The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-05
NEED OF EDUCATION
TOLD TO R0TARIANS
BY BUTLER PRESIDENT

There are three great interests in
education today that show that educa-
ton is improving and is becoming one
of the most important factors in our
modern life," said Robert ]. Alley. pres
ident of Butler college when he ad-
tdressed the Rotary club, Tuesday. The
meeting was held in accordance with
the national education week program.
The first of these is the popular
| interest in the development of the
school system. For years education
has been the concern Of the state and
people generally are more interested
in the schools than ever before" The
speaker then reviewed the large
growth in the amount of money spent
for buildings, equipment and teachers
salaries within the last few years and
stated that the increased interest has
been of great benefit to the country
in that more children are being given
an opportunity to educate themselves
and that each year the number of
graduates from high school is increas-
ing.
The second great interest. said the
speaker, is the interest being taken by
the business and professional men in
the college graduate. This, he said,
is one of the most outstanding victor
les long in the achieving of modern ed
ucation.
Colleges Must Grow
There never will be a perfect col
Ilege, at least, l hope not" said Mr..
Alley. when Earlham college gets
to the point that it is perfect, would
advise that you close it up. The col
lege, like another institution or body
must grow to develop and when
growth stops and there are no new
problems for the college, then there
is something wrong somewhere"
And then l would cite you to the
great benefit to the nation and the
interest with which the announcement
Is met that education is gradually
solving the problems of illiteracy in
the United States" said the speaker
in stating the third great interest in
education. He reviewed the illiteracy
situation in this country stating that
all OF the illiterate vote in the coun-
try could swing any election.
Indiana is not the lowest in point
OF illiteracy." said DR.. Alley, but Meth
er has she the highest rating. We
have many problems to solve along
this line, and education is one of the
big factors in the situation
Should Develop Patriotism
"The function of the school is to de-
velop patriotism and love of country.
in the hearts of young America In
; this we have partially failed in that
there is much lawlessness among the
youth of today" said the speaker.
Education ought to equip the youth
with that common and constantly in
creasing knowledge that he must have
to get on in society. The fundamental
, truths are vastly larger than they
, were years ago.
"And again, education must leave
the youth of the nation unsatisfied
| with his condition. If there should be
I a graduate from your college or uni
3 versity with the idea that he is per
: feet and that he can learn no more
then there is something wrong with
, that educational institution" declared
the college president. 1T is the aim
i of education to point out to the intel
ligent mind the questions which are
to be solved and which are beckon
ing him on to greater worlds to con,
quer."
!, World Needs Leaders
, '"The institution of higher learning
! is great need. 1t develops the lead
) er, and we need the leader. 1t is ths
most capable students who reach the
highest points in their chosen work
: We need the outstanding student;
along their various lines in the teach
: ing profession, for here we can no
have blind leaders. They must have
. at least four years ahead of those they
= teach" The speaker stated that the
: day when the teacher had to worl
: hard to keep ahead of his pupils wa:
!, past and that today the teacher mus
! be a leader in more than educationa
requirements.
Preceding the speaker and durini
! the luncheon several fine musica
! numbers were played by small groul
y of eight musicians picked from tn,
Z Morton high school orchestra.