Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-06
EDUCATORS PRAISE
ORATORY CONTEST.
10000 Washington High
/ School Students Enrolled
| in National Competition.

Stephen Il. Kramer, assistant super
antendent Of District schools: Miss
Sarah Simons head Of English instruc-
ton in the high schools, and George J.
Jones. In charge Of high school social
science instruction. today highly m
dorsed the National Oratorical Contest.
sponsored in this region by The Star,
and notified contest headquarters OF the
enrolment of the 10000 students under
their jurisdiction in the preliminary
phases of the proiect-the preparation
of papers dealing, from various SelectlVe
angles, with the Constitution.
AS q result of this decision every
student at Central Western, Eastern.
Mckinley Manual Training and Busl-
ness high schools will be required as a
part of the regular English course to
write composition on the Constitution.
High standards will be required and
the work will entail research work and
study for the students to become thor
oughly conversant with their subjects.
Sees Healthy Influence.
Mr.. Kramer emphasized particularly
che healthy influence such study of the
principles of American Government viii
have on the minds of young Washing
tonians, faced as they are at this time
with radical propaganda and COM
munistic theories.
REPORTS from the high schools midi
cate that great interest is being taken
this year in the Oratorical Contest,
he said I'VE hope by the cooperation
of the history and English departments
to have every child thoughfully con-
slider the topics set forth for the con-
test and each pupil write at least brief
article ON one of the topics.
"At o time when criticism OF our
Government Is freely INDUCED In and
the claim is being made that many
of dur youth are sympathetic with
such criticisms, it seems very appropFi-
should be directed to consideration Of
the fundamental principles of our Gov
eminent and to the safeguards provided
for the individual in our Constitution"
Miss Simons, under whose direct
supervision the majority of the con-
testants will participate. said she was
sglad to advise that the list of Sug-
gested subjects for orations, contained
In the contest rule booklet. fits well
with the curriculum prescribed in my
English courses.
with subjects Of such vital impor-
tance-which they are enabled TO.
discuss not only In English but also
in history and civics classes-the stu
dents in the public high schools of the
city should benefit greatly In preparing
this particular assignment during the
coming month"
Held Aid to Citizenship.
Mr.. Jones, in indorsing the contest
as an outstanding contribution toward
better and more intelligent citizenship,
declared:
"The republican institutions came to
us and have been secured for us at
great cost We accept our liberties very
much as matter of course in the same
minimizing and unquestioning spirit in
which we enjoy the sunshine and the
air. The rights other men struggled to
obtain and paid for in sacrifice are now
our heritage There is always danger
that some may not appreciate their lib
critics.
ct is the special duty of social
science teachers to inspire pupils with
faith In this Government and also TO
tnstill in their minds an understanding
that success in republican government
depends upon an alert, active and in
telligent citizenship.
students in senior high schools
should acquire both an understanding
of and q faith in our republican insti-
buttons. The great men who estab-
lished this Government had faith in its
success. How much greater our faith
should be in the Government we have
today after nearly $50 years of, un-
paralleled success. Would it not be well
TO emphasize In our teaching the bless
ings and advantages we enjoy today as
compared with the turmoil, poverty and
suffering prevalent in other parts of the
world?"