Evening star., 1922-06-11
Capital to Be Students Mecca

gram. He says now that the prospects
for legislation for a department giving
education its proper place are very
good
When this stage is reached and pass
ed. then the way opens. Representative
Fess explains. for advanced legislation
on the various subjects Of physical edu-
cation. AmericaniZation. adult illiteracv
and home economics. which proposed
measures, although sought through
separate bills, were also included In the
department bill. No one of these could
be taken up before the general BILL
and 1t could not be taken up awaiting
the reorganization plan. That fs why.
according to Chairman Fess, the COM
mittee on education has not put through
its legislative program during the pres
ent session.
Expectation is that the reorganiza-
ton plan will soon be before Congress
and that the department of education
feature will be approved because Con-
gress is composed Of a very largo per-
centage Of former teachers who have
humanitarian, heart interest in
educational advancement as we'll as
a professional and political interest.
But il the reorganization bill is de-
layed Chairman Fess announces that
he will be compelled to take up for
consideration the measures now be-
fore his committee. including the
Sterling-Towner bill for a department
Of education.
The committee on education, hav-
, ing favorably reported this measure
in the last Congress. will doubtless
give it favorable consideration when
1t comes up again for action. Chair
man Fess says: Y am hopeful that
the reorganization plan will be ready
for consideration soon. 1t will give
us a plan upon which we can unite
tho two pledges to the public (for de-
partments Of education and welfare
work) and serve best tho nations
highest interests.
Notwithstanding the delay in legis-
lation granting federal aid to edu-
cation. there has been a very marked
Improvement in the educational situ-
alton since the war. Boards of edu-
cation have as general principle
pensation. This has been done by
state authority. which has been the
most important item In the states
increased taxation. In some states.
such as Ohio and Pennsylvania. this
item has been pronounced. School
piled to meet the rapid growth Of
school interests.
II II u X
Recently published figures upon the
growth of school attendance since
1870 show the following increases:
In the sixth grade. from 90 to % per
cent In 1918: In the seventh grade
from so to 7s per cent. and In the
eighth grade from AS to 70 per cent
Of tho enrolment to age population
The growth OF attendance IN high
school was: First year. from to IS
per cent; second year. 3 to "a per
cent; third year, s to II per cent. and
fourth year. from 1 to 1871 per cent.
This ratio will show a decided in
crease since 1918. and it shows up
very well in comparison with the
statistics for other countries.
The most encouraging feature Of
the entire educational situation is the
substantial recognition Of education
as q profession. The immediate pros
poets are much better and are now
promising to hold out to the able
young men and young women 4 better
asld for their talents. In which rea-
Sonable remuneration a. we'll a.
proper recognition are to be assured.
This IL . good osasn for America.