Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-26

lions. In fact DR.. Thomas was the
real leader of the Convention and
had more to do with shaping its
pollcles than any other delegates.
The possibilities of this conference
are llmltless; 1t came out openly for
international peace and good will.
and laid out a program which will
mean more to the peace of the World
than the high sounding phrases that
otten have been adopted by politi-
clans and diplomats. There was no
intimation of politics at this great
gathering, and those who attended
were not bound by that national
selhshness and complacency that so
often has dominated other Inter
national conferences.
The Governor declared his opinion
that:
1.-THE sure foundation for World
Peace is through education. If
young people can be taught that
nations can live and advance side by
side without those jeaiousies that so
OFTEN lead to conflict. there soon
will come upon the stage a
great body of men and women who
will see to it that selfish politicians
and schemers no longer hold con-
troll of world affairs. know of
nothing that has occurred which Of
fers so much hope for the future as
the San Francisco Conferences, and
DR.. Thomas has become an inter-
national figure in this great move
ment.
1.-THE day is coming, and II may
not be as rar awav as some would
have us think. when the principal
civilized nations of the World stimuli
taneously will lay down their arms
and live together in peace. Human
beings the world over are ANNA ted
by similar motives and aspirations.
There is no reason why they should
clash and thus bring on conflicts of
arms. most of which have been the
result of schemes and plots Of those
who seek to profit through the suf-
ferings and sacrifices of others.
Public Taste in Newspapers
During the World Conference l
followed carefully it's proceedings,
and it is a sad commentary on the
press and people of this country to
note the scant attention that the
great metropolitan papers gave to
what was transporting at San Fran
cisco. The excuse the papers offer
is that they were catering to the
taste of their readers. At the time
of the conference a great prize fight
was being staged in the State of
Montana, and the papers were filled
with accounts of that fight and it's
preparation. International news was
sighted, and any citizen from a for
eign country properly could draw
the Inference that practically all of
the people of this country were alb
ia,
that Was~taking place.
In almost every daily paper that
comes into the home there are entire
pages devoted to past, present and
future prize fights. and the papers
here in Maine are no exception to
the rule. 1t seems to me it is very
unfortunate that this should be so,
for 1t has a bad influence not only
upon the children but on their par
ents.
] believe in wholesome athletics
and in sports of all kinds, but the
''ringside" gossip and other write
ups that crowd our G1ilies: and keep
out real news lower the high stand
ing of our news papers and vitiate
the taste of their readers. When
we realize that the gate receipts
from one of these great fights runs
into several hundred thousand dol
lars and tens of thousands of per-
sons attend. it reflects upon our
twentieth century civilization.
One day ] was working in my Of
flee at the Capitol and the telephone
rang. Certain enthusiastic prize
fight fans" said they were planning
to bring the heavyweight champion
of the world to my office to call upon
me. but / replied that | did not have
the time to meet him and the in
cident was closed. | always am glad
to meet the citizens of Maine, and
none of them occupy position 100
humble for them to come to the Gov
ernor's office. but l am not at all
interested to meet pugilistic cham
pions, no matter how widely adver
tised their proves. In these mat
tors we need to cultivate a proper
sense of proportion. and 1t is well
for us sometimes to stand against
the thoughtless tide of public
opinion.
In speaking of sports the Governor
referred to the way they are conduct
ed in Japan. "In that country every
child in the school takes part in school
games. / have seen several thousand
children gathered in the great parks
that abound in japanese cities. running
races and playing athletic games, that
do much to build UP their youthful
bodies. These young Japs eagerly enter
into their sports. under the watchful-
ness of the teachers who always accom-
pany them. From the smallest schol-
airs of the first and second grades up
to those in the high school. all take
part. and the games are arranged in
most artistic fashion.
Another custom which is prevalent
all over Japan is for the teachers to
take their scholars to shrines and
other historic spots and to the famous
scenic places of their country.
These journeys cultivate in the minds
of the youths sense of loyalty to
their country and an appreciation of
its history. 1t is seldom that our
teachers take their school children
, about the country, even to visit local
points of interest. l always am de-
lighted to have our young people come
to the Capitol for it teaches them pa
triotism and good citizenship, and
gives them some understanding of
what a republic and a government by
the people means.
The Rural Schools
The schools of our State are divid-
cd into two distinct classes, 1.-The city
and the rural schools, the former as a
rule are properly housed and have
suitable equipment. Moreover in the
cities there is a strong public ser:i-
mcnt in favor of good schools. and this
is reflected through the school COM
mittees and those who are responsible
for school work The city schools in
most places are being well taken care
of. The rural schools are my imme-
diate concern.
In the country districts distances
are great and the interest that school
, committeeman often times take in
their work is slight. The school chill
dren who go to the Little red school
house" are under a decided disadvan-
taSe, and i'll many cases are not being
f.,i III II, ln,