The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-12-27
EDUCATION PROGRAM
IS Held BENEFICIAL
Economist Says investment in
lligence Is Best Made
by Government
BY Earl e. Muntx PhD., Professor Of
Economics, New York University

ECO0OmlCSs new xOfk U0lvef9aty
A year ago many reformers were
consoling millions Of depression-rid-,
den Americans with the discomfort
ing notions that our capacity to con-
sumo had reached its zenith, and
that our real problem was one Of
creating planned economy which
would enable us to keep production
for the future down to the more or
less arbitrary depression standards Of
consumption prevailing at the time.
In many respects these or similar
democratic views we're vaguely in
corporated In the New Deal. Yet,
at the same time, q peculiar incon-
sistency appeared In the efforts CT
the federal government to stimulate
education, primarily vocational edu-
cation, which has for direct result
better and more efficient producers.
With the passage Of time old-fash-
toned common sense IS coming once
more to the forefront and Is causing
us to unscramble planned and regi-
mented economy which didn't work.
Thus the inconsistency just noted
disappears and makes 1t easier for
us to appraise the economy Of more
education.
Advantages Are Manifest
Let us note briefly the advantages
OF q wide spread and relatively high
level Of education. l. It leads to
greater emotional stability In q peo-
pie. An educated populace is more
capable Of weighing economic and
political alternatives and is less likely
to overtprn existing social and econ
omic structures In unreasoned panic
and fear, or resentment. 2. It les
sens the hold Of the demagogue and
renders dictatorship q more remote
possibility. 3. It increases the In
ventiveness and the productivity Of q
people, and thereby makes possible
greater consumption and higher
standards OF living.
With the above facts in mind an
inquiry into educational expansion
during the depression Is in order.
The federal government has continued
its participation in promoting indus
trial and agricultural education in
accord with the smith-Hughes Act
and the George.Reed Act. In addi>
ton vast program Of emergency
education has been undertaken
through the F. E. r. A. At the
outset work relief was to be provided
for unemployed teachers in their pro-
LESSONS. That necessitated classes.
Regularly employed teachers were
providing for students Of school age,
SO the r. e. r. A. proceeded to de-
velop . noncompetitive educational
program. Thus funds were appro-
priated for eQuipping and stating
nursery schools and kindergartens
and for rural school extension. The
adult has been aided by F. E. r. A.
funds through additional vocational
training facilities, vocational rehab-
ilitation and adult classes for nlit-
crates. Vocational training Is de-
signed to adjust persons for employ
ment In general trade and industrial
occupations, in agriculture and COM
merce. Rehabilitation is for unem-
ployed adults who are physically
handicapped or who need additional
training in work opportunities. The
current year has witnessed financial
aid extended to 96,308 needy college
students in 1865 colleges and univer-
stiles and involves q monthly expen-
iture Of nearly one and one half mil
lion dollars.
100000 People Reached
General adult education is another
important step. In this category are
to be found federal assistance for
workers education developed by and
sponsored by labor groups; summer
schools for women workers; parent
education: and broad educational pro.
grams undertaken by local commit
tees with FERA assistance. In the
latter group there Is . multitude Of
subjects, ranging from the purely cul-
tural to the most practical Of unit
teade courses for both men and
women and older boys and girls.
Indications are that the emergency
educational program has reached this
year some 100000 people whose edu-
cational requirements were In no way
covered by the regular state or local
educational systems. Expenditures
are estimated to be at the rate Of
two million dollars per month, small
outlay compared with other recovery
expenditures, may Of which will have
no lasting effect. The benefits Of
this supplementary education cannot
be measured accurately In money
terms. There IS, however. little ques-
ton as to the long range value Of
such education from the standpoint
Of social and economic well being. It
is probably the governments best de-
preston bargain.