Evening journal., 1923-01-24
MIDDLETOWNF FOR
modern SCHOOLS
Look With Disfavor on Any
Backward Step by
Legislature
WORK
ALSO ENDORSED

Century Club OF Middletown, an in
spring educational mass meeting
was held in the club rooms yester-
day afternoon. Several hundred
persons were> present and resoiu-
tlons were read and adopted.
Following are the resolutions, In
troduced by Mrs. W. Biggs, and
unanimously adopted. each resolu-
tion being voted on separately:
I'VE, the people of Middletown. In
mass meeting assembled January %.
realizing education to be one Of the
most important subjects confront
ing the Legislature as well as the
entire people of the state. and be-
lieving that the members OF the
General Assembly would appreciate
a frank statement of our views on
the various phases of this program,
therefore give expression through
the following resolutions:
I'VE affirm our approval OF the
amendments proposed TO our pres
ent school law by the state Board OF
Education which do not change the
fundamental principles OF the law,
but are intended to make II work
moro satisfactorily from a stand
point OF both the community and
State.
We look with dlsfavor upon any
legislation which would attempt TO
carry the State back TO the law op-
Grating In 1917. and would oppose
any such move believing It to be
most detrimental TO the best interest
of the children Of Delaware.
Since the cost OF Running the
schools OF the State for last year was
in round numbers s2,495,OOO and
since more children are entering /
school each year. and since the total |
budget from all the districts in the /
state amounted to S2.70O.OO0 we be- /
ieve the S2.50O.OOO asked for byl
he State Board OF Education abso- !
utely necessary for tho efficient on
'ration Of the schools. and urge the
Legislature 10 make provision for
his amount. We do not believe that
he teachers OF the State as a whole
ire adequately paid and shall look
With disfavor upon any move that
'ontemplates a reduction, and feel
confident that the members OF the
General Assembly are in hearty
Since many OF our teachers are
solated In small schools. and many
re inexperienced in their work.
nd since much OF their success
epends very largely upon the intel
gent sympathetic help and guild
nee OF the supervisors, we there
ore recommend that the present
supervisory force be- retained, be-
ieving the results obtained by the
'upervisors amply justifes us in
making this recommendation.
II Is our judgment that the work
n vocational agriculture and homo
economies has been a emonstrated
uccess in our community. We can
ot endorse this work too strong
The intimation OF the proba-
ility Of its being discontinued
1oroughly aroused our people. We ]
ope to see this work serve the
ntire state as It has served Mid
letown.
The work Of the Child Welfar.
ommission in home and school :
as proven a blessing TO MANY n ,
lid and parent. We consider
us work essential 10 the health. :
fety and welfare OF our commune :
es We therefore. urge the lecis-
ture to provide the means for the
fective continuance OF this pro-
.am.
NO question confronting the peo-
.e OF Delaware Is of great lmport-
nee than that OF providing suit
Die school buildings for our bovs I
nd girls 10 work in When a sur
sy is taken of the State and lis
eeds' as well as the present prac-
ce, we believe the State Board OF
ducation has acted wisely in re-
Nesting a Statewide building pro- .
ram calling for S3,O00,OO0 in I
onds for building school houses
herever needed in the State. We
rye that the Legislature provide
'r the Issuing of these bonds. and i
scommend that a one mill tax on ,
Ivestments not now taxed as real L
state be levied 10 take care Of the II
Iterest and retirement. n
We approve of the above resolu- c
ons and request that copies be sent
the chairman OF the committees "
D Education in the Senate and the o
ouse at Dover o
Miss Elizabeth Amery, State sup "a
visor Of Home Economies, r. w. d.
elm, State Director OF Vocational Il
ducation, and John Shilling, assisa-
ut State Superintendent In ohargel
high schools spoke on educational
Ibjects "
Mr.. Shilling said that at least c
ace in every two years the atten-
on Of the people of Delaware is
'cussed on the schools. which are
gned and controlled by the people. c.
e referred TO the tests now being Z
ed in elementary schools for b
ecking up and measuring progress. :
nong these are. health, vocation. Il
tizenship, worthy home member a.
lip, and the proper use of leisure, g
e first and the last being especially t'
lphasized. e
Speaking Of supervision, he II
ought out the fact that Whining
n and the special districts had an ID
equate corps OF supervisors. and ca
at plans had been under way at y
over TO deprive the rural schools IN
this same Opportunity. with 10
pervision as is now being carried I'll
|, the loss. formerly expert need m
pupils moving from one district of
another, is in a large measure A
minated. 81
Mr.. Shilling emphasized the fact al
at human nature always provides
means for obtaining the desires be
the adult. He Illustrated this by IA