nine to twelve, or the "pre-scout" age. Judge Ben B. Lindsay is Honorary President, and Frederick M. Davenport, Hon. Oscar S. Straus, and M. Woolsey Stryker are Honorary Vice Presidents. The program had been given a thorough trial in a large number of troops amid varying conditions and environments before the present form was determined upon. Active assistance is being rendered by such leaders in boys' work as Miss Jessie Bancroft, Prof. Daniel Chase, Dr. C. Ward Crampton, Dr. Luther H. Gulick, Prof. Herman J. Norton, Mr. Richard Welling, Dr. Frank H. Wood, and Dr. Thomas D. Wood. It has been adopted quite extensively, particularly by New York State School systems in connection with their Physical Training Law.

The aim of the Pioneers is to merge all existing local clubs of boys of the age covered into a national organization whose program represents the best expert thought available. The activities are primarily those of supervised recreation. A system of advancement in rank has been devised to stimulate the boy to qualities of strength, cleanliness, truth and unselfishness. The motto is "Never Turn Back!" The oath, arranged by Miss Bancroft, is "On my honor as a Pioneer, I will do my best to be clean in speech, in play, and in life, and to be true to others." The characteristic of the suit is a dark green jersey. The appeal to the boy is thru play, leadership, and desire for manliness. It is interesting to note that women as well as men may be leaders, or "Pathfinders." At the age of twelve the boy is expected to join the Boy Scouts, or some other good organization for older boys. Any who desire handbooks, etc., should address National Headquarters, Pioneers of America, Hamilton, College, Clinton, N. Y. The above information is quoted from a publicity circular letter of the organization. Ed. Education.

Here is another suggestion emanating from Commissioner Claxton of the Bureau of Education, which is so excellent that we wish to share in it by passing it on to such of our readers as may miss seeing it elsewhere. He says that in all the cities and larger towns of the United States there are thousands of boys and girls who never hear good music and so miss one of the most refining influences that if enjoyed does so much for the character and educational development of the child. He would meet the need thus manifesting itself, by utilizing the church organs of the land.

"Why," he asks, "should not every church in which there is a good organ and which has a competent organist, open its doors freely to children between the ages of eight or nine to seventeen or eighteen, for one hour every week at such time as may be most convenient for the largest number of the children within its reach, and arrange for its organist to render for the children the best music in their best

style? Sometimes the organ music might be varied by orchestra and singing, but it should never partake of the nature of a lesson for the children. It should never appear to be in any way didactic, nor should any music low or trashy in its nature be included in the program. The music period should never be more than an hour. The program should be arranged for the young people. The older people should of course be admitted, but as the guests of the children. Children should be permitted to come and go quietly. If ushers are provided to help them find seats, there will be little danger of their becoming noisy or disorderly. All children, the poor and rich alike, should be invited and made to feel welcome. They should not be expected to dress for the occasion. There should be about the occasion no formality that might tend to keep any children away. It should be easy for newsboys, messenger boys, shop girls, boys and girls from the mills, and children at play on the street to go immediately from their occupations, listen to the music for all or a portion of the hour, and return directly again to their occupations or play."

"No one who knows children and older boys and girls," adds the Commissioner, "and who also knows the educative power of good music, can doubt for a moment the moral and spiritual value which this hour must have for the present and future lives of those who may come under its influence. It will both save police costs and add to the richness and fullness and fineness of the life of the Nation."

While heartily seconding the Commissioner's motion, we feel constrained to add, that this movement in many places will have to be very carefully supervised. Boys are boys, and those most in need of the refining influences referred to are quite likely to be rough, dirty and lawless. The church property must be kept clean and sweet and orderly. Someone must be on hand with authority, on such occasions, as the children might otherwise render the audience room unsanitary and unattractive to those who had come to regard it as their religious home and sanctuary. We believe that in all ordinary cases there would be no trouble in carrying out the Commissioner's interesting idea.

The Fifth Annual Conference on the Rural School problem, held at the Normal School at Worcester, Mass., the addresses given at which are reproduced in this number of Education, drew togther a large number of people who are especially interested in this subject. There was the utmost frankness in the discussions, which was intensified by the fact that several non-professional educators were on the program, or else took part from the audience when the debate was opened to the floor. The obstacles, hardships and weaknesses of rural schools were fearlessly faced and no tendency was shown to influence any of the numerous undergraduates who were present, to enter

this kind of school service by presenting to them only the roseate hues of its attractiveness. Nevertheless its veritable attractions were revealed along with the difficulties and disadvantages that have to be faced. The rewards of this kind of service were shown to be not inconsiderable; and the conditions of rural school work were seen to be constantly improving and to be attracting a constantly increasing number of consecrated and heroic (if you will) young men and women. Great credit is due to Principal Aspinwall for arranging these annual conferences, which are doing much to promote the important interests of American rural school education.

