Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-09-21
COMMISSIONER THINKS 1T rs Fu.
TILE TO CONTINUE WITH
INADEQUATE SUPPORT
SAYS THE CRISIS is ACUTE
Attempt to EconOmize by Small Appro-
prlatlons Has Had Reverse Effect
Summary OF the Recommendation
Made to Congress.
BY JAMES p doRNAnAY

Inat there is urSeat need of larger
appropriations for the work of the
bureau, Notwithstanding the present
program Of economy In government ex-
penditures, for the following reasons
(1l The bureau has net had for some
years past adequate appropriations TO
make 1t efficient; (2) the crisis In edu-
cauon is as acute as it is in business
ana the need of reorganization of our
educational systems is Imperative CD
our schools, especially the rural
schools, cannot be financed on the
| prewar basis; and the assistance of
the federal government in solving these
| problems is essential; az the condi-
lions respecting illiteracy and the prev
alence of remedial physical defects are
matters of national Importance (5)
the attempt to economic by small APP
preparations to the bureau has had the
reverse effect and has been wasted.
Because of the inadequate appropria-
tion for the salary of a person to adj
minister the land-grant college funds,
amounting to upwards of S3,500,0e0,
this position Is frequently vacant. and
has changed six times In ten years.
The commissioner questions the adj
visibility of continuing the bureau en-
the present basis of wholly inadequate
support and points out the futillty of
expecting returns that will justify the
outlay.
His Recommendations In Brief.
The commissioner has formulated
number of recommendation which
may be summarized br,lay as follows
ID The returns on the investment
made by the congress and the effieien-
ey of the service which should be
rendered by the bureau are seriously
Impaired by the lnadequacy of the
amounts available for payment of
salaries; the duties of these positions
require the services of men and women
Of such native ability, education and
experience as enable them to demand
much larger salaries elsewhere; the
limit of salaries that may be paid from
lump-sum appropriations should be re-
moved.
(2) For printing the documents
which should issue from the bureau
each year there should be available a
much larger sum than that now allotted
for these purposes; changing condg-
tons have created a demand for snch
information as is contained In these
publications In many and widely
varied fields of education; much larger
editions Of these bulletins arc need
ed than is now permitted by law.
l3) 1t would be tremendously wsstc-
full for every city and for all the As
states to conduct Independently re
search to establish the principles nee
essary to formulate the constructive
programs demanded by public policy
In many Important features of educa-
tional activity; one can estimate the
| saving In time, effort and money
that would follow the effective exercise
of leadership in these matters by the
feocral government.
Value of Motion Pictures.
"a The educational possibilities of
the motion picture constitute an Inn
mense field of utmost significance as
set practically UNEMPLOYED; although
now there are more motion-picture ma
chimes in schools, clubs, churches, ETC.,
than In commercial theaters, conditions
are such that the industry is organ.
lied almost exclusively to serve the
interests of the commercial theater; no
producer or organization of producers
Of nd n aaIr
vestigation of school needs and edu.
eational possibilities, and they all lack
the motive, personnel and school con-
facts which are essential to the sue
cess Of such a study.
(5) The several states are studying
the problems involved in the inability
Of large sections of our population TO
understand our language and In the
prevailing ignorance Of the elementary
principles upon which our form OF
government is based and Of the ideals
toward which we are striving. but
there is urgent need of central
agency which win make Immediately
available 10 all the results of aa5 ex-
pertinent which proves successful ana
which can supply the constant sfImu.
lbs to better things which can come
only from leadership; this Is obviously
the function Of the federal govern
ment.
go In no way could the bureau rem
der better service TO the cause OF
education in the country than by an
organized effort to promote better
school methods Of finance and account
Ing; q reasonable sum expended in de-
vsloping efficient systems Of account.
Ing and in aiding school authorities 10
install and administer them viii save
the taxpayers many times the amounts
thus expended.
"a comparatively large Increase
Ia the appropriation for travelling ex.
penses Is necessary to enable the bu.
reau 70 do its work effectively.
Night Flying by Mail Planes.
Experiments have been made by