Show ht 2 I 1 j i editorial comment i i M 4 t democracy and the public school in tho the midst ol of preparations tor for military assault upon autocracy in behalf of democracy the civil branches ot of our government are not neglecting moans means for the advance of democracy in america in the bureau of education in particular we see eee efforts in this direction in ic recent addresses before p teachers associations dr henry E jackson a representative ot of the bureau of education has pointed out the opportunity for utilization of public school houses in extension of the democratic spirit ot of america he asserts as every one will agree upon reflection that the public school Is the great democratic bisti I aution of the united states it is the institution where rich and poor regardless gard less of religion les or station meet upon an absolute equality because it Is the one great democratic institution dr jackson thinks it should be used more extensively tor for governmental purposes lie he remarks that the ballot box is the great emblem of democracy in america but that we usually relegate that box to the least pleasant surroundings on the day the american people assemble to exercise their powers of sovereignty livery stables shops and abandoned shacks are too often the place where the ballot box is stationed dr jackson advocates the utilization ot of school rooms as polling places ile he says this would not only save enormous sums now paid tor for rentals ot of polling places but would do cuch to increase public appreciation of the sanctity of the ballot and bring the people of every corn community munty into close touch with the public school ile he declares that in new york city alone a year would bo be saved it if school houses were ere used as polling places ile he also advances the suggestion that political organizations should be either encouraged or required to make use of public school rooms for or their their meetings at present political organizations es especially in cities rent halls lor for ther assemblages the party that has the most money tor for rentals c can an therefore hold the most meetings and has advantage accordingly it if public school rooms were thrown open for or the holding of meetings for political discussion this expense would be saved and all pol poetical cal organizations would be placed upon an equality so far as the rental of 0 rooms for meetings is concerned moreover he contended the atmosphere mo sphere and association of the school room would bring to political discussion a higher tone and tend to instill in the minds of voters the feeling that their purpose in attending a political meeting Is not so much partisan advantage as gathering accurate information upon which to base judgment concerning issues involved in the welfare of our country dr jackson takes the view that our public school chouest hou est which represent an investment of about a billion and a half dollars are now utilized for only six hours hour a a day five days a week he says that so far as possible they should be utilized for social purposes tor for recreation entertainment and vocational training outside of regular school hours so BO that they shall bo be agencies tor for public service on an average of at least ten hours a day day while many people will see apparent difficulties in working out details he believes these can be easily overcome and that in a few years public le school houses will occupy a much more extensive place in our system of Pento democratic cratic government congressional hoshito to Nevis newspapers papers what would be thought of the patriotism and loyalty of the congress if its members should devote devote precious days and nights to devising ways and means by which tho the army and navy establishments might be hampered crippled cripple dx and made ineffective in the present present crisis Is it not literally true that after the army and navy the press of america Is the greatest asset for or national defense Is it not true that any effort to weaken to and to make ineffective the newspapers ca of the country is Is an effort to weaken the nation at war aside froin rom crushing military defeat in the war could there ho be any greater disaster to the causo cause of 0 american democracy than would result from taxing to the verge of ruin and restricting to the verge ot of impotency the newspapers 0 A merica america he who would from whatever motive mothe attack the press with a lew to destroying or curtailing its power and influence and service would hardly hesitate td betray the n nations interests in any other way it I 1 is a idle to contend that members of congress join a tight fight aimed to weaken the newspapers even to visit disaster upon many of them without a full realization ot of tho the intent the nature 0 of the assault for an attack attach upon the press is an attack upon the third arm of the u nations at ions defense patriotism would urge at this juncture in the count rys crisis crisi that the congress should take care that the institution of a free press be strengthened strengthen ed that the business of newspaper making should be safeguarded gu bom from unjust burdens of taxation so bo that tho the influence and power of the press might grow instead of diminish in the hour of the na tonal need the press of america asks nothing from the congress Con grobs but justice a recognition of I 1 the nature of the service it is rendering and may render to the government in the successful prosecution odthe war and immunity from the studied hostility of those reactionaries in public life who regard an independent and fearless newspaper as a personal menace to themselves editor and publisher |