Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-04
TEACH HUMANENESS AND
. KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
Iew York States Schools
8 Make Rapid Progress
J, in Work.

- Tho amount OF education In human
ttarianism being carried on In tho
lehools in New York state is de-
sSr!bed In the animal repor; Of Mrs
Stella J. Preston. director OF the de-
Tartment of humane education OF the
A. s. P. c. y. The foundation for
fhis instruction, she points out. was
1eid in 1917 when n law WAS enacted
providing for teaching in tho humane
1reatment OF animals and birds.
LJDuring the last year a Stete-widc
pxogram has been conducted and AZ
teen State normal schools have been
given illustrated talks on "SuSEes-
Sfons for Teaching Humancncss.
Mrs. Preston points on; in her report.
"A number Of teachers conferences
and Institutes have also heard this
lecture. In many OF the larger cities
and towns tho superintendent of
schools called special meetings OF
the elementary school teachers for
the purpose OF discussing methods
Of presenting humanoncss in schools
An practical way.
S'%Since May !, 1912, eiEhty-one talks
have been given TO groups OF school
Children through the efforts OF Il.
Society for the prevention OF Cruelty
to Animals and thirteen TO assem-
iblies Of teachers.
OutErows Resources.
+S"The Introduction OF humancnoss
In the schools OF Greater New York
was initiated by mo three years ago
under an Arrangement with the New
York womcn's League for Animals"
Says Mrs. Preston In her report. The
.seopc of the work has outgrown the
resources OF that organization. and
m IN nj hn I \ -
l4tcd department OF education.
which Will have the cooperation OF
the league in carrying out "a larger
program OF humane education work
in the schools OF New York city than
has ever been undertaken IN any
other large city. We no longer feel
that we enter the schools by cour-
tesy. From the superintendent Of
schools to tho district superinten-
dents, down the line TO the princi-
pals and teachers. who all recoEnIz"
.,he value Of the subject. the spirit
OF cooperation prevails.
= Children should he encouraged to
make 1t part OF their daily commu-
nifty life 10 watch out for distressed
animals. and receiving stations
should be made available for these
Unfortunate creatures accessible to
-the children IN the COngcstCd dis
.tricts. There is "A feeling abroad in
certain schools that humane cduCa-
ton means doing things for the re
-1icf OF suffering. and cooperation
will not be lacking II some practical
way can be worked out to help rid
Certain parts of the city of unwanted
animals.
- Three school Humane Clubs have
already been formed. and others are
IN 90 e.. It
, noteworthy OF these clubs is that Of
fthe Maxwell Training School for
, Teachers, in Brooklyn, which Is pre-
sided over By the principal and one OF
the faculty. Each puNil is not only
"a member, but every graduate leaves
tho school With a thorough and prac-
.tical training In the methods OF teach
Ing humaneness, and viii be an In
cduence for good. no matter where sh a
may take up her teaching profession.
sFourfeen school principals in Brook
fyn have volunteered 10 organize
<chapters OF the Maxwell Training
School Humane Club.
:. General Awakening.
= "A plan has been accepted by the
department OF Education to include
lin the American!zation course FOR the
adult foreign born. lectures iilustrat-
ed with stereopticon slides depicting
Nthe origin and work OF ant!crurity
societies. That there has been a
marked change in The attitude OF the
educationa! world toward the subject
1of humane education is evident TO all
= who have watched its progress. This
Seems TO be part Of the general
Awakening 10 the need for greater
.eense OF Justice and brotherly l-|ec
The practical features OF the law and
tits successful operation IN New York
state have been responsible for TWO
lother States adopting amendments OF
their education laws providing for the
teaching OF humanencss
The committee appointed by the
American humane Association 10 pre-
pare a uniform humane education bill
adaptable in all States made a report
: to- the convention held In Phuadcl-
phta last October. Included on ,he
Dom m!ttee drafting the biz were three
: Well known commissioners Of cdu-
cauon. Acting on behalf OF the a $
p. c. ~, submitted this bin 10 tho
Federal commissioner o! education in
!, December. Commissioner Tlgert, not
'npnly Endorsed the Legislation. but ne
went even further by expressing him
SAe!t as being more than ordinarily
: interested and willing to do all that
tEhis position will allow in advancing
> similar legislation throughout the
Ncountry WIN his Endorsement added