Evening journal., 1922-09-16
A NeaU Day in DeIalUar,e
Crron, the Phiadelphia North Amsr.canl

Four years ago a Pennsylvania
I travelling throughout Oklahoma was
amazed 10 see the schoolhouses in
that new state. In place OF the
nadequate-sometim unfit-rnake-
shifts he had noted a decade previ-
GUS were model structures. scattered
everywhere and in most instances
putting to shame surrounding dwell
ings.
Commenting on this change TO the
governor OF Oklahoma, the observer
was told that what he had seen was
only a preface to what was planned.
I'VE are proud Of our crops on
the surface OF the soil and beneath
IT," said the executive. but we want
to be proudest OF our thinking. act
ing output. We shall not be salts
fed until every town, village and
rural district Is supplied with such
up-to-date buildings as those which
have surprised you"
-Four years ago a traveller in Del
aware might have been equally as
tonished at the schoolhouses there
seen. but IN quite the opposite way.
Delaware IS one OF the original thir-
teen States. Up TO 1918 Il had more
than two hundred years IN which 10
perfect its system OF public educa-
ton.
Only In isolated instances had II
made use OF its opportunity. Most
Of its schoolhouses were inadequate
antiques. Many of them were dis
graceful, as was and still Is the case
with many IN Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia.
Lest this statement be attributed 20
ignorance or bias. we quote a Della
ware authority:
Native initiative was taking care
OF our varied industries. Party
politics had been developed TO the
einth degree in every part OF the
state. But for inscrutsble reasons
we had fallen behind the average OF
the nation in educational equipment
and educational technique. Della
ware was we'll IN advance OF the ma
jority of states IN highway construo-
tion. In agricultural prosperity and
in general provisions for economic
self-preservation; but public educa-
ton had not received the support
necessary TO pressrve permanently
our financial status or our intellec-
tual and spiritual leadership"
Such was the situation when, IN
1913, a Delawarean with something
more than money opened the way,
thru a gift OF millions. 70 a change.
In the belief that constructive citi-
zenship is the best asset a state can
possess, Pierre s. DUPONT made pos
sible the organization OF the Ser
vice Citizens of Delaware" and plac-
ed at the disposal OF the education
committee OF this group OF nearly a
hundred leading men and women Of
the state fund OF more than So
500, 900.
Before viewing the transformation
that has taken place In the schools
OF that state, Il is advisable 20 briefly
consider the general scope OF the
thus started. for the plan
is one that should command serious
attention on the part OF all interest
ed in sound public welfare.
The purpose OF the society Is ito
work for the Improvement OF so
cial conditions in the state OF Della
ware" and in seeking to accomplish
this purpose, the following plan Is
outlined in its constitution:
A. To obtain. through properly
qualified agents. such exact knowl-
edge Of existing conditions as may
be necessary as a basis for remedial
action
B. To urge and promote the adop-
ton of measures for Improvement
which are shown 10 be desirable as
the result Of investigation, or by
the experience and studies OF other
persons and organizations in Della
ware and elsewhere.
c. To bring conditions and reme-
dies TO the attention OF the citizens
of the state by means Of addresses,
reports. newspaper articles, and 9TH
er suitable instruments Of publicity.
d. To make, where feasible dem
onstrations Of improved methods OF
bettering social conditions in the
state Of Delaware, as we'll as OF con-
trolling conditions prejudical to So
clal welfare.
/. To promote full and cordial
among organizations
and agencies. public and private. en-
gagged in social welfare work in Del
aware.
f. To promote such other prop
er measures as will. in the opinion
Of its members. contribute TO the
fulfillment of the purpose for which
The society is established.
In its efforts. the society avoids
engaging in work that can best be
lone by the state, counties. munich
pal organizations or existing social
agencies. Its guiding purpose is to
lcqualnt the people with the existing
state Of affairs and with the means
available for betterment, and to urge !
prompt and effective remedial ac-
ion by the whole body OF citizens. |
Some idea of the ideal upon which |
{ rests may be had from the follow
ng excerpt from the current an
nual report, just published:
A state Is infinitely more than Its
acreage. its industries, its transpor-
atipn facilities. Its per capita wealth
md its institutions of government;
n a certain sense these things are
,nly the stage properties which give