The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-08-29

Every Monday there was a general
cleanup in which every one took
part. The floors would be scrubbed,
the rubbish pile burned, or some inn
provement installed. In regard to
this last, the boys built themselves an
clubhouse for sanitation that was
real contribution of their proletarian
dexterity. Voluntary work was also
common. Many of the small irregu-
lar jobs we've done by volunteer help,
such as putting screen netting on the
windows of the hall, repairing the
board walksa OF. building racks for pa.
pers and books. This form of work
was encouraged and the principle of
1t was one Of the secrets of the sue
cess of the school. While on this
matter of work 1t can be said that
at the school work was never de-
graded. It was never used as a form
of punishment, 1t was never condemn
ed as a necessary evil.
The housing committee was one Of
those committees that took over much
of that detail work that would other
wise have worried the school director.
1t had the task of providing comfort.
All the complaints and needs of the
students we're handled by this COM
mittee. It procured water pals and
dippers for drinking water, basins and
pals for washing, lanterns and oil for
lights, mattresses and hay for cots.
1t distributed the blankets so that
no one had too much or too little COW
ering. Students who entered late and
over night visitors were provided
lodging by the committee.
The health supervisors were Com.
rade Hayes and Comrade HeIander.
The most serious ailment at the
school was case Of humps. Beside
all the necessary sanitary precautions,
short talks on health and care of the
body were given several times week
in class by the director.
/ At the school there were no major
breeches Of conduct such as stealing,
fist fighting, etc. The labor discipline
was remarkable in so far as no one
Intentionally evaded duty when his
turn came. Large special work com
mittees would be filled by volunteers
at the first call. This achievement
was not accomplished by a strict
hand Of authority being held over the
! students. n was just the opposite.
The conduct and administration OF
student affairs was in the hands of a
student committee, composed of ten
members. The rules were few. No
unnecessary restrictions were impos-
ed on the students. No smoking in
the hall, no trespassing thru the kitch-
en-, everyone in his living quarters at
ten o'clock except on special occa-
sions when the student body would
set the time to be in, these were three
of the most important. When the
committee brought these rules in for
approval there was long discussion
before they were accepted. The ma
ture of the discussion showed that the
student body really felt that the com
mittee was their representative body
rather than an authority put over
them. The concensus of opinion was
in order to study we must have plenty
Of sleep; therefore, the ten o'clock
rule was good; it insured us sleep
against our natural inclination to stay
out late at times.
What would happen If the rules
were broken? Occasionally they
were broken. Some young fellow
would come rushing home five or ten
minutes after ten. His clock had
tailed him, or else the road had de-
ceived him. Now, such mis-demean.
ors did not require action by the stu
dent committee. These beIated and
unfortunate homecomers would re-
ceive the necessary correction at the
hands of his roommates. A cold duck
in the creek would cool his heated
brow AT each living quarter of the
boys there was code of house rules
which the occupants themselves had
drawn up and for breaking of each
rule there was the designated punish
ment. These rules also included the
ten O'Clock law Of the school. Duck
ing was the universal form of punish
ment for it was both effective and
enjoyable (for the duckers).
Thus our life at Waino was organ.
led, This description is quite gener.
al and mechanical, but from II one
can get an idea of how we spent our
pastime. accomplished our routine
work, and at the same time kept our.
selves healthy and ready for study.
There are other phases of our life that
were not touched on; such as washing
clothes, taking steam baths. receiv.
ing mail, etc. Each one Of these items
was done in unique and interesting
way-peculiar to Waino Hall. But
these phases Of our activities were
not organized and therefore were not
dealt with. Our social life conducted
thru the above described organiza.
tion was a big part OF our education.
outside of ouriactivity and study In
the class room. Thru It we learned
self-discipline,l responsibility to our or.
ganization, group living, and lastly.
practical organization functions that
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