South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-17
Conference Seeks to Better
Nations Younger Generation
Prominent Leaders Discus S
Mental and Physical De-
velOpment of Youth.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16-(By a.
P)-Under leadership of the war
department, representatives Of
American schools, colleges and Or
CARNATIONS dealing with the mental
and physical betterment of the race
went into conference here today in
the hope that a systematic method
Of developing young Americans 10
better citizenship could be evolved.
AS a basis from which TO proceed,
the conference was told by Sec'y. OF
War Weeks that statistics OF the
war time draft system showed so per
cent OF the men called for examina-
ton TO be physically sub-normal and
disclosed a deplorable percentage OF
illiteracy.
Mr.. Weeks, Gen. Pershing anc
Brig. Gen. William LAssiter who al
so addressed the conference, laid
stress on the fact that the war ex-
perience had demonstrated that a
great proportion of the physical de-
fects disclosed could be corrected by
proper systems OF physical training
and development beginning in the
schools. Mr.. Weeks at the same
time pointed out that good physical
condition among the children would
materially aid in their mental ad-
vancement and the development Of
such ideals Of citizenship as would
go far to offset waves Of popular
unrest and the work of un-American
agitators.
Draft Data Available.
All of the information gained by
the war department from several
years Of study OF draft statistics in
connection with actual war expert
ence were placed at the disposal Of
the conference which divided ItseIr
into two subcommittee which VIII
report at a general session Of the
conference Saturday.
Gen. Lassiter declared the draft
had shown that only one ,hird Of
the men claimed to be skilled in
their trades actually possessed a de-
gree of skill TO warrant rating of
journeymen. To meet the army's
need for technical skill of this char
acter. he said. it was necessary dur
ing the war 10 give training 10 ap-
proximately 100000 men.
Our industrial firms are becom-
ing aware Of the necessity Of def
mite preparation OF young men to be
skilled workers and some Of them
are establishing their own schools
for providing such training" Gen.
I.assiter said, but there is little CO.
operation between the industries
and the schools Of the country look
ing toward an increased output OF
technically skilled men. Thus it is
TO be noted that in the manufacture
ing industries and transportation, oc
equations requiring mechanism
skill-there are now about 1000
600 male workers.
Furthermore. IL does not appear
that there are any general accepted
specifications. aptitude tests or tests
OF efficiency TO guide schools in
training young men according 70
their aptitudes The lack OF such de-
finite means for the adjustment Of
the youth 10 his task in life and the
lack OF equally well defined ter
minology for classifying men with
respect 10 physique. skill and knowl-
edge. were among the most serious
causes OF delay in mobilization for
the World war. Consequently. from
the point OF view. both OF prepare
ton and citizenship and OF prepare
ton for national defense. IL would
appear that Il Is still necessary 10
make a we'll co-ordinated drive 10
the establishment OF Definite stan
dards OF achievement for training
young men for their occupation in
life"