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About The Rimrock Echo (Billings, Mont.) 1930-1943 | View This Issue
The Rimrock Echo (Billings, Mont.), 16 Dec. 1931, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/TheRimrockEcho/1931-12-16/ed-1/seq-2/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
THE RIMROCK ECHO THE RIMROCK ECHO Published by EASTERN MONTANA NORMAL SCHOOL at BILLINGS, MONTANA Student Editors Dean Aldrich, Freda Erfle Humor Editor Dorothy Flaherty Circulation Cary Alice Sanderson Faculty Advisor Mary J. Meek Staff Helen Crohn, Bob Gail, Martha Fitchner, Lois Elda Howard, Charlotte hemmer, Melba Webster. EDITORIALS OUR POLICY If it were not for the fact that we have been misunderstood, we should not bother our readers concerning editorial policy. The editors feel, however, that some good may be done by this statement of our purposes. Although we do not attempt to please everyone, we do try to include in the paper such a variety of material that each reader may find some- thing attractive to his taste. Some students like a serious thought; others prefer wit or humor. As the news value of a tri-quarterly publica- tion is often very small, both of these literary types may well supple- ment the stale news. But they must be rightly interpreted. One should not take seriously all the contents of a column or a feature. They likely enough include a great deal of nonsense. The fact that they ridicule certain persons or things does not mean that these are actually funny. As many times as not, the laugh is on the columnist or feature writer himself. The editorials and the editorial features are supposed to be entirely serious. If you do not care for such thoughts, you are not obliged to read them. We hope that some will find them worthwhile. As a student publication, \The Rinirock Echo\ intends to voice itself intelligently and forcefully in any way that will bring further progress to the entire college. We welcome all contributions, whether compli- mentary or critical. We invite suggestions and opinions, if they are for the betterment of the paper. After all, it is your paper. We are simply your servants. An exchange declares that children's questions deserve to he answered. Unquestionably yes—but who knows the right answer? WORK Work is unpleasant . In theory everybody appears to be agreed on this point. But in theory only, for what do men do in their leisure time when they are free to amuse themselves as they please? Principally, they enjoy other men's work. They play golf, football or some other sport by which many professionals earn a livelihood; they receive pleasure in doing amateur acting, putting on some play that actors and actresses are paid to produce; again, they go to the theatre, the same work that critics are paid to do. And so we could take up the varieties of recrea- tion. What is work to one man is another's diversion and delight. Even manual labor is not always unpleasant. An investigation made by Henri de Man at Frankfort Labor College shows that the great ma- jority of workers actually enjoyed the work in which they were en- gaged. The idea of the unpleasantness of work seems to go back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who despised work, mainly because in a slave-holding society the distinguishing badge of prestige was the ca- pacity to live without labor. This idea undoubtedly handicaps the pro- ductivity of the world. There should be substituted for it one which is more in keeping with the facts of the matter. Most men really find work something not to be avoided if possible but a privilege. Only those who have never permitted defeat to break their spirits are able to meet victory with unweakened fiber. \PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN\ The approach of Christmas, with its atmosphere of good will and brotherly love, will bring to the minds of many of us the song which we are told was sung by the angels on the first Christmas day, \Peace on earth, good will toward men.\ It may safely be said that no words so accurately express the true Christmas spirit as these. Significant as they were when first uttered on that December day so long ago, they possess today an importance to all of us that can scarcely be under- rated. In a world such as ours, torn by international jealousies and ambitions, filled with a dangerous spirit of militarism, the watchword and slogan of every far-seeing man and woman should be \Peace on earth, good will toward men.