Evening star., 1942-02-22

1898, the United States was at war
with Spain. In 1918 the United
States was at war, and now, "a years
later, we are concentrating all our
efforts on winning the most calami-
tous war the world has ever seen.
During World War I the National
Congress contributed much to the
well-being of the youth of the coun-
try, albeit it was far from the power
full organization it is today. When
Mrs. Arthur Watkins assumed the
position of executive secretary in
1919 there were less than $4,000
members. Today that number has
been extended until it is well over
two and half millions. which means
that the parent-teacher association
is the strongest organized group in
the country.
Constructive Ideals.
The parent-teacher association is
unique in that its sole purpose is
constructive. 1t has no object other
than to promote education and to
further the interests of children and
youth. Because it is founded on a
completely unselfish platform, no
Just criticism of its motives has
ever been made, but it has con-
tinued to advance in effectiveness
and importance, steadily and surely
through all these years.
Now that the United States Is
called upon to prepare for all-out
defense. the National Congress of
Parents and Teachers (and when
that term is used, it embraces every
member of every local association in
the country is slanting its program
in that direction, and from present
indications, the service 1t will render
during the coming months-or years,
as the case may be-will be one OF
which the National Congress may
well be proud.
Already the National Congress has
issued a special war extra OF its
monthly bulletin, wherein are con-
tanned many concrete helps and sug-
gestions for defense participation.
Among the projects suggested for
local association participation are:
Conservation of clothing and
household materials, with an educa-
tional campaign to acquaint house.
keepers with the possibilities along
this line: gardens for victory, in
cluding both home gardens and
school or community gardens; "ac-
tive participation in the Victory
Book campaign; appointment of
block mothers in an effort to reach
every home and to protect every
child in case of war emergency, to
correspond with the Defense Coun-
ellis block wardens," and last, but
not least, there is active participa-
ton to safeguard the Nations
health.
Three-Part Health Program.
So far as the parent-teacher as
sociation is concerned, these health
plans are divided into three parts:
Nutrition. immunization and elm
ination of venereal diseases. The
nutrition program Is well under way,
and inmunization against smallpox
Is. of course, compulsory in the
District. But immunization against
diphtheria, typhoid and tetanus is
also suggested, because should there
be wounds caused by bomb frag-
ments, tetanus is probability, and
should there be broken water mains,
typhoid may develop. Parent
teacher associations are urged by
the National Congress to help in
disseminating information about
venereal disease, and are urged to
cooperate in every possible way to
provide wholesome recreation, which
is the only acknowledged antidote
for vice.
AS concrete evidence of the partic-
ipation by the National Congress in
the war defense effort, 5000 of
endowment funds have been invested
In Defense bonds. Here in Washing
ton a number of local associations
have bought or are buying bonds;
indeed, a class in the Kenilworth
School reversed the procedure and
earned enough money to buy bond
for the local association.
So it would seem that once again
the parent-teacher association will
take a vital and important part in
promoting and preserving the well
fare of this Nation, and in so doing
we feel that we who are carrying on
the work of the founders may, IN
rome small measure, be worthy OF
the trust that has been reposed in us.
At the annual founders day cele-
bration Of the District of Columbia
Congress of Parents and Teachers
at the Stuart Junior High School
Tuesday evening, memorial candle
lighting ceremonies were held.
Mrs. L. H. Brown, former State
historian, lighted a candle for Mrs.
Giles Scott Rafter, and Mrs. Louise
Fraser, the original student-aid
chairman, honored the memory OF
Mrs. Joseph N. Saunders. Mrs. An
drew Stewart, in lighting the candle
for Mrs. Louis B. Castell, who died
October II, 1941, paid tribute to
{ the achievements of Mrs. Castell.
= Past presidents present were Mrs.
Walter B. Fry and Mrs. C. D. Lowe,
as we'll as Mrs. P. c. Elicit, present
incumbent.
: A pageant, depicting the history
of the organization, was written