The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-08-07
YOUTHFUL DRAFTEEs

community.
YOUTHFUL DRAFTEES
have letter which brings up a
point that I have wanted to discuss
in this column before. At one Of
my press conferences I was asked
whether I would approve Of the
drafting of boys in the Is and 49,
year-old group. Frankly, of course,
I hope we will not be forced to do
this, because ! feel that it is i'm
portant, where boys show aptitude
for further education, that they
should have an opportunity to ac-
quire it. 1t is probable that in times
of war where boys are not anxious
for more education, they will en-
list since after the age of IS, enlist
ment is possible. If it does become
necessary, however, to use younger
boys on a draft basis, ! think it
should be done with the greatest dis
elimination.
This mother who writes me from
Atlantic City, N. j., points out that
her older boy had three years Of
earning his own living before he en-
listed at the age Of 81. imagine
that during those three years, she
felt that he was safe-guarded by the
fact that he was living at home
and therefore could be watched over
by his family. On the other hand
she feels that her younger boy, who
is IS, has never been anywhere ex-
cept where his family has taken
him; so if he were thrown with a
mixed group today, he would not
have the experience to know good
companions from bad, and might
succumb to the influences which
three years later would not touch
him. In other words, she feels that
her 18-year-old boy is still a child,
and this, of course, is true in many
cases. e.e
That is why I think draft boards,
considering boys Of this age, will
have to consider first their physical
development. Many an 18-year-old
boy is strong enough to stand the
strain. Others might not be. Sec
ondly, mental and moral develop
ment are important factors to be
considered. These two things will
depend largely on the types of
schools and homes in which these
boys have been brought up. If they
have been sheltered and made some
what too dependent upon their ell
ders, it would be too great hard
ship to plunge them Immediately
into military service, and they
should probably have some inter-
mediary preparation.
NEW STUDENT OUTLOOK
NEW YORK; left Asneville.
N. c., one afternoon, after a very
interesting and pleasant visit to the
International Student Service sum-
mer institute there.
Asheville college, which has
housed the. institute, was started
about so years ago by the Rev. Mr..
Pease, who founded the Five Point
mission in New York city. When he
retired he bought farm near Ashe-
vile and shortly thereafter he and
his wife took in five mountain girls.
to help them obtain an education.
From that little beginning grew
Asheville Normal Teachers college,
which was UNCONVENTIONAL college.
largely supported by church funds,
up to a very short time ago.
Most of its students come from a
radius of a hundred miles around
Asheville and belong to the proverbi-
ally large families of mountaineer
farmers. The curriculum, therefore,
has been arranged chiefly to meet
their needs-home-making, hand
crafts, business course, and
courses which would prepare them
to teach in the country schools.
These have been the things which
these young people wanted and
have had. They look like a bright
and intelligent group, and not very
different from the youngsters in our
institute.
The college needs to find new
support, new friends who are inter-
ested in seeing that these young
people get more liberal education.
They are strong and fine, and they
are deserving of help in the educa-
tional field, even from people who
do not live in their own state.
A limited number of people have
been interested in the past, but the
college must make new friends, be-
cause the buildings need repairs.
and more teachers are required.
The president has fine conception
of what education for the world Of
tomorrow should be.