Evening star., 1948-11-23
Letters to Ne Star
A Tribute to Teachers

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A Tribute to Teachers
To the Editor Of The Star:
1t was my privilege recently to watch
fourth grade class in 3 public school OF
Washington at work on its usual daily schedule
Several things impressed me: First, the
informal yet intensely interested attitude OF
these youngsters in the subjects under dis
cusson. Second the fact that the class ap-
parently imposed its own discipline under the
skilful direction Of the teacher. Third, that
modern, highly improved techniques have been
developed in our public schools.
Here was no birch rod rule. no placing OF
pupils in long rows OF uncompromising desks
under imposition of strict silence. Every child
in the class was an integral part Of keen,
ont bali group learning things and go
ing places.
Maybe the class visited is an exceptional
one, possibly the teacher Of that class is an
exceptionally able one. At any rate couldn't
help feeling that young America Is In good
hands, and that we older ones should strength
en- those hands in every possible way-by more
suitable compensation and by universal rec
ognition of the difficult job they are handling
so ably HARRY r. LEE,
Blames Car Manufacturers
To tn. Editor of The Star:
Since when has 1t become crime TO oileI
a tin or to accept one? It's an old American
custom. II a potential auto buyer wants 10
present a salesman with o handsome honor
srum what Is wrong with that? We tip walters
every day. What is wrong is that the manufac-
turer loads the car with so many unessentlal
| accessories. 1t all adds up to several hundred
| dollars. and the buyer, who once believed the
| only extras were seat covers radio, spare tire
| heater. clock, or oil filter, now finds himself
| paving for transportation charges on the car
| from the factory for bumper guards, foam rub
ber cushions, compartment lights, wheel rings
local delivery charges and handling" $40
| polish job including gas" etc.
| since the war. car manufacturers adroity
| avoided publishing prices in their ads-ln
other words, they gave the dealer the go
sign which plainly said: Get all the traffic
will bear" What else could the dealer DO?
| He was on the verge Of starvation when the
war ended.
| The dealers soaking the auto-buying suckers
are not entirely to blame. They know now to
"sell" the extras, but many citizens have
been forced into take it or leave it" PROPOSE
ton, and have been hooked. They do not like
1t, and while there may be reputable dealers
~--
of the oldest and most reputable CD dealers
| has left a. bitter taste in my mouth-a taste
'Nthat only a refund on certain extras Will
mitigate. BENJAMIN DUN
| Reliaion in the Schools
To the Editor of The Star:
One thing YOU have to say for The Star
it never gives up noticed the other oay
! another editorial blasting the decision OF the
Supreme Court on religion in the schools
of Champaign, ILL.,, and asking for its reversal
| when another case comes up. can see no
Justification for this stand.
| The taxpayers Of any State must maintain
school buildings pay salaries to janitors, teach
ers and administrative officials. For this they
expect, and should get, the best possible edu-
cation possible for the youth OF their States
In nv opinion they should not be asked to
. pay teachers, janitors, and principals, as well
as the other costs of school maintenance, while
the students are off In some other building
attending classes in religion-classes that
should be held on Sunday.
Churches in the United States are aided
financially with tax exemptions. People are
permitted, and in many cases urged, to take
| advantage of their right to go to whatever
church they might prefer; most of us do take
w
force other people to do the same. Complete
religious freedom includes the right to attend
religious services and contribute to religious Or
sanizatio it also includes the right to stay
| at home and not contribute.
The use Of tax money for the support Of
religious instruction-whether directly or in
directly-constitutes in my opinion forced
| contribution. No one would suggest that We
| subsidize churches; why should the program
Of the churches be supported in the public
schools with the taxpayers money?
GEORGE M. ALDRIDGE.
For Federal Education Program
| 70 the Editor OF Tn. Star:
The tremendous necessity for educational
reforms has become evident in the past rev
years. The President of the United States has
proposed to expand and modernize our con-
temporary educational institutions.
To institute this program, we need De-
| partment of Education In our national Govern
ment. Through this department. the Federal
Government would operate all of the puoiic
grammar schools and high schools In the
country. 1t would be the duty Of the Depart
ment of Education to:
U) Provide active, competent teachers
capable of molding our children into outstand-
| ing world leaders.
| ca Stabilize teachers salaries by giving
ratings to teachers like present Government
employees ratings, with steady promotions ana
! raises in salary.
| 90 Provide a generous system of retirement
! for teachers.
|, % Construct modern, spacious school
buildings, But remember: The best school
building is useless without vigorous teachers.
10 Provide adequate schooling in rural
areas as well as in urban areas.
O Formulate completely new course OF
study requiring subjects like philosophy, psy-
chology, sociology, economics, psychosomatic
medicine, and theology. 1t would be acknowl-
edged that subjects like English and mathe-
matics are merely the tools with which true
knowledge Is gained: that subjects like these