The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-07-12
| Does 1t Apply =, w..
| to Our Town,
w" This QUESTIONABLE?

among ner nlgn ScnOOl students IN
an endeavor to find out What is the
matter with Oelwein?" What they
found is of interest, because it re-
fleets not only what the younger
generation wants, but also because it
covers so varied a number of activi-
ties and so many constructive sug-
| gestions.
| Perhaps many of these boys and
girls will change their minds later
on. The writer recalls that at the
time he was in high school he would
have voted, civil engineer" He
has never realized that ambition.
The entire report IF what Oelwein
found to be in the minds of the high
school students follows. After you
have read it, check UP your own
town just to find out where you
stand. These boys and girls are
the men and women of the imme-
date future and are to be reck-
oned with.
| Does your town meet the require
ments of the next generation to take
charge? If not, what are you doing
about it? One of the main reasons
for the existence of good local news
papers is their aid in the upbuild-
ing of a community. Surely oppor-
tunities suggest themselves when one
considers the facts this Investigation
brought out.
The following article is taken from
the Oelwein lowan:
A careful analysis of the Ques-
tionaire filled in by the high school
students relative to the work of the
new chamber of commerce reveals
the startling fact that Al per cent
of the boys and s per cent Of the
girls do not expect to remain in Gel
vein. In addition to this, II per
cent of the boys and II per cent of
the girls are undecided whether or
not to remain in Oelwein
The business men and the fathers
and mothers, citizens of Oe!wein,
ought to be alarmed by this informa-
ton. 1t leads directly to question,
What is the matter with Oelwein?'
The expensive educational system,
maintained by the citizens of Del
vein is preparing and fitting it's
young people for citizenship in 9TH
er towns. With the migration OF
each student there departs not only
the money invested in educating the
student, but the possibilities inner
ent in each graduate.
Inc main reason given by the stu
dents for their decision to leave Del
vein was lack of opportunity, par
ticularly industrial. Other reasons,
such as the town being dead, lack
ing in improvement and facilities,
and desire to take courses of instruc-
ton not obtainable here, were also
given.
One vital problem confronting the
new board of directors when elected
will be that of devising some plan
to keep Oelwein's young people in
Oelwein. They should be an asset,
not liability.
The city officials, leading citizens
and the chamber of commerce direc-
tors can surely developsomemethod
of making Oelwein place where
their young people will want to re-
main and become good citizens.
1t is interesting to note that de-
spite the fact that the teaching pro-
fession is supposed to be poorly paid,
fifty girls desire to be teachers and
only 20 per cent to become stenogra-
piers.
Nursing, millinery, music and 9th
err professions only claim very small
percentage. The majority of the
boys expect to become either farm
ers, merchants, engineers or me-
chanics.
The questions and answers as
compiled by Fred w. Field of the
American city bureau, one of the
campaign managers, are as follows:
Girls-QuestiOn 1
What vocation do you expect to
pursue?
Commercial designing 1, farming
1, catering /, bookkeeping 2, ply
sician 2, business profession 9, mil
linery 3, music teaching a, nursing
5, undecided s, stenographers 20,
school teaching so. Several con-
sidered teaching special courses, such
as domestic science, English, physi-
cal culture, etc.
2. Do you prefer to remain in
Oelwein? If not, why not?
Yes-43.
Doubtful--13.
No-53.
Town needs more improvements.
More opportunities for positions. Too
much profiteering; courses not OBJ
here. /:
8. What, in your opinion, should
the chamber of commerce undertake
to assist you in preparation for your
life work?
Improve roads 1 superintend the
leisure hours 1, vocational lectures
|, commercial course /, new hospi-
al 1, Fairgrounds 1, improving DEL
vein 1, cooperate with schools l,
Y. M. c. A. 1, Y. w. c. A. 1, gymna-
slim normal training courSe 9 !