Evening star., 1922-12-03
WEEK
DRIVE OPENS TODAY
Special Drive Will Stress
District School
Needs.

Amer rican Education week. pro-
claimed by President Harding for
the primary purpose of arousing the
country TO the fullest appreciation of
Of better citizens and inspiring a
deeper and more abiding interest in
the children of the nation. will be
ushered in today Citizens of every
city. town and hamlet in the country
Will give special and thoughtful at
cation and its shortcomings.
Washington along with other cities
will observe the week by again en-
phasizing the congested conditions
and needs of its school system. Civic
organizations. school officials, teachers
and pupils will take prominent part
in the Districts program. The min
listers. however. in their sermons to-
day Will make some special plea from
the pulpit for the speedy relief of the
conditions in the schools and thereby
formally open the observance of the
week.
Parley Chief Event.
Like last year the outstanding event
of Education week in the nations
capital will be the conference be-
tween the board OF education and
representatives OF civic. trade and
other organizations Tuesday night in
the Franklin School. 1t is the inten-
ton of school authorities to discuss
at this meeting the estimates for the
fiscal year of 1924. the school build
ing program and legislation pending
in Congress which is designed to i'm
prove the existing undesirable con-
ditionS
Another feature of the week in
Washington will be the formal dedi-
cation Of the new kingsman School
and the recently completed additions
to other school buildings. The dedi-
catory exercises, in most cases, will
be in the form of housewarmings
and receptions. Elaborate celebra-
tions. however. have been arranged
at some Of the schools
The Rhode Island Avenue Citizens
Association, in cooperation with the
John Burroughs Parent-Teacher As
socfation and the Langdon-John Bur-
roughs Farent-Teacher Association,
row night at O'Clock in the
John Burroughs School. in celebra-
tion of the completion Of that school
building. The principal speakers will
be Senator-elect Simeon D. Fess of
Ohio: DR.. Frank Ballou. superin-
tendent of schools. and Selden NJ Ely,
supervising principal of the fifth divi-
sion. A picture of John Burroughs
will be presented to the school at
these ceremonies.
The other schools at which dedi-
catory exercises will be held and the
time follows: John Eaton, tomorrow
afternoon at $3.50 o'clock: Buchanan.
Tuesday afternoon from to o'clock,
with formal exercises at 5; Wheatley.
Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 O'Clock !;
Monroe, Thursday afternoon at s
o'clock; kingsman, Friday afternoon
at 2:15 o'clock, and the Deanwood,
Friday afternoon from to S o'clock,
with formal exercises at f.
The purpose Of American Educa-
tion week, according to a statement
issued last night by John j. Tigert,
federal commissioner of education,
lis not to congratulate ourselves upon
what has already been accomplished
in education. but rather to bring
done in order to carry out the plans
laid down by our forefathers for the
education of all the people"
American Education week." de-
clared Commissioner Tigert. ''fs the
time for telling facts about American
mental facts that need to be empha-
sized are. first, that all of the people
are not being educated. On the con-
trary. over 100000 children between
the ages of five and eighteen, one
of all in the country. are not in
any SCHOOl. otCOuuly, according 10
the United States census. about 5,O00.-
600 adults, or one-sixth of the total
are illiterate. while the
draft indicates that this figure is even
larger Thirdly. public schools are
being closed for lack Of teachers and
Of funds for carrying them on.
What is needed is funds and yet
more funds for the education of all
the people. If we believe in educa-
tion we must be willing to support
it. Such support is far more stu
pendous task than it was in the days
Of Jefferson, and the failure to give
such support is fraught with far more
serious consequences to the future
Of this country.
THE people of America, therefore.
on this first Sunday OF American
Education week are asked to conse-
Jrate themselves anew to crusade
against ignorance; to the education
of all the people in order that We bay
grow in power and in knowledge. in
human understanding and tolerance.
as the primary conditions OF continued
national progress"
Today has been designated For
God and Country day" of American
Education week. Tomorrow will be
american Citizenship day; Tuesday,
day: Wednesday, "School
and Teacher day; Thursday, "IlEteracy
day; Friday. Equality Of Opportunity
tion day.. --.-