Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-04
Opportunity Drought
For Youth Studied
By Educators
Aubrey Williams Denies
VI. S. Aid Undermines
New Generation
~ the Associated Press.

b the Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 4.-Prob-
lens of the Nations youth, caught
- with nothing but time in
world of mechanical wonders" drew
the attention of delegates of the
National Education Association to-
day.
Aubrey Williams, chief of the Ma
tional Youth Administration, in a
prepared address told the delegates
to the associations seventy-seventh
annual convention that young
people today were 'in a much
tougher situation than were their
grandfathers." and termed as stuff
and nonsense" the contention that
youthful moral fiber was under
mined by Government aid.
He advocated more individual
treatment of students, and in urging
more courses in current history he
criticized school boards and admin
istrators who fear the impact of
current happenings upon young
minds
Sees Opportunity Barred.
MIR. Williams cited that improved
means of production and lack of
free land were among factors caus-
ing millions of people to struggle
desperately, pitifully, helplessly. with
all gates of opportunity visible to
them closed" and said the fact
hnf
100000 young people unemployed,
out of school, and seeking employ
ment doesn't seem fully realized"
He said the latter condition has
been gradually coming on us for
decades
In commenting that persons in
the middle of lifes span have and
undoubtedly should have first call
upon all available employment" Mr.
Williams said there is every good
reason why we should extend the
years devoted to instruction. - ="
Urges Understanding.
Floyd w. Reeves, chairman of
President Roosevelt's Advisory Com
mittee on Education, said he was
presenting his personal views" in
suggesting that there are deep
cleavages of philosophy = be-
tween teachers and social workers."
and that until there is greater
mutual understanding. all our efforts
to solve the educational and welfare
problems of youth will be greatly
handicapped"
Mr.. Reeves also said, in COM
mending the G. c. c. and National
Youth Administration, that studies
had borne out the belief that young
people on relief needed special
supervision and assistance
The estimated $4,000 delegates
last night witnessed a historical
pageant of the West, produced by
the San Francisco public schools,
and attended reception for the
associations president, Reuben T.
Shaw of Philadelphia, who earlier
advocated Federal assistance for
schools in recognizing that demo-
cratic educa ton is the most
important phase of our internal
program of national defense"
Cites Sch0Olless Children.
He cited that there were 1890 900
children of elementary and high
school age who were not in school,
most of them because schools were
not available for them. and said
among these groups will be found
our future great mass of criminals"
Reports of committees and the
nomination of new officers were
items for today's initial general ses-
sion. Scores of departmental meet
ings and those Of allied organiza-
tons also were under way.
Tonight, principal addresses will
be given by Representative Noah
Mason of Illinois, member of the
Dies Committee. on 1T Is Happen
ing Here" and Senator Ebert D.
Thomas of Utah on Are We Going
to Lose Our Heritage of Civil Lib
erties?"