The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-07-25
CONFERENCE

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dicted that the state and federal
governments may adopt a vigor-
Gus program for rural betterment.
Among his predictions were that
provision will be made for the
buildings OF schools 10 serve as
community educational and recrea'
tional centers. increased direction
OF schools by county and state au-
thorities will be done with de-
creased freedom Of action by the
citizens and school board Of a
given district. and provision will
be made for a greater variety Of
vocational and avocational train
ing.
Schools Can Aid
The speaker gave q list OF the
possible contributions the schools
can make. Important among these
were that the school should aid
community undertakings designed
10 promote higher standards of
living, more adequate public health
services and generous recreation
al facilities. and should build good
will, friendliness, and cooperation
between children whose parents
may differ In race. nationality. Ian.
guage, and religion"
Dean Edmonson concluded, in
this period Of crisis as well as at
all times. teachers must be con.
stantly alert to protect Americas
freedom through an adequate pro.
gram OF democratic education for
all-the rich and the poor. the
bright and the slow, the native
sons and foreign born, the urban
and the rural"
Panel Discussion
His address was followed by a
panel discussion. the topic being,
Problems OF Rural Schools Arts.
ing from the Current National
Emergency. Charles Brake, dep.
uty superintendent Of schools,
Wayne County. IA chairman.
Other participants in the dis
cussion were William Eiker. com.
missioner Of schools in Monroe
County; Miss Otillia Frisch, COM
missioner OF schools In Saginaw
County: Mrs. Daisy Howard, COM
missioner OF schools in Genesee
County; Lyle Torrant, commission.
er OF schools in Jackson County,
and DR.. H. L. Turner. Of the COM
mission Of teacher education, Ian
sing. Ray Baker. Pontiac. took
the place Of Miss Ethel O'Connor,
Michigan State Normal College,
who had been scheduled as a mem
Der Of the panel.
At the interesting luncheon ses
sion In Charles McKenny Hall DR..
Eugene B. Elliott. state superin-
tendent Of public instruction, said
that the modern, complex network
of roads, automobiles, and radios
are helping to cement the Ameri-
people and are doing away
with the former great distinction
between rural and city people. DR..
Elliott reviewed the changes that
occurred in the field Of education
due to the last World War. He
pointed out that In many cases cul-
tural values were sacrificed for
race hatred. He told that the
teaching Of German was dropped.
Today Spanish instruction in our
schools is replacing French instruc-
ton, in order to help Western
Hemisphere relations. The exodus
from THE colleges and universi-
ties during the last was was great,
he said, and today the same thing
is happening because 30 many boys
have been drafted.
Want More Arts
DR.. Elliott stated that the rural
schools want more and better in.
dustrial and fine arts training and
1t should be given them. He said,
too, that 1t is important that there
be a closer cementing OF rela-
tions between the home and the
school.
President John NJ. Munson In
troduced the speaker.
At the second conference ses-
sion, Mrs. Daisy Howard presided
and introduced the first speaker,
DR.. James Glasgow. head OF the
geography department Of Mich.
igan State Normal College.
Dr. Glasgow spoke on The I'm
portance OF Jul Relations with
Latin American Nations to the
National Defense Program. He
pointed out that the things South
America does vitality concern
North America. We are BEGIN
ming to realize that we are com.
mitted to defend the Western Hem.
isnhere" he stafad Trade nrod.