Evening journal., 1922-09-16
,ttlnE to the drama of ne.

Any unit OF people. such as Della
ware. has It's real and abiding asset
In the traditions, the courage, tn
honor. the hopes and the Ideals O
Its men and women. Delaware 10
day holds more OF value for tn
future OF humanity than the vas
areas OF Mexico and China. Ou
| little commonwealth has an unusu
ally large number OF citizens VIII
possess spiritual vision.
Our object is first TO express an
then 20 realize the highest value
OF human life, TO federate men an
women OF lofty ideals In a common
enterprise for intellectual. moral an
/ spiritual betterment, 10 discover tn
paths OF progress and give our citi
zens the incentive 20 follow them
In view OF the school situation II
Delaware. as above depicted. tn
Service Citizens organization decid
ed 10 use the larger part OF its re
sources In the cause OF public educa
ton. and the results TO date, a
described and pictured in the repor
mentioned. are calculated TO facili
tate any ones belief in the ''comini
true" OF fairy tales.
To start with. the society con
ceived its mission IN these funda
mental terms:
No one can defne education.
Certainly we are centuries be-
yond the minimum standard OF
the three RS. We ure now US
ing the chemistry OF the air 20
fertilize our fields; new varitties
in the vegetable world. produced
by the genius OF man, no longer
surprise us: we generate cleo
trlcity for lighting. heating and
various forms OF transportation;
invisible and intangible waves in
the atmosphere known as radio
are becoming the means OF en-
tertalnment and instruction;
and, in q SCORE OF other ways.
science has led the whole world
forward.
Wonderful as the past century
has been, it looks as II the next
decade would be still more won
derful. To understand and 10
utilize these new epoch-makinE
discoveries ought not TO belong
exclusively TO the privileged
few from our universities; the
dement's should be distributed 10
each boy and gira IN the coun-
try. even TO those on the most
isolated farms.
When millenniums are being
compressed into minutes. every
one should be a beneficiary.
II not, then Democracy is only
word by which tax-eating and
place-hunting politicians are
Juggling the MAS OF the people
out of their inalienable rights.
Backing up this admirable theo-
retical premise with a really remark
able record OF practical expression
within the last four years the society
has built eighteen new while schools,
at a total cost OF nearly S660.OOO,
and thirty-seven new colored schools
at a cost OF S56O.O00. with thirty
three more OF the latter TO be fin
ished this year at an added cost OF
ss5O.O00.
Il would be hard 20 conceive a
more inspiring exhibit than the pic
lures OF the old and new school
buildings. as presented. In mos
instances, the old ones were little
better than shacks, and AFFORDED
every possible lack in proper light
ing, ventilation and sanitation
These health hindrances have beer
repiaced by the last word in modern
school construction, equipped WITH
every known device for comfort and
ease OF learning. At the same time
their architectural appearance is
sich as TO exert a real influence on
the future growth OF nearby dwell
ings and business structures.
Taken as a whole. they represent
the highest standard OF physical
school equipment that science, skill
and common sense can produce. and
there is no doubt as 10 what they
will do for public education In that
state.
Already, the average OF daily at
tendance has increased notably, and
from a low-ranking position Della
ware has leaped to the leadership OF
all states in the matter OF commu-
nifty examinations actively interested
in the conduct Of the schools.
All this has been quietly done
without blare OF trumpets or any de-
sire for outside publicity, though OF
course such an experiment cannot
long be hid under even the most
modest bushel. For here. IN neces-
sary compact form-Delaware being
the second smallest state in the
Unions a shining example Of what
can be accomplished when right de-
sires and dollars work hand in hand
for the benefit Of the people.
The Service Citizens program IN
cludes other laudabls aims, but nat
urally none can compare in value
with this education experiment.
Even now the people OF that state
are conscious OF their former lacks
and anxious to follow the lead OF
these trail-blazers. Meantime, men
and women from other states are
coming 10 see what has been done IN
such a short time, so Delaware's new
day is aiding the dawn OF similar
progress elsewhere.
II IS an achievement worthy OF
widespread emulation.