Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-12-19
DR.. A. o. Thomas
Addresses Calf.
Teachers AssO'n

Los Angeles, Cal, Dec. 1S-Aupus-
lus -. Thomas, commissioner of edu-
catlon OF Maine. speaking before the
California State Teachers .Associa-
tion on the subject, "Is the Attempt
10 provide Educational Opportunities
LOT LOT All An Economic Waste?" said,
Inc world has never been able to
measure mans achievement, until
ne Is deod, and some of the great
masters have not been accorded their
iun rating for hundred years after.
IL you cannot judge achievement I'M
I'll after a man is gone it would be
very difficult to judge the bow before
ne enters school, either primary high
school or college. A persons brain
power is his inherited endowment,
the only way you can increase that
endowment is through application
and education. The endowment is a
constant element, and the individual
mas nothing to say as to which it
snail be. Application and education
are Variables and may be increased
at will. The individual has complete
control of them. An individuals dy-
manic power is his endowment times
application times education. An
ounce of brains multiplied by two
ounces of application and education
has as great projectile force as two
ounces of brains multiplied by an
ounce of application and education
About two per cent. of our popula-
ton could probably not take educa-
ton but all of the rest may be trained
for some useful occupation or edu-
Gated for some enabling profession.
No one claims that all should have
liberal arts education, but the liberal
arts is not the only recognized form
of education today. There has
scarcely been a liberal arts college
established in the last twenty-fi five
years, but there have been numerous
technical schools. We cannot divide
our children into common and pre-
ferred classes and continue democ-
racy. The attempt to select the
chosen few and educate them to the
exclusion of all others is not modern.
1t savors of the cloister, master and
servant, the divine right of kings and
is form of snobbery incompatible
with American principles. No one
claims that all were born equal, but
the Declaration of Independence had
it about right when it heralded to the
worlI the indisputable principle that
all are created free and equal in GER
tain inalicnable rights and among
these is life liberty and the pursuit
of happiness.
DIR. Thomas said that the cost does
not need to deter us for every dollar
we spend for education in the unlted
States w spend seventeen dollars Tor
Injuries. 1t only costs three cents
per capita per day fer all our pubic
education. The cost of the expert
ment is not prohibitive.
While the chief purpose of education
is not mercenary. Massachusetts is
good example of the returns Tor
money spent. In 1920 Massachusetts
nresonted earnings of $3.50 per capita.
Tennessee $3.50. Massachusetts gives
her citizens en- averaGe of seven years
schooling. Tennessee three years.
Massachusetts has had to make up
in nnnlication and education for the
natural resources of Tennessee.
Massachusetts evidentl" believes in
education for over the Boston Punilc
Library is found in large letters the
legend. 1.-THE Commonwealth requires
that the people be educated as safe.
guard to liberty and Justice