Evening star., 1921-12-17
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
TOLD HOW TO BENEFIT SCHOOLS
Thomas E. Finegan, Superintendent of In
struction in Pennsylvania, Urges Prompt
Z - ..
and Ample Provision for Education.

Immediate construction of school
buildings here regardless of cost
should be provided for by Congress.
Thomas E. Finegan. superintendent
of instruction of the state of Penn
sylvania, told the congressional joint
committee investigating the local
school situation. He told the com
mittee that If they didn't provide the
necessary buildings now. they would
rob the children of the right to an
education. He opposed in no uncer-
tain terms any school surveys In the
District by outsiders. saying that If
O survey was needed 1t should be
made by the local school officials,
1.-THE question Of education Is a
vital one" he said. 'It Is serious to
the boys and girls who must soon go
out into the world 1t Is entirety
different from other internal I'M
provements, and cannet be put OH for
reasons of economy as they can.
Boys and girls do not walt i'll their
growth.
You congressmen. representing
both the taxpayers and the chiiofen'
have no right to rob them OF the
opportunity for an education, for they
are the future citizens. If you DO not
provide facilities now you are ron
bing them. and the responsibility IS
yours"
He told the committee that al
though building costs were lower
than last year, there was nothing TO
indicate that there would be reduc-
ton in the next few years. thliareh
now are not getting proper educa-
tion. Part time at the schoois ne
a q
the size of a class that could be
taught efficiently as twenty pupils.
The matter of costs should not enter
into the question in any way.
Many Constructive Suggestions.
Superintendent Finegan talked to
the committee for two hours, an
swered the questions fully and frank
ly and gave many constructive suS-
gestions, Offering to send here eN-
perts from his department. who dealt
directly with building plans, the cur
riculum. etc. Here are some or the
things he told the committee In Il
direct way:
School surveys made by outsiders
do more harm than good.
He would rather discuss around the
table the school situation with lay
men than to get two-thirds or the
skilled technicians in the field.
The committee should pc aoie 10 TO
schools here all the information 1t
needed on which to act.
The schools should have a research
bureau. If they didn't have it now
it was the fault of Congress.
The superintendent of schools here
should be able to get the necessary
data, and if he cannot there Is some
thing wrong.
very best way for them to satisfy
themselves is to go out and see .ne
schools in action, and he added that
they should not forget to take with
them those who handle the purse
strings.
should be established here. This is
the six years elementary schoohns;
three years junior high school anu
three years senior high school.
He opposed the platoon system tor
the reason that 1t had not been .thor-
oughly tested.
He characterized as crime plans
to put up school oulloings Ml.moue ue
Fairgrounds, saying Fairgrounds were
necessary for the moral development
of the children.
Election of the board of education
by the people or appointment by the
President was urged. Appointment
tory. he said. because they are not
close enough to the people. -
He opposed compensated board OF
education as most vicious.
The school officials must be given
plenty of authority. and full conn,
dence should be put in them hen .ssin ana
responsibility.
Washington is no place for an
agricultural college, such as proposed
by Secretary Davis. Such institutions
belong in the agricultural regions, he
said.
Teachers salaries should have a
definite basis, with yearly increments
based on achievements during the
year in the schoolroom, and not a
yearly increase as matter OF
longevity.
The school officials should lay out a
definite program. as they know the
situation as to buildings, etc.
Ideal Place for Model System.
Mr.. Finnegan told the committeeman
that if they carried out the plans
they were working on. they will have
rendered the very best service to
America. Washington is the ideal
place for model system. he went on,
and the committee, if it follows the
lead 1t has taken, will set the pace
for the entire country, educators will
come here from all parts of the coun-
try. look the plant over and copy it.
Education. he said. is SO close to the
people that the board and school Off
cialS must be kept close to them. and
that is not so when the boards are
appointed by judges. He would have
an election. or at least appointments
by the President.
School buildings. he said. under
modern system should have from
sixteen to thirty rooms, and for
Washington he advocated buildings
not more than three stories high.
The superintendent of the schools
could furnish the data as to the area
each should cover. 1t cannot be done
on a standardized basis, but must be
based on the school population in the
areas being considered. he said.