Evening star., 1938-01-02

Vu11lS0IuHLS sHoW IIldt rlme-preVen
studies and character education ar.
not considered of primary Importance
IN most schools. The federation
would like to see this situation
changed. A resolution approvins
compulsory character education anc
crime studies in all schools was passed
at the meeting Of the council last
April in Tulsa, Okla.
The matter seemed so urgent that
Mrs John L. Whitehurst of Balti-
more, chairman of the department
OF education, decided to devote the
remaining months Of her administra-
tion to carrying out a campaign based
on this resolution. Since then she
has travelled all over the United
States, speaking before women's clubs
and other groups, keeping the objec-
tive continually before the public,
urging appropriate action and study
OF local conditions.
Because Of this recent emphasis.
Mrs. Whitehurst's report will be heard
with particular interest at the meet
ing of the board of the General Fed
Grafton to be held in Washington
January 13, IA and Is.
Although crime studies are stressed
IN the resolution, the entire field Of
character education and the present
problems Of youth are considered in
the program. One reason for concen-
trating on this issue now is to be
found in the unrest Of present-day
youth and the challenge to the demo-
cratic form Of government The
Federation believes that democracy is
seriously challenged and that 1t can be
preserved only through the proper
education of youth.
DR.. John L. Studebaker, United
States commissioner of education, has
said that Democracy is q race. be-
tween education and the chaos of
ignorance which supplants it with
dictatorship With this in mind,
club women are being urged to be on
the alert. not only as to what is being
taught in the schools, but also as to
the subtle encroachments of propa-
Handa. They are urged to study the
text books and collateral reading of :
1ered to young people and are re-
minded that many Of the so-called
youth movements" are in reality,
propaganda efforts which undermine
the belief in democratic government.
The movement in favor of COM
pulsory crime studies in all of the
schools. is based on the belief that
Through education crime can be halted
At its source The impressionable
period of childhood is spent principally
at home and at school. While it is
recognized that character forma ton is
such complex process that no one
factor can be said to control it, 1t is
felt that definitely directed studies,
can lend wide influence In this
belief, the Federation has the support
OF j. Edgar Hoover, director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, who
has stated that there is no reason why
education against crime should not
be primary factor in public schools.
Unemployment as a source of the
unrest OF present day youth has also
been considered by the Federation.
-Four million youths are said to be out
OF employment at present. The Fed
Grafton believes the community has
a definite responsibility toward these
young people. Three needs must be
met for these unemployed youths.
They must be kept occupied until
work is available, voca tional educa-
ton must be provided for young people
still in school and recreational facili-
ties must be furnished while they are
waiting for Jobs, to bolster their
morale.
In this connection the clubs are
urged to make sure that the money
provided for vocational training under
the George-Dean Act is properly ad-
ministered in their communities. This
act, which became operative July /,
authorizes an annual appropriation of
$l2,000,O00 for vocational training and
for the training of teachers.
These are some of the ways in
which the Department of Education
Is attempting to meet some present
day needs. The prospect of substan-
tial achievement lies in the fact that
the Federation has member clubs in
all parts Of the United States and in
can make toward improving conditions
when they are united for a cause.
The Entire Nous Club Is one of the
smaller member clubs of the District
Of Columbia Federation of Womans
Clubs. Its name was selected as be-
ing indicative of its intimate nature.
Club membership is limited to IS. It
was organized about 13 years ago at
the home Of Mrs. Charles P. Keyser,
who was made president and has
continued in that Office ever since.
The purpose of the organization is
to personally supervise philanthropies
for individuals brought to the at
tention of the club by its members.
This purpose has been consistently
carried out. Baskets are Allied for poor
families at Christmas time, bed bags
are provided for patients at Walter
Reed, and each year a dinner is given
at the E Street Y. w. c. A. by the
club for q group Of women from q
w. P. A. sewing project. Mrs James
\ Underwood is in charge Of the clubs