to the situation. They innately realize
that education is the basis of our democratic
government, of our free and forward booking
civilization. In order to keep up our schools
we must have the teachers; in order to keep
the teachers from drifting into other fields
we mua pay them q decent wage con-
mensurate with what they could command
In other fields. 1t Ia the ideal upon which
teaching as q profession Is founded, but
ideals do not buy bread and butter. Better
salaries must be paid.
But have no fear on that score. tn.
better salaries are and VIII be paid. But as
to making fortunes In the teaching feld 1t
is not to be done. The best that can be
hoped for is q fair living wage on which a
and adequstely-th,t and no more. Tell
the young man not to 30 into teaching to
make money; as q calling 1t embraces SOME
thing more than that"
Doctor Finessn, while on the economic
phase of the question, brought out the point
that teaching nowadays Ia being put upon a
business basis. 1t is being systemttired
with the idea Of efficiency uppermost in
mind.
What would you think Of a businea mar
who would choose at random a young girl Of
sixteen years and put her at one of the
most important tasks in his once, without
al H.. 81 af
that is exactly what We have been doing.
We have been taking young high -scboO!
sirls-maybe giving them two years at nor
NAL school-snd then turning them loose
in our schools, telling them, Make Of these
children the highest type Of trained Ameri
can citizens 1t can't be done. II teacher
is to turn out 100 per cent perfect
product, she must be 100 per cent perfectly
equipped for her job. 1t is our job today
TO train better and still better teachers.
What would you think Of business men
who paid an employe a measly salary when
that employe was performing the most i'm
portsnt job in the establishment! IL
doesn't work out that way, does It?
For the present we are striving to make
the teacher a finished product. 1t used to
and the pick Of our teachers in the hish
schools or higher institutions Of learning
We took what we could get for the ele-
mentsry schools But that is all wrong. For
the primary or elementary school we must
have as good q teacher as we have in the
high school. The foundation of chsrscJe'
for life Of usefulness is laid in the e!e
mentary school. Why should we not have
the best there? For the future we are soiu-
to have the best, If read the signs of tn
times correctly. Public opinion is beh.Ii
this movement. We shall have teacher.
better equipped and adequately paid, be
cause the people want them
~ thought should be emphasized here
because of the appeal to young people who
might be considering teaching as vocs-
ton.
These things should be kept in mind
he continued, because education as never
before is being placed on a business basis
1t is every whit comparable with law, medi
cine or any other profession. The remuners-
ton is rapidly becoming as attractive and
the rewards for service beyond intrinsic
value"
What of the country school and the
shift in populstion?' / asked, citing the
recent census figures showing the migration
within recent years from farm and villagg
to town and city.
81 believe we have reached the outward
swing of the pendulum in this respect" ws~
his answer. 'It is true that thousands hav..
deserted the farm for the city boarding
house-sttrscted by the possibilities O.
making more money with better opportuni
ties. Social features have been factor in
this situstion-the movies, the theatre. tbc
dance hall and the white lights Young
folks must have a good time and will 60
where they can get it."
In this connection Doctor Finegsn told
how, on q recent vacation into the Adiron
dscks, he had visited the little country schoor
at West Fulton where be first taught moro
than thirty years ago. In his day there wcro
forty or more scholars and two teachers on
the day he visited it this year it had one
teacher and but nine scholars.
But good roads and good schools with
better paid teachers ultimately will have
proved the salvation of the country dis
tricts," was his earnest declaration. Don't
forget the part the motorcsr is playing in
the new scheme Of things. The farmer
economically is king today. BE is getting
the money for his products; he Is happy on
the farm. Good roads are placing him 10
intimate touch with the city,"
EIMHAT essential qualifications should
young person have for teaching"
was my last question.
Love of children and love of teaching. 4"
he affirmed. "Ahsbility, kindpess and above
all patience. / should emphasize patience