Detroit evening times., 1945-03-07
BEHIND
THE NEWS
BY Paul
MaIlon
WASHINGTON, March G.
" Biggest industry, by far, in

the Unlted states IS eduCdtlOn.
In plant this nation has in
vested Sl4,223, ,4S9 ,9S5 G94o fg-
ure from the United States
Office of Education) compared
with a paltry S2,750,O0O,0OO in
plant Of the No. | commercial
industry, motor vehicles, bodies
and parts.
We have put five times more
money into the value of educa-
tion production buildings from
kindergarten through college
than in our vast and fabulous
motors production, yet front
page readers rarely notice this
leading industry, and people
generally pay little attention TO
it, although they own the stock
in II.
Annual operating cost of edu-
cation is S3,2O3,547,5S6 (same
source, covering 1941-42), which
is more than half the total of
wages paid in every other in
dustrial area in 1889. Yet prac-
tically every day you notice
strikes and arguments about
industrial wages.
For those we have labor
boards, little steel formulas and
great political agitation and in
tereSt. In the nations largest
industry, into which the public
actually annually pays $2,67l,-
653,202, there is no comparable
interest - and no comparable
results.
THERE are other significant
Il distinctions. The nations
largest industry is not run by
business men.
County and city officials OPP
crate the bulk of il (their tax
payers furnishing S1.826. 937 .572
for the public sChools) while the
states furnished S979,539, 3
the federal government SS3, ,33S,-
030 and privately controlled
schools spent S55l 99S, ,S64 call
f94f-f9f2 figurest.
The federal government, fur
-thcrmnre- vigorously Iy-tp-
control initiation and defatlon in
all industries, excepting on ! y
this one, the biggest, A great
watch is kept -on-the security
salaries and management of all
businesses, except this one.
The school textbook conces-
SionS must constitute a tremen-
dous business, but no commits
Sions nationally watch it.
Postwar planning for industry
is a primary occupation now,
but this one is neglected except
ing that more federal funds for
building more schools are 10 be
provided. The industry is prac-
tically unrepreSented in Wash
ington except for a few lobbying
organizations seeking appropria-
ton. and these are not man
aged by business men - indeed
they could not furnish me with
the figures above quoted.
I THINK il is clearly suggested
i by the outer evidence that
this industry is the least we'll
managed as well as the least at
tended 10.
1t is time the stockholders in
this business started paying
more attention TO their invest
ment. 1t is time also that ma
tional leaders. citizens and even
government started recognizing
the VaStneSS of the industry, its
financial influence, its economic
effects. as we'll as the efficiency
of its production, rather ( h n
leaving all this authority and
control spread around loosely
and not only uncontrolled but
unadviSed IN various unCo-ordl-
mated hands.
II is time also that the work.
erS in that industry. the teach
ers, realize that they are IN the
largest industry and more ag-
greSsively protect their eco
nomiC rights and defend their
leading political and economic
position
/ certainly do not mean by
this that they should Join a union,
and particularly not A union
nationally or internationally
controlled by workers in lesser
industries or their leaders, and
pay tribute with high initiation
fees and dues for the privilege
Of such leadership, which might
he far from the best with which
they could provide themselves.
EOR any group involving in
Il telleCtual dlfferenti | on
and attainmcntS, / do not be-
lleve unions answer the need for
leadership. For girls in a fac
tory doing uniform work al the
same machines, the leveling
process Of unionism fits we'll
But for teachers, doctors, law
yerS. writers - professions in
which the ideal Of individual
achievement must he main
tanned and brllliance rewarded
I do not favor unionization,
but | do favor the earnest
search for wise leadership.
So ! think the teachers should