Pueblo chieftain., 1921-07-10
BY Frederic j. Haskin.

Washington. D. c., July THE
United States must spend about sic
times as much as it does now for
education before we can hope to make
the schools satisfactory and provide
for our children the education neces-
sary for good citizenship, for democ-
racy and for industrial efficiency.
This statement is based upon recent
studies made by the Bureau of Educa-
ton, which show that the United
States does not begin to use propor-
tionate part of the national income for
educational purposes, and the results
obtained from such meager funds as
have been grudgingly appropriated oy
the different states emphasize liat
fact. Another recent report issued ny
the committee on education or the
house of representatives. shows that
the United States ranks about ninth
among civilized nations in illiteracy.
This statement Is based upon average
figures and facilities.
In the United States the percentage
of illiteracy is ~ for the total popuia
ton, over 10 years of ngc, and per
cent for the native white population.
In Denmark. Germany, Holland,
Sweden, Switzerland, and the United
Kingdom the percentage OF illiteracy
is lower than that for the native
white population of the United states.
The Bureau of the Census states that
this list should probably include Nor
way. although no figures are availap'e
for that country. There is also iess
illiteracy in Australia than IN lne
United states. In Bulgaria, Greece
Hungary. Italy. Portugal, Roumania'
Russia. Servia, Spain and non-Euro
pean countries other than Australia,
the percentage of illiteracy averages
much higher than the United Ststes,
extending from 80 to 20 per cent of the
population.
The Average Cost
Tho total wealth Of the United
States is $500. 600. 900. 900. and the an
maui income about sIA,Oco, 600, ,oo" Inc
statistical division of the Bureau a oa
Education says that only S,sS,o.si,Y,,
ig spent each year for the education
of Young America. The average tota'
paid by the United States for IL years
of child's educa catiosl-oducatinS Tue
pupil from the age of years TO nor
NAL graduation from high schoo'
when 10 years oldLis 70. me ,om "ach
average paid for the education OF eaSn
Individual by a state Is sss. and the
highest Is Montana. which pays almost
exactly 10 times the amount pnid ny
those giving the least. which are
Mississippi and Alabama. Massa, ls,a.
Cnhsetts. wv
only $500. With the exception OF the
District of Columbia. the far western
states lead in generosity alonS tnis
| line.
In this country where sc hl'thely Sc-
knowledge that all things oepenu upon
education. We spend o''y an aVeias
of 8, ,oaa. ess per day for the purpose o.
educating more than 1000 .ooS boys ana
girls between tho ages OF and ~.
Including children of kinderEa IN ~
laEe there arc more than S"'Wp'o.'
children In this country to be educat
cd This means an expenditure w
about seven cents per day for the edu-
cation Of each individual child ahoNe
six years Of age. Moorever, 1t mas
been shown by the bureau OF educa
tion that the average Individual IN
the United States gets only about sN
years Of schooling. ,,,,
The Army mental tests proved M
toracy to he common in IN" 'nl.eu
States among wage-earninS nduI,s.
and the extensive popularity OF the
educational courses offered 10 men
cnIistiug In the Army, navy hnu
Marine Corps proved by their power
as a drawing card, that CROWNS
need is felt for moro education.
IT has bcen stated by the war Dc
psrtment that nearly 30 per cent oil
those who enlisted stated that tncy
desired to enlist so as to get the cnu-
cntional advantages offered ny the
service. Similar in popularity are the
courses offered by the Marine corps
Institute. and the privileges Of special,
lied education along certain trade and