Evening star., 1933-02-03

With the survey of school facilities,
conducted under the direction of Con-
gress, revealing that large numbers of
children lack proper elementary educa-
ton, national attention is directed to
the question of the relation of schools
to governmental economies. Coupled
with the recognition of the fact that
expenditures for education can and
should be cut without reducing the sys-
TENS efficiency is a widespread demand
that proper facilities be provided for the
preparation of the country'S youth for
future citizenship. That serious prob
lem is presented, especially with regard
to State and local finances, is generally
agreed.
1.-THE schools are legitimately subject
to retrenchment." in the opinion Of the
San Francisco Chronicle. but not to
crjppling. Other expenditures can be
postponed with no permanent injury to
any one. The childrens schooling can
not be postponed. If they do not get it
all. Their childhood and youth cannot
be postponed to a later date If the
schools should be crippled the loss
would be permanent to this generation
Of children. At the same time there
can be large amount of retrenchment
in the schools. New building can be
stopped. 1t has been already. There
are plenty of school activities that can
be curtailed for the time being. But
not the fundamentals Of schooling. They
are the irreducible minimum. Teachers
salaries in most places have already
been cut. Teachers, like all the rest of
us, have to find their due place in a
world of narrowed income. Yet this
does not mean that teachers should be
slashed out of proportion. That would
be. not to put them on like footing
with the rest of us, but to make them
the victims of the rest of us. Teachers.
generally speaking, have not been paid
labor and for the expensive preparation
we have come to require Of them"
X
mo adult who appreciates the brief
span of a generation" according to the
Louisville Courier-Journal. will deny
that the preparation of future citizens
is at least as important as the improve
ment of economic conditions. The World
War was but yesterday and the boys
who were in it are middle-aged. Europe
is passing into the hands of genera
tion with only childhood recollections
of pre-war days. In 20 years American
thought and action will be dominated
by those to whom the stock market
boom Of the 1920's will be a second
hand tale The report, however. as It
was intended to be, is constructive. 1t
does not call for more taxes. but more
equitable distribution and economy in
expenditure. The commission believes
that the State must assume the burden
of supporting the schools. Perhaps So
but first economies must be introduced.
If it Is fair that the entire wealth of a
State should offer equality Of oppor-
tunity everywhere, 1t is only fair that
the expense should be made as light as
possible.
I'VE of today are accustomed to
schools" says the Sioux Falls Daily
Argus-Leader. I'VE accept them and
are not able to realize their full worth
because we have never been without
them. The situation Is the same as
that Of electric Illumination. The young
generation of this age does not quite
understand what the electric lights
use kenosene lamps. Now we notice q
great onslaught upon educational costs
It has been discovered that schools take
q large sEce of the taxpayers dollar
There is a great cry for economy and
the ak, we are told. must fall where
1t will be effective. But let us use this
ak with understanding and caution
There should be wise and sensible
economy in the schools. There are some
extracurricular services that can be
eliminated. Some expenses can be re.
duced. The times require such retrench.
ment as we can psDpe-iy make. In com
ue7 with cS;a<r He<3l:c facilities. the
zsla<als nATe. 10 <Ehbt %yveloped some