Friends of the Child Welfare Movement will rejoice at the news that the State of Iowa, through its Legislature, has appropriated the sum of $25,000 annually to be spent hereafter in promoting the welfare of children in the state by original research work at the State University. This fund comes to the University largely in response to a demand made by club women of the state for more child betterment work. Dean C. E. Seeshore, Head of the Department of Psychology, has been influential in securing the result. While millions of dollars have been spent in the education of defectives, little scientific effort has been made under the direction of the Legislatures of the different states for the betterment of the condition of the normal child. Other states will watch with deep interest the development of this experiment in Iowa, and not only that state, but also all the states will profit undoubtedly by the results.

Foreign Notes

ENGLAND. The proposed reforms in England form only one part of the sweeping social changes which engage the attention of all thoughtful men in public life and the settlement of which awaits only the return of peace. The change in the electoral system is the most important of many proposed measures because it lies at the root of all others. The need of this reform has not been brought about by the war, but its settlement has been made certain by that catastrophe. In the second year of the war, a Parliamentary conference on electoral reform was ordered, the report of which has just been issued. The recommendations of the conference undoubtedly indicate the direction which the reforms will take. The present system of election in England is extremely complicated. It may only be said here that universal manhood suffrage as it exists in the United States does not obtain in England. As a result of the proposed changes, the franchise will be extended to include about 3,000,000 men, raising the total male vote from 8,000,000 to 11,000,000. Suffrage will be undoubtedly extended to women, which will add, it is estimated, 6,000,000 more voters. In view of this great increase in numbers at a time when many radical changes must be made in long existing systems, conservative women like Mrs. Fawcett are urging that women be content with the moderate realization of their cherished hopes, bearing in mind the fact that compromise is a distinguishing feature of English public measures. It is worth noting in this connection that the enfranchisement of women will impart new dignity to the teaching force. The elementary schools of England command the services of about 170,000 teachers of whom two-thirds are women. Possibly all of these, but certainly the vast majority would come within the requirements for the franchise.

The Senate of Cambridge University has authorized the establishment of the two new research degrees; Master of letters, and Master of science. This action is intended to encourage students to remain at the university for one or two years, after they have completed their work for the Tripos, and engage in research under competent direction. Although the new degrees are mainly intended for Cambridge graduates, they will be open to accredited students from other universities. It is understood that these degrees will not require as high a standard of attainment as the existing doctorates in letters and science.

The authorities of Cambridge University have also adopted the proposal to found an institute of agricultural mechanism. This action accords with a recommendation of the board of agriculture and fisheries and the development commission. For some time these public

bodies have urged that an institute relating to agricultural machinery might advantageously be established at Cambridge, and will accordingly contribute to the support of the new institute.

IRELAND. The department of agriculture and technical instruction for Ireland has issued the program of summer courses of instruction for teachers which will be held during the present year. With a single exception these courses will commence on July 3rd and close July 27th. To encourage the attendance of teachers, an allowance of £3 10s. toward expenses while living at the instruction center will be allowed each teacher who attends regularly and, in addition, third class railway fare for one return journey. The courses of instruction are extremely practical and include wool dyes and dyeing, internal combustion engines, domestic arts, hygiene, wood work, et cetera. Rural science courses, including school gardening, will begin on August 7th following the other subjects.

FRANCE. Paris has long offered peculiar facilities for the study of political economy and the social sciences. The College of France has no less than four professorships for these subjects, the eminent LeroyBeaulieu having long filled the chair of political economy. Recently these resources have been increased by the founding of a new chair for instruction in social providence and assistance. The funds for the maintenance of this chair will be provided by the municipal council of Paris and the general council of the Department of the Siene. The instruction will deal very largely with the subjects of sickness, insurance, invalidism, old age, and infant protection. In addition to the opportunities offered at the Collège de France, the University of Paris maintains in the faculty of letters two chairs for kindred subjects.

By an arrêté bearing date February 5, 1917, the Minister of Public Instruction designated the following faculties of letters and of sciences before which candidates for the baccalaureate might offer Russian as the living language required in the examination: The faculties of letters and sciences of the universities of Paris, Aix-Marseilles, Bordeaux, Dijon, Lille, and Alger. Two of those faculties, Paris and Bordeaux, are authorized also to examine candidates who desire to substitute Arabian for the living language required in the examination.

AFRICA. The entire continent of Africa has been placed on the world map as a consequence of the European war. This fact raises three considerations: First, that of the Protectorates which will be established after the war; second, that of the responsibility of the governing powers for the development of what may be called the child races that now inhabit the dark continent; third, the centers of