Newark post., 1922-06-07
Press Bulwark OF
Educational System
Commissioner Of United States
Bureau Of Education Urges
Cooperation Of Work

Extension of the educational in
fluence of the Press has been advo-
Gated by John j. Tigert, Commits
sioner, United States Bureau of Edu-
cation, as means of safeguarding
the school system of the nation. In
an interview with a representative of
the American Publishers Conference
at Washington, DR.. Tigert declared
that his observations on a recent trip
throughout the country showed the
need for a general public awakening,
which may be achieved only through
the instructive character of news
papers and magazines. He paid tri-
butte to the press as one of the most
useful instruments of the human race
in the acquisition and dissemination
of knowledge.
The Commissioner stated that the
enlightened press of today is a neces-
sary force in moulding minds and
manners of young citizens because
publications are an invaluable asset
to education in building up respect
and reverence for law and govern
ment.
DR.. Tigert has been advised that his
appeal to the press of the country for
its support cannot achieve its full re-
sponse until there has been a reduc-
tion in postal charges on second class
matter originally imposed as a war
revenue measure. The publishers in
sist that their activities in promoting
education are handicapped by these
discriminatory taxes on reading mat
ter.
Describing the helpfulness of news
papers and magazines, the Federal
Commissioner of Education said
"There is no single factor that can
do so much for the promotion of
public education in the United States
as can the press of the country. |
have just returned from an extensive
trip through several of the far
western states and have been telling
the people of those states that what
is most needed today is not larger sal
aries for teachers, or more consoli-
dated schools, or longer school terms
in the rural districts, or better school
buildings and equipment, but an en-
lightened public consciousness of our
educational system.
"There is evident in some places a
reactionary tendency regarding our
schools and the only way in which this
can be successfully fought is through
a general public awakening and un-
derstanding as to what our public
schools really mean to our American
democracy. The press can render in
estimable service to the cause of pub
lie education if it will take an active
interest in educational matters.
. "There can be no liver topic for
newspaper or magazine than that
which affects the future life of the
q iiiiiiioii DoyS anu girls III AllSTlCd.
When it is remembered that last year
far more was spent on cigars and
cigarettes than on public education,
and nearly as much on paints and
powders, it is evident that the public
schools of this country are not quite
so expensive a luxury as some of it's
critics would like to make out. Surely,
the welfare of our children is not dear
at this price.
with the aid Of the limelght of
the press it will be much easier to
overcome the difficulties that still
exist in many parts of this country
in the way of giving to every Ameri-
can boy and girl such opportunities
for that kind and degree of education
that will best fit him or her for life
of greatest usefulness in our great
democracy"