Imperial Valley press., 1923-12-17
VALLEY Is MUCH
IMPROVED SAYS
EDUCATOR WOOD
Declares Big Change in
Many Ways Since
Last Visit

On his first trip to fmpeIK1 Val
ley il seven years, Will N: Wood,
state superintendent |school, ar
rived in this ETY. ye;f erday and
Today addressed the school se;ch-
ers of the county 1T the annual in
stitute convention.
Wood expressed his surpii ie It
the progress that has been made IN
Imperial VALLEY since the occasion
Of his former visit, mentioning par
ticularlv the improved condition of
ranches, roads and cities. He made
the statement frankly, that he con
siders there is ample room for ad-
i.lional Improvement, though he IS
.onf;dant that this community viii
oat:nue TO progress IS il has in
the past.
Development Of new markets for
its products, a greater diversity of
products, and he cultivation CT
smaller acreage were mentioned as
three essentials which he considers
necessary for the future prosperity
Of the valley.
Wood is greatly interested in the
development of social activities on
Il community scale, and considers
such activities as vitally essential
to the well being of the younger
generation in the valley. He be
ieves that the development of our
sccial life, broadly speaking, has
aot kept pace with the advancement
IF things material. Opportunity
or plenty of clean, wholesome and
lealthful amusement, Il der sym
pathetic supervision is especially
iaportant in the valley, he staten,
because of the newness of the eoun'
try, and its proximity to the Dor
Ter.
Praises Valley School
Asked his opinion Of the VALLEY
,choois, Wood stated they are held
II high regard bv his department
and rank with the largest schools
n the state in efficiency and mod
,rn equipment. IN this respect he
is fully satisfied with the work that
has been done by the people Of
Imperial County.
With the broad understanding OF
man who is responsible for the
DEVELOPMENT of character in the f.
ture citizens Of California, Wo0c
g firm believed in the youngei
generation of today, and refuses t.
admit the charge made by so many
so-cal!ed refOrmers, that the young
er generation has gone TO the dog
~ IS even headed that way. Tht
increase in juvenile crime, consider
ed a calamity by mary, is greatly
discounted in his opinion by tn,
feet that 20 or 80 years ago, there
xas no provision made for The
punishment Of Juveniles in thu
courts, and for this reason, offense.
9hich were then punished by q
parcntal spanking, or similar cor
rective means, are now handled b'
probation Officers and the jWeni.t
departments. The great increase IL
temptation to youngsters, iaused
by the advancement that has beer
made in our material life, for ex
ample the MOVIES and TIE automo
bile, has naturally resulted in more
offenses being brought to ligh'
than was formerly the ease.
Favors Reformatory
From his observation of the worl
done by the courts in endeavorins
to curg juvenile criminal activity
Wood is strongly in favor of th'
establishment Of a reformatory fol
first offenders, instead Of sending
them TO the state prisons. A young
ster who 20 years ago would oni'
be considered "wildv is now of
ten sent to the penitentiary, wheri
his association With men long ne
tive in criminal pjursnits, make
him really a cfinaiEal whea ne u
discharged from custody.
Following his addresses 81 m
teachers institute today, Wood vii
attend the banquet tonight, leaving