\ Our danger does not only lie in the fact that the international situa- tion is filled with these cross currents—the situation is made doubly momentous by the possible consequences of another general interna- tional conflict. The last decade has witnessed a great development of the engines of destruction. Every advance of science has brought with it a new or an improved method of obliterating mankind on a large scale. The rifle of yesterday has been replaced by the poison gas of today that can wipe out an entire city in a few hours. In a world so closely bound together, every little international squab- ble is of consequence to all of us. Nations that are wise will think twice before engaging in a conflict that may involve the whole world, and can but end in catastrophe. Bend every effort to perfect machinery of arbitration. Men that are wise will think less of machine guns and more of peace conferences. The spirit of Christmas, \Peace on earth, good will toward men\ is not a spirit that should be confined to Christ- mas alone. \Are there too many tenchers? Too many with teachers' certificates, perhaps, but if we could replace all uneducated and unsuccessful teach- ers in the schools of America there would be no surplus.\—Dr. Frazier DISCONTENT, THE MOTIVE POWER OF PROGRESS We often hear the statement made that we should be satisfied with ourselves and our station in life; that fate has decreed our lot, and that we must accept things as they are. This is true, perhaps, in so far that we should not voice our dissatisfaction to others, for then the world would be filled with chronic complainers, and life would be any- thing but pleasant. But the statement that we should be satisfied with ourselves certainly is erroneous, for it is through discontent that prog- ress is made. The average man is never content with himself. Every man has a certain aim in view which he strives to accomplish. If this aim is ac- complished, does he stop? No, he immediately aims still higher and begins to work toward that higher goal. He is constantly reaching for something more. And so it is with all of us. Are we satisfied? I think not. If so, why are we here at the Normal School? We believe it is because we were not satisfied with ourselves the way we were. Perhaps we found ourselves lacking in certain respects, and we came here to try to remedy those shortcomings; or perhaps, we were not satisfied with our posi- tions and wished to improve them. No matter what, we are here be- cause we were discontented with ourselves as we were. And this is as it should be, for from past history we find that progress from the earliest times has been a result of discontent, and that, \One who is contented with what he has done, will never become famous by what he will do.\ IDLE MINDS There are more students, particularly boys, attending high school than ever before, and the colleges find their classes just as crowded as in the years when everybody was making money to spare. The last school year witnessed the greatest outpouring of graduates that we have ever known. Many of these graduates would have left high school and college a year ago had there been anything for them to do. College trustees wondered what this year would be like in college enrollment. The answer was a remarkable one. Since there was no work to be had, tens of thousands of high school and college boys and girls went on with the business of getting an education. Somehow the money was found. Parents skimped, friends loaned, and organizations helped out. Though paying positions are lacking, there is no lack of work for the mind. In years to come industrious students will look back upon this year of education as one of the most profitable years of life. We must see to it that only our hands are idle; we must keep our minds at work. Almost any sacrifice made in getting an education is worthwhile, and right now it is almost the duty of those who can con- tinue to study to do so. They will lessen the competition for work and be better ready when work is available for all. Idle hands there will be this winter. We hope that there will be no idle minds. ORIGIN OF CHRISTMAS From the early centuries of Christianity, the anniversary of the birth of Christ has been celebrated by a special church festival. In early England this festival was called Christes Messe, meaning \Christ's Mass,\ whence we get our word Christmas. At first the date of celebra- tion varied in different places, some churches observing it in December, others in January, April or May, because of the absence of historical record as to the exact date of Christ's birth. January 6 was the usual date observed in the Eastern church, as it still continues to be in the Armenian church. One of the causes that worked to establish the new festival on Decem- ber 25 was probably the fact that this day marked the beginning of the great winter solstice festival of the pagan Gauls, Germans, and Britons. The Yule log, holly, mistletoe, and wassail bowls are all relics of pagan observances. Some of the Christmas carols sung in our churches and at our com- munity Christmas tree celebrations have come down from the mystery plays portraying events in the life of Christ. These were given in the church during the middle ages as a part of the celebration of the holy season. Prof Footes' List of Books For Teachers There is a need for books among those who wish to read for the inspiration which good books give. A number of graduates have ex- pressed their interest in self-im- provement clubs in which each member buys a book and, after reading it, circulates it among the rest of the groups. A tentative list of books has