The Washington herald., 1921-11-29
|. Washington Schools.
|NHE HERALD is publishing series of articles
on the Washington public Schools which will

on the Washington public schools which will
continue through this week These were
especially prepared for The Herald for speciA
purpose after personal investigation. Their pre-
paration was undertaken with the approval of the
school authorses and of the Congressional District
JOINT subcommittee on education, OF which Senator
CapPer IS chairman We believe it was Senator
Ball. Chairman OF the Senate District Committee
who recently said that Washington as the Capital
OF the nation should have the best system of pub
lie schools in the country, model for all other
CITIES
1t is for this purpose-that Washington shall
nave the best school system and the best schools
AHrerica-The Herald has enlisted We do not
know how long this will take and therefore have
not limited this term of enlistment. We may rest
between times. but of one thing there need be no
doubt-we will not quit whether it takes months or
years
We have decisions about little matter of
this kind but do believe the scene is set and the
time is here to make big start at once We know
quite well The Herald cannot do this Our part is
but-a part-that of publicity. The real doing must
be and will be done by Others They might do it
without u.s. only they haven't; but we could not do
1t without them. In digging in just for the begin
ming, we have been amazed at the interest and the
strength OF the forces which seem ready to CO.
operate that every child in this city may have
scat in modern school building and that quality
OF educational opportunity which belongs OF right
TO every American boy and girl
Naturally the school authorities are sympathe-
tic. Even more important the District Joint Com
mlttee on Education thoroughly aroused to the
necessity OF better schools and better school facili-
tics Their plans to this end have been interrupted
by other demands upon their time which could not
be postponed But they should not have to under
take personal investigation. The facts should be
brought to them and with these complete plan
for remedy should be submitted. The commit
tees share is to contribute their Judgment and
make the decisions. In the first instance they are
the court and what they recommend Congress will
probably approve.
There is direct and indirect assurance of SUD-
port from the citizens associations, that powerful
federation OF Washington fathers There are as
surances Of very earnest support from the womens
clubs almost as numerous the mems clubs These
mothers OF the children of Washington will be A
power in ways where men often fail. Then there
are the parent-teacher associations organized in
every school district the few where principals
who Go not belong and did belong have
taken upon themselves to refuse to sanction such
q. an organization. Yet all other organizations
combined have done for the schools in practical
ways title as much as these parent-teacher clubs
These the forces that are ready and for
years have been ready waiting for someone to make
the start The Herald is making it in this series of
articles. 1t is telling simple plain facts in clear.
cold-blooded way, that all may know, not o1Iv
in Washington but in all the States where and how
the Capital City stands educatonaiB' Our poiicv
IS: First, tell the truth; do try cover up or
hide disagreeable facts. e. Make the Then,
get busy.
We making the case We believe that we
know what is needed, based upon the facts and how
TO get it. We intend to develop our plan from day
to day in this column. We invite suggestion md
criticism. This is Washington's Job, not T c
Herald's, nor that OF Congress. We have all SIT
back for too many years expecting Congress to take
Che vote of George" and hand to Washington on A
silver salver everything we thought Washington
should have. Whatever is worth having is worth
getting and nothing has full value which comes too
easily.
If Washington wants the best schools in the
country, and she does she have them by getting
them, and that is just the way they are coming Thev
coming, too, from a willing Congress All
Congress will ask-we know this is true as to tbs
District Committees to find the right way the
best way aud the certain way. If The Herald with
the help OF the forces we have named, cannot un-
ton of the friendly Congressman, then we are a
poor bunch.