eee Se ee reo 
April 28, 1916. 
“Goop Roaps EvERyYWHERE,” is the slogan of the 
National Highways association, which is back of a cam- 
paign to build one hundred thousand miles of National 
highways. The stupendous untertaking calls for the ex- 
penditure of approximately $375,000,000, or the equiva- 
lent of the cost of the Panama Canal. Comparison of the 
value of these two great means of travel is made by the 
association. It: maintains that the national government 
is justified in expending an amount for good roads equal 
to that spent on the great canal project because 99 per- 
cent of the people will benefit from the construction of 
national highways. The program is an ambitious one 
and its execution would undoubtedly mean greatly im- 
proved facilities for transportation, communication and 
ational unity. At first thought the cost is appalling, but 
when it is considered that the federalization of highways 
will remove a great burden from the states, counties and 
many towns, the cost does not seem prohibitive. States 
- may have a voice in determining routes in their territory, 
and yet a more systematic plan will be carried out under 
national supervision than under the present method. 
Roads planned for the benefit of the entire country have 
greater value for defense in time of war and for com- 
merce and travel in time of peace. Aside from the dan- 
ger of the “Pork Barrel” intruding itself into the build- 
ing program, the argument seems to be all in favor of a 
national system of highways. We here in New England 
have little conception of the poor highways—lack of 
highways, in fact—in other sections of the country. 
There is a great opportunity for federalized action along 
this line. 
A Crrcuiar ApprEssED to the members of Congress 
and the American public has been issued by the Bethle- 
hem Steel Company in argument against the proposed 
establishment of a Government Armor factory. The 
company maintains that its armor department has been 
operated for the benefit of the Government as a loss for 
a number of years, that the United States has bought 
its armor plate cheaper than foreign countries, that the 
company will agree to furnish armor plate at any price 
the government will pay and that its earning and opera- 
tions have been misrepresented by its enemies for years. 
One fact stated admits of no argument: the establishment 
of a government armor factory would mean the crippling 
of the private industries and in time of war the govern- 
ment factory with its proposed capacity of 20,000 tons a 
year would be inadequate. In fact under the estimates 
already fixed 24,000 tons a year are required. In the 
event of an increased estimate through “preparedness” 
acts the government factory would be hopelessly out of 
the running. 
Av tue Mass Mervtinc held in Boston on Wednes- 
day evening Grafton Cushing said that every American 
inadvertently has profited by the war by increased busi- 
ness and the gains thereof, by increased wages or by 
increased values of or dividends from investments and 
that these increased incomes to Americans places upon 
us a special duty to assist the organizations seeking to al- 
leviate suffering abroad. The argument is a good one 
and America is rising to the task with commendible en- 
thusiasm. 
THERE ARE PROBABILITIES now that the anthracite 
coal labor conditions may cause a strike. The eight weeks 
agreement is about ended and no adjustment of differ- 
ences has been agreed upon by the operators and work- 
men. 
NORTH SHORE BREEZE and Reminder 15 
AMERICAN ScHoots are the subject of continual criti- 
cism from a great variety of sources, seldom intelligent, 
usually prejudiced. There is much criticism by persons 
for social, economical and religious reasons, but not 
enough for the sake of fundamental educational improve- 
ment. That there is something which the American 
schools do no supply is acknowledged by educators, and 
a pamphlet is being prepared by the Bureau of Education 
containing the suggestions of Dr. Charles W. Eliot, presi- 
dent emeritus of Harvard University, relative to educa- 
tional deficiencies of the American schools. American 
schools, says Dr. Eliot, do not pay enough attention to the 
observational studies, such as the fundamental trades, cr 
to the sense-training studies of fine art. The use of ma- 
chinery has impared the educational value of many trades 
and the secondary schools do not provide enough oppor- 
tunity for the acquiring of skill of eye, ear or hand. In 
city schools this educator recommends manual training 
which would equip the student with an all-around ac- 
quaintance with tools and supply a sound body. In rural 
high schools he advocates agriculture as the best supple- 
mentary training. Dr. Eliot says, “Drawing and mus‘c 
are still regarded by many teachers and educational ad- 
ministrators as trival fads, whereas they are important 
features in the outfit of every human being who means to 
be cultivated, efficient and rationally happy.” When Dr. 
Wliot speaks it is with authority and his suggestions sel- 
dom fall on barren ground. 
Sravistics oF THE Massacnusrrrs Department of 
Health show that there were 10,000 babies died, under 
one year of age, in the Commonwealth last year. It is 
estimated that one-half of these deaths were preventable. 
This waste of human life is appalling to many thinking 
‘people and a determined campaign is under way to save 
the babies of Massachusetts. The department of health 
is the medium of the campaign and is co-operating with 
local boards of health and other organizations in arousing 
interest in the babies.. The meeting in the Price school, 
Manchester, this week was a part of the campaign to 
teach children, mothers and fathers how to keep well. 
Of course it is apparent that the highest mortality rate 
among infants is in the cities, but it is unfortunately true 
that the number of deaths even in the rural and suburban 
communities is greater than it should be and greater than 
it would be if more intelligent care was given to infants 
and growing children. Manchester takes pride in the 
fact that it is far below the average in infant mortality, 
but should look forward to the time when it will lead the 
state in conserving the health and lives of its babies. 
Ir rp AccoMPLISHED nothing else, the Massachusetis 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children during 
the year past has at least made a systematic analysis of 
approximately two thousand cases which have been han- 
dled. In 1033 instances, or 56 percent of the cases under 
observation, intemperance was found to be the cause of 
trouble in the home. Physical neglect, non-support and 
immorality in the order named were the next important 
causes for the intervention of the society on behalf of the 
children. Although 35 years ago the work of the society 
consisted in the protection of children from physical 
cruelty this abuse has decreased to such an extent that 
only 113 instances were found among the cases handled 
last year. The society has turned its efforts to a study 
of social degeneracy and is making a careful analysis and 
a detailed record of its findings. 
Tuer INCREASED Prices demanded for paper are prov- 
ing serious. In many cases the prices have increased 100%, 