been prepared by Mr. Foote. Lack of space prevents the printing of the entire list but the following are a few of the books taken from it. Education—Porter, Martha Peck, \The Teacher in the New School,\ World Book Co., Yonkers-on-Hud- son, N. Y. 1930, $2.00. Deals in methods for arousing the activity of child and in directing it along lines of worthwhile learning. Kilpatrick, William Heard, \Education for a Changing Civilization,\ Macmillan Co., New York, $1.00. Considers nature of our changing order and the demands it makes on educa- tion. Suggests the way out of our educational difficulties. Sociology-Ilin, M., (pseud), \New Russian Primer,\ lHougton, Mifflin Co., 1931, $1.75.. Written for use in Russian schools, but also useful for American adults. Explains the so- called \Five-year Plan\; presents Hawkes Tells of College for Teachers An experiment in education which is of great interest to prospective teachers is the plan for a demon- stration teachers college originat- ing in and sponsored by Teacher. College, Columbia University in New York City. The plan grew out of the imperative need for teachers who, through their own creative ef- forts, are able to call forth in their students constructive, creative lead- ership. An endeavor will be made to discover and develop new meth- ods in the field of teacher educa- tion. The curriculum will make no at- tempt to follow either traditional or radical patterns, but will strike out with the consciousness of an urgent need for improved technique in teaching. The curricula offered will be limited to those designed for the preparation of nursery school, elementary and secondary school teachers. The period of study will vary according to the ability of the individual student. Credit Plan Abandoned The traditional point and credit system will be rejected, certifica- tion for teaching and graduation being based upon satisfactory ex- aminations of both academic and professional character. In place of a quantitative requirement of hours there will be a qualitative standard of attainment in terms of subjects and fields considered essential to professional education. The period of work will vary from three to five years in residence, followed by a probationary period in the field as a regularly employed member of the staff of a cooperating public school system but under the super- vision of members of the staff of the Teachers College. The most important characteris- tic of a teachers college is the con- tact of a student body with a highly educated and broadly cul- tured staff. This phase will not be lacking in the experimental college, which will be under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Alexander, with Dr. Badgley to assist him. Students Carefully Chosen Fine courses and excellent fac- ulty avail little without the proper type of student body. Mediocre students will not be admitted. The chief basis of selection will be sound scholarship, promise of growth in the field of education, and desir- able personal qualities. These will be determined by selective en- trance examinations, personal in- terviews and statements from for- mer instructors and others well acquainted with the prospective student. Mr. Hawkes has been requested by the Teachers College to recom- mend undergraduates from this school as prospective students for the course. According to present plans the college will be opened in the fall of 1932 with a freshman class of approximately 100 students and a junior class with the same number. All of these students will be with- out professional experience. The student personnel will be thus built up gradually until the enrollment of 500 is completed. \A little more kindness, A little less creed, A little more giving, A little less greed; A little more smile, A little less frown, A little less kicking, A man when he's down. A little more 'we,' A little less \I\ A little more laugh A little less cry. A little more flowers On the pathway of life, And fewer on graves, rif technology and machinery which dominates Russia today. Fiction—Aldrich, Mrs. Bess Streeter, \A Lantern in Her Hand,\ Appleton 1928, $2.00. From a log cabin in Iowa the trail for Abbie Deal led to Nebraska, where she brought up her family with all the true courage of the pioneer mother. A strong and vigorous picture of pioneer life. Mrs. Aldrich makes the settlement of the West seem an epic accomplishment. Poetry—Untermeyer, Louis, \This Singing World,\ Harcourt, Brace, and Co., 1929, $1.00. A collection of poem@ especially suited to school use. The best poems for children are gathered into this• book from various sources. Poems are classi- fied to facilitate their use. Description and Travel — Beard, Miriam, \Realism in Romantic Ja- pan,\ Macmillan, 1930, $5.00. A sympathetic and penetrating study of contemporary Japanese life and the effects upon it of occidental influences. Science — Thomson, J. Arthur, \Outline of Science,\ 4 volumes, 1200•pages, $4.50 per volume, school price of set, $13.50. May be pur- chased in single volumes beginning with Volume I. Treats in popular
