Evening star., 1941-11-30
Future of Endowed Education
In u. S. Described as PrecariOuS
Creation of Civilian Morale Service. Designed to
Improve Operation of Democratic Processes,
Called Impressive Idea
bp Felix Morley.

Education, deserves special notice on az
least three counts.
In the first place it is a new and as
yet relatively unpublicized venture, over
shadowed by more dramatic and costly
defense undertakings, but richly deserv-
ing of examination and criticism by the
public in whose behalf it is designed.
In the second place, the Civilian Mo-
rale Service starts from the assumption
that local and institutional autonomy in
all matters educational must be main
tanned. Countering the general trend
toward ralization this Federal en-
terprise admits ard asserts ti,9t educa-
ticl should never he a Federal function,
except insofar IS the Ccrtr2l govern
ment can serve as a cloaring h~u9c OF il
formation frd a co-Crd:n9t ting center
for local enterprise.
Civilian Morale Drive.
Last but not least, the Civilian Morale
Service is not designed as purely tenn
porary program to meet an immediate
emergency 1t is visualized as long
range effort to stabilize and improve the
operation of democratic processes, under
the leadership of educationa institutions
which certainly should feel strong
sense of responsibility for preservation
of the American system of government
President Roosevelt had these consid-
erations in mind when, on September 2
he suggested that the Federal commits
sioner of education should "inaugurate an
appropriate educational program de-
signed to help students and adults in un-
derstanding the many complicated prob
lens of these critical times
From that suggestion has developed
the School and College Civilian Morale
Service, which seeks TO utilize the ex-
tensive experience of educational leaders
in organizing and administering pro-
grams for the study and discussion of
problems of common interest" with the
particular objective of serving the gen.
eral adult population through forums,
study and discussion groups, and organ
lZed courses of reading"
basic part of the entire plan as now
outlined by Dr. John w Studebaker. the
commissioner of education is that its
operation. which is completely unsub-
sIdized, shall be wholly in the hands of
local colleges, schools and libraries.
This means that there will be many
variations from the central idea as at
present proposed. But it may be pre-
Gicted that for the colleges this central
idea will not be essentially modified 1t
iS rn h
themselves, and with their communities,
in establishing discussion and study CEN
ters. and in otherwise forwarding and
directing adult education in such meas
ure as the individual institutional set-up
permits.
Objects of Program.
This is an impressive idea 1t aims
to bridge the regrettable gulf which has
come to divide town" and gown" in
many a college community It aims to
help in meeting that ardent thirst for
dispassionate learning which still hap
PLY characterizes the American people.
1t aims to return to those traditions of
cooperative enterprise which character
lied our democracy in more resolute
stage of its development.
And it may be noted that whether
the idea comes to fruition depends not
on the Government. but wholly on the
communities. Take it or leave it is, in
this instance, the attitude of Washing
ton.
In all probability, particularly con-
sidering the dynamic, persuasive and
tactful character of Commissioner Stude-
baker, the Civilian Morale Service will
catch on, though with varying degrees of
success in different localities.
There is no disputing the underlying
principle that morale in a democracy
should be encouraged by methods pre-
cisely opposite to those of totalitarian
ministry of public enlightenment" And
there is deep wisdom in the thought that
those educational institutions which are
completely free from State control should
be. for this country, the spearhead of
the effort which, for NaZi Germany, is
centered in the hands of DR.. Goebbels.
Along this or some similar line, may
we'll be found the path of direct social
contribution which many think must be
rendered by endowed education if it is to
maintain its prestige and prerogatives in
the difficult years ahead.