Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-24

CUPREME faith and great optimism
Ofor the future of American colleges is
DR.. Edgar Fahs Smiths final word as
provost of the University of Pennsyl
vania.
The distinguished educator, seemingly
as busy us ever in his Office in the
Chemical Laboratory Building, yet al
ready serene in his freedom from the
cares of his arduous Office, talked quiet
ly and freely on the subject he knows SO
well-education.
His optimism extends farther than
the matter of colleges and universities.
He prophesied happily concerning edu'-
cation as a great factor in America s
future. He pictured education as a
stanch ship, under full sail, now beat
ing through heavy seas, but always
pressing steadily on, and bound to reach
quieter waters, and her destination a
newer, broader and more perfect ideal,
now only promise and hope.
No Fear for Future
"If she will keep steady keel" he
said, land if those interested in her will
not let themselves be dissuadcd from the
VI lhtli 'hSh' wv navy
no reason to fear for the future
The retiring provost predicted a
steady increase in college cnrollments,
but he declared that that increase would
not be as large in the future as 1t has
been for the last few years.
1.-The war has been responsible for
the recent leaps and bounds in attend
ance at universities" said the provost.
''That same war has set the world to
wondering and marveling at the eff
cheney Of some peOple-yes, Of the Ger
mans, in particular, who accomplished
go much by specialized training. 1t is
being realized that education con-
tributed very largely to that efficiency.
People who have never heretofore
taken any interest in higher education
have been attracted to 1t. Many who
never had money enough to purchase 1t
have suddenly found that money in their
rockets, They have spent their war
sons an education, and they have been
satisfied.
'It is a mistake to think that this
olass will lose their suddenly aroused
interest in institutions Of higher learn
ing, These groups of people will always
| in the future be n source of plentiful
supply for the colleges Of America.
Sees College Expansion
To take care of the ever Increasing
enrolment, Doctor Smith predicted a
proportional enlargement and expan-
sion of colleges already established
rather than the creation OF new insti-
tutions. State universities and pri-
yately endowed colleges, as well as
those of denominational character,
will be those which will expand to
meet the demands =,
"The question OF financial support, v
the proyost admitted, will continue TO
% he the most vital obstacle, but / feel
sure that people will wake up to the
necessity of paying for their educa
tionaI advantages. The West should
serve as our model, both in the matter
Of public education and the establish
ment of large state run universities
Asked why it was that the West has
been more willing to loosen its purse
strings for this purpose, Doctor Smith
"I think it is u fact that in the East
here we have u condition, not exactly
tbe class system OF Europe, but more o.
less approximating it. There is t large
group SO wealthy, and whose father'
and grandfathers before them were, Sc
wealthy, that the matter Of worrying
over educational privileges is unknown
to them.
People on One Plane
"In the West 1t is different. In tn
mast. at any rate, people have beei
more nearly on one plane. Education
has been common problem, and ever
man, in planning for his own SON
education. has naturally been intereste,
in that Of his neighbors' children, Tn
result mas been that every one has becl
anxious 10 rohtributr TO education.
~ Another factor xShat has helped th