The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-12-08
THE ALARM Is GENERAL.

The alarm at the failure OF education to really
educate. Is becoming general Authority after
authority Is Joining bs voice to tho general con-
demnation OF present educational practices.
Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler. president of tho
Columbia university. writes:
ut would he Idle to ignore the fact that
there In widespread dissatisfaction with tho
results OF present day education. . The
mounting cost OF education and Its diverse
competing forms. are increasingly attracting
unfavorabic public attention and increasing
~ arousing sharp public criticism"
That is an indictment indeed. But the doctor
continues:
Man has become an egotist, denying
God and thinking himself his own god, 20
that unrest, dissatisfaction and disorder
have followed. 1t is time to abandon these
new-found iallaclous doct rines and yet back
TO the observance OF everlasting doctrines
and IT liz the duty OF the schools and uni-
versities to lead the way"
II has long been the assumption that what
ever was done In the name OF education was
done well and was to be supported without
murnur' There arc too many signs that cduca-
tion does not satisfactorily educate to Justify
= longer continuance Of this uncritical acauics-
cencc.
Slowly and reluctantly even as yet, educators
ara facing the certain conviction that so
too easy. 1t is being strivcn for as a means
within itself rather than as a means to an end
From the kindergarten to the high school every
effort is to prepare for the university instead OF
to prepare for the practical affairs OF life in
the vicinage OF the schools. =
Mass teaching has aroused a keen dissatis-
faction with menal vocation and aroused a
universal longing for stiff collar and white shirt
professions. In utter disregard OF the tact that
only an exceedingly limited number can find
sustenance In the former, no matter how well
prepared they may be. while the ninety and
nine must find sustenance in the latter.
Time and money is spent in teacng tho dead
languages. art, music and similar subjects to
boys and girls who must step from tho grade
or hirh schools into the arena OF practical at
fairs and derive their sustenance from a trado
or IA clerical position,
II Is wanton waste OF both time and money
There are certain Fundamental subjects which
are vital to tho education of every child whether
his ultimate Is the head OF a collop, or the
steering "hee' OF a motor car. The practical
demand is for more thoroughness in tho t,os,
subjects during the common school period And
II the divine fire exists in the mind and is fanrod
into flame by the studies thus pursuea ,h
higher institutions can be attained as a matter
of individual or parental decision and effor,
after the high school
Another eminent educator who has totn,
the ranks OF the critics OF existing eduoatio,o,
systems Is Prof Arthur Gordon Webster ot
Clark university who divides responsibility for
existing conditions between parents and t,o,,
ties. Some OF the trouble. according to profes.or
Webster. is with fathers and mothers who 40
not insist that their children shall do anv,h,r,
exact.
II Is becoming Increasingly evident that cdu.
cstionai methods in America are to undergo .,
thorough overhaung at the hands Of ,,oso -,
gassd In the great work,