SCHOOL SCIENCEVOL. XXXIII, No. 8NOVEMBER, 1933WHOLE No. 289

A PLACE TO START

The school wrecking program of the United States Chamberof Commerce goes on. Many of its suggestedil economies^ havebeen put into operation: the school year has been shortened,subjects have been eliminated, teachers salaries have been re-duced. The next step is tuition fees in high schools, and col-leges.The appalling raids of greed and selfishness could not have

made such headway had the teaching force been united on aprogram which all teachers could defend. No external enemy isso dangerous as the enemy within. While it is certainly truethat the educational departments of our public schools are veryefficiently organized, in comparison with most business enter-prises, and the teaching force is more and more becoming a bodyof professionally trained experts, yet as in every profession thereexists a small minority that brings criticism and hardship uponthe entire institution.But the battle has only begun. The forces of public education

have lost the first skirmish. In the recent past some improve-ments were attempted without providing the proper machineryfor successful execution of the plans. Disastrous results followedand some reorganization is now necessary. In this reorganizationcertain obvious faults should be eliminated. Some of these arein the classroom; i.e. right at home. Classes are large, apparatusand books inadequate, extra-curricular and clerical demandsheavy, and a host of other excuses for poor work exists; but thepublic pays and hence has a right to demand an honest return.Moreover, the schools will get better support in combatting theforces of predatory wealth and vicious politics if teachers take

818 SCHOOL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

a leading part in correcting faults in all phases of educationalprocedure. A frequent inventory of personal habits is beneficial.Does our classroom technique economize the time of both teach-er and pupils? Have we adopted effective means of keeping pu-pils alert and thinking on the subject? Do we make definiteassignments and properly stimulate home study and reading?Is that study sufficiently directed? Are we making ample pro-vision for drill? Does the study outline contain sufficient pro-blem material for training in independent thinking?Beyond a few loud-complaining parents and pupils who seem

to be anxious only for grades, graduation and less responsibility,there are many who want a real job and a chance to do it well.A little sympathy, encouragement, inspiration, and finally anunrelenting demand for reasonable effort and achievement willinsure cooperation from the great majority of both parents andpupils. If we eliminate from our program and routine all thatwe cannot defend we shall soon have sufficient support to getimprovement now utterly beyond reach. America stands forpublic education supported on the basis of ability to pay. It isup to us to deserve that support and then to keep that idealconstantly in the public mind.

The salary of the president of the Pennsylvania railroad was recentlyreduced to a mere $60,000 per year, and at his own request in spite of theobjections of the board of directors�so it is reported in the press. Onepoint for us to consider is that we help to pay that $60,000 every time webuy a pound of crackers that traveled over the Pennsy.

Ten-thousand-dollar-a-year men are quite common in the utilities.Some of them are college graduates. How many university presidentsand school superintendents receive that much? Did you ever hear of ateacher getting that much? Yet these men have spent years in graduatepreparation for the greatest business of the Nation.

Are your taxes high? Electricity and gas are necessities. Some companyhas a monopoly on these commodities in your community. You are forcedto buy of that company. A state commission sets the price. Have youthought of that tax?

Is public education expensive? If you think so, try sending your boy orgirl to a private school.

Electric power costs on the average six to eight cents per kilowatt-hour.A federal investigating committee has proved that it can be produced anddistributed at a profit for less than half that price.