Evening star., 1932-09-27

gins at IS years of age with all the
pupils.
"ln Czechoslovakia, which has devel-
oped as an Independent nation entirely
since the war, the elementary school
for every one extends to IL and for
most to II years. The smaller group
who enter the eight-year secondary
school at IL years go on to college.
In Switzerland there is no central
administration of education. What
statistics Of schools there are. are
gathered by the secretary of the in
terror. The secondary school for the
Canton Of de Vaud begins at 10 years,
for the Canton of Suneva 1t begins at
IL years, with an elementary school
system continuing to II, and for the
Canton Of Geneye 1t begins at u years
There Is practically no uniformity due
to the fact that the people of Switzer-
land are partly French, partly German
and partly Italian.
THE Austrian system of education Is
so much like the German that it really
needs no further comment. They have
only an eight-year secondary school
system as against the German nine
year system. but both begin the Sec
ondary period at 10 years of age.
In Italy there Is q marked difference.
Italian compulsory School law makes it
necessary to attend only until one Is
-, If there is no school accessible. If
there Is school accessible he must at
tend until II. At II years old the sec
ondary school begins, ana while these
schools are varied, the regular school
which leads to the university consists Of
5-year gymnasium followed by q s.
year lycee. I did not VISIT Rome and so
did not consult the minister of educa-
tion, but do know that 10 years ago
next month the Fascist marched on
Rome and took possession of the gov
eminent. They at once made Giovanni
Gentle minister Of education and he
put into effect some Of the doctrines
which he had been preaching. The
Italian schools, for instance, have been
In that the Roman Catholicism Is the
religion taught in them, but it is not
taught by the priests. Lay teachers have
charge of it, The schools are also very
Fascist in their administration. On the
walls hang the pictures Of the King and
Mussolini along with the crucifix. In
general, the italian schools are trying to
| rebuild the Italian civilization ON the
model OF the best days OF ancient Rome.
In the northern part Of Italy where
visited, there was at each railway sta
ton when diseInbarked from the train
the only place in Europe IN which saw
this manifestation Of military power.
The cities all appear to be well gov
erned.
TOO Many Lawyers"
"Out of all this do we get any worth
while lesson for the United StatesP In
the first place, you will observe that
there is everywhere in Europe a marked
tendency to limit secondary instruction.
As q matter of fact, the positions which
require secondary education Of the type
given in European schools are those
places filled by about per cent of the
population. Generally they have about
10 per cent of the population in the
secondary schools. We had in the high
schools of this country the last yearstor
which statistics were available SO per
cent OF our eligible population in Sec
| ondary schools. When one takes into
consideration the sparsely settled areas
In the country. 1t means that rs or 80
from the elementary school into the
high school A great many of these are
mean? For few occupations we have
| figures. There are in this country to-
day more physicians per thousand peo-
pie than in any other country in the
world. Yet our medical schools are
strictly limited, 50 much so that some
OF our boys and girls 60 abroad to study
medicine. I do not believe that we need
any more medical schools or medical
departments in this country. I think
there are probably enough physicians
being turned out at the present time.
There are undoubtedly too many law
yerS, especially If they were ali prac-
ticing law. As matter of fact, great
many men who manage businesses are
trained In law and make their start in
that way. The American Bar Assecia-
ton is now attempting to limit the men
who can get into this field They have
! practically succeeded in shutting out
those who read law in an office and
then appear for the bar examination.
The evening schools also are in some
disfavor with the Bar Association, and
this occupation will be as limited as
medicine.
II can think of only one field in
which there may be q possibility of
more people being employed, and that
Is the field Of dentistry. As matter of
fact, practically everybody gives some
attention to his teeth. At the present
time there are not sufficient dentists In
the country to do this work If every one
had the money to have the needed work
done. But this is matter OF adjust
ment. In the course of a few years
there will be more dentists and cheaper
rates. I believe also that there will be
NOR clinics at which one may have his
! tsetff cared fo;. :.
secondary education. then, IS all q
question of whether America is ready
to accept education as worth while in
itself, and not put quite so much en-
t'phasis> on the dollars and cents value
Of it.
! Emphasis on Religion.
IT have . feeling that an education
should be worth while to carpenters
plumbers, brtcklayers, hodcarriefs and
In fact to every skilled tradeSman. I dc
4iot understand why il would hot be de-
sirable for these men to have cultural
civic education in addition to their vo-
cational skills. think the same prin-
ciple applies to business. Why would II
be Objectionable for the man who does
the dry cleaning to have in addition to
his knowledge Of his trade a good cul-
tural education? Or for the man who
delivers the groceries to ones home to
the grocery Business knowledge of how
the, Government of the, United States
works? I wonder how many people
|. really. know how. the government .o1
Their cities, the State and the Nation
Is actually carried On. Hers y . large
helA. for edueatiep- aAd epe which 4
RQW1ne dayftg. dN. y . Iqae NM1