Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-07-20

that this list should probably include Norway,
although no figures are available for that coun-
than in the United States. In Bulgaria., Greece,
Hungary. Italy, Portugal, Roumania, Russia,
Servia Spain and non-European countries other
than Australia. the percentage of illiteracy
averages much higher than in the United States,
extending from SO to 20 per cent. of the popula-
ton.
The Average Cost.
The total wealth of the United States is
$500, 900, 900, 900, and the annual income about
10000 00, 900. The statistical division of the
Bureau Of Education says that only s763,67S,-
0S9 is spent each year for the education of
young America. The average total paid by the
United States for thirteen years of a child's
MISUNDERSTANDING the pupil from the age
of six years to normal graduation from high
school when nineteen years old-is 1852. The
individual by a state is $50, and the highest,
1857. The state paying the highest is Montana,
paid by those giving the least, which are Missis-
sippi and Alabama. Massachusetts,, famous for
culture, gives only $500. With the exception
of the District OF Columbia, the far western
states lead in generosity along this line.
In this country where we blithely acknowledge.
that all things depend upon education. We spend
only an average of $2,092, 26S per day for the
purpose of educating more than 1000, 900 boys
and girls between the ages of six and nineteen.
Including children of kindergarten age, there
are more than 80, 900, 900 children in this coun-
try to be educated. This means an expenditure
of about seven cents per day for the education
Of each individual child above six years of age.
Moreover, 1t has been shown by the Bureau
of Education that the average individual in
thu United States gets only about six years of
The army mental tests proved illiteracy to be
in the United States among wage
adults, and the extensive popularity of
the educational courses offered to men enlisting
in the army, navy and marine corps proved by
their power as a drawing card that a growinGH
is felt for more education.
1t has been stated by the War Department
that nearly fifty per cent. of those who enlisted
stated that they desired to enlist SO as to get
the educational advantages offered by the serv-
ce. Similar in popularity are the courses
Of specialized education along certain
rade and professional lines offered to me in
he navy.
Learning is in Demand.
oldiers, and the increasing demand for such
raining among ex-service men all over the
country, emphasizes the popular desire for a
more complete education. In looking over lists
# particular cases asking such training it is
.ppalling to note the number of incapacitated
nen with families to support. who did not get
'eyond the fourth grade in school.
A man of twenty-one has an average of
years of productive life before him,
he has been so taught and trained as
o enable him to preserve his health and
trength. Former United States Commissioner
f Education P. P. Claxton says that if $1,50O
paid for the education of such an individ-
al, and the results of such an education
pread over a period of forty-four years, the
would be less than S35 a year. {
The investment problem resolves itself into
simple question: Will the average man or
oiHdu VIII ~ uuNdl anu oiiiii C. =
ould be given at a cost of 1900, instead of
252, produce enough more in taxable values
D reimburse the state for the extra expendi-
ire? f
In view of these suggestions as set forth by +
stimates made by the Bureau of Education, G
ne far western states have found larger funds i
or educational purposes q good investment.
.[ontana, California, Nevada, Washington, the
district of Columbia (the only eastern excep-
on), Wyoming, Colorado and Idaho head the
st in the largest amounts appropriated for
lch purposes with sums ranging from $637
In considering the investing of 81, 500 for the
of each child in the United States.
suggested by Mr.. Claxton, one should take
ito consideration the fact that this amount
ill give elementary and high school education
all, in schools manned by competent teachers
nd adequately equipped. Moreover, such an
would provide the higher educa-
on of the college, university professional and
schools for two or three times as
amy as now get it. 1t would also allow oppor-
unity for correspondence education for all those
nable to attend a college or any other school
higher education. Il,
Pay the Teachers More.
THE cheapest thing in the world is a good
acher at any reasonable pricei' to quote Mr.:
laxton again. THE time. intellect, life and
of our children are too precious to
wasted and misused by teachers who are
competent. The work of the teachers is the
ost important work done in America. More
'pends on it than on the work of any other
ass Of men and women"
How much does the United States spend on
teachers? North Carolina is at the bottom
the list with an average salary or Sz64 tne
,ar. The average salary paid teachers is less
ian the wages paid scrub-women or ditch
ggers, according to the on Educa-
on of the House of Representatives. There
only one state in the Union which pays an
yerage teachers salary of over one thousand
,llars a year. California leads the states with
The District of Columbia, however, goes
is figure one better. granting an average
,nual salary of $1,O52. After these two, the
lily states paying an average annual salary
over $500 are New York, Arizona. Washing
n and New Jersey.
This is a country of poor schools and under
lid teachers. With all our wealth 1t is hard
get a decent education in America. When
D have fully grasped this fact we may do some
ing about it.