Wakefield High School - Oracle Yearbook (Wakefield, MA)

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PAGE TWELVE THE W. H. S. DEBATER HONOR PARTS Valedictorian GLADYS VVATKINS Salutatoriaii BARBARA RANDALL IIoiioi- I ' ait TIIEL.M A IJKIIXiE

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TUK v. H. s. dp:p,atp:r PA(iE ELEVEN (lecliaed until they have ceased to compete with other natious. The great seveu masted sailing- vessels, proudly flying the Stars and Stripes, that once dotted the seas, are no more. If one were to study the marine situation in the Port of Boston, he must be impressed by the fact, that all of the transatlantic freight traffic of this port sails under the British or the Norwegian flag. How many of us stop to think that since September, 1914, there has been only one transatlantic passenger sailing per month from the Port of Boston, and this under British registry. Add to this the fact, that fully one-tiiird of the .Ameri- can coast-wise traffic is likewise under the Union Jack, and we get some idea of what the situation of the American merchant marine will be, at the close of the European conflict, no matter how far distant. What are we to do when (ireat Britain sails her merchantmen to South America for wool, which will enable her to raise her war debt far more quickly than boots and shoes from Boston ? ' I ' his leads us directly to a most serious ])roblem, namely, the possession of South American trade. Great wealtli is liidden in the plains of South Amer- ica. Is American cai)ital going to rest serene, and see millions borne away from under its very linger tips for the want of a mei ' chant marine ' : The possibilities of an American merchant ma- rine under favorable laws are i)ractically limitless. Capital is perfectly free to buy merchantmen, and American shi])yards are as ready to build them. It only remains to settle the much discussed (luestion of government ownershi)). Government ownership has never proved a success, either in New Zealand, where the railroad, telei)hone, and telegraph lines are so con- trolled, or in this country, where the jtarcels ' post sys- tem has proved a distinct failure from a flnaucial stand- point. In closing we come face to face with the question, ' if conditions are so favorable for the establishment of a merchant marine, why has it not been attemjjted V Those of us who are wont to observe business condi- tions are doubtless aware that the crews of the majority of British and German freighters, touching at Boston, are composed chiefly of Orientals. Chinese labor is much cheaper than white labor since men rarely receive over ten dollars i)er mouth, and from this pay their living expenses, while the United States government provides for a minimum wage for sailors of twenty dollars per month and expenses. How can the Ameri- can shipper even contemplate competition against such odds? The government continues its abnoxious policy in the new Seaman ' s Bill, and rules that at least 75% of ' the crew of any vessel, touching at an American port, shall be able to understand an order s])oken by the master of the vessel. As a direct result, the Pacific Mail Steamshij) Company, the largest American ship- ping concern, which found Chinese labor at twenty dol- lars per month superior to the American labor avail- able on the Pacific coast, announces a dissolution and a cancellization of all sailings after November 1, 1915. Thus we hive a striking example of the hasty mad- ness, which has so materially hindered the revival of the merchant marine. Let us hope for speedy legisla- tion in favor of American shippers, if the L nited States would command a position of respect on the high seas. Geok(;k Buttkefikm), ' 15. THE PAHENT--TEACHERS ' MEETING N event new to Wakefield occurred Wednesday evening, IMay 19, when the teachers of the town, together with the parents and other friends of the S(diools, held in the town hall their first town-wide parent-teachers ' meeting. The music of the evening was furnished by a volun- teer orchestra and the Girls ' Glee Club of the High School, both under the direction of Mr. C. Albert Jones. The work done by the (ilee Club was particularly creditable and has received much favorable comment. The girls have anii»le cause to be proud of their ac- complishment and every reason to lv)ok forward with confidence to the futui ' e of their organization. Two speakers of prominence addressed the meeting. Dr. A. E. Winship, editor of the Journal of Education, and j [rs. W. L. Smith, state organizer of the National Parent-Teachers ' Association. Dr. Winshi]) made it clear that the schools could and sliouM serve the com- munity in much broader ways than at i)resent, and that the i arents and the general public should have a greater interest in the schools. As a means to this end he urged the formation here of an active parent-teachers ' organization. Mrs. Smith then sketched the history of the i)arent-teachers ' movement and ])resented the work of such organizations, particularly in this state. The addresses of the evening were followed by dis- cussion and questions, after which the meeting voted its approval of the parent-teachers ' movement, and also voted that the Superintendent of Schools, in con- junction with the principals of the schools not having such organizations, should appoint committees to aid in organizing these districts. As a result of the meeting there will prol)ably be in each school district, as there is now at (yreenwood, a lively parent-teachers ' organization. This will be a distinct step forward towards better things in Wakefield.

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THE W. H. S. DEI5ATER PA(iE TinirrEEN 1 I I TRACK T ' HE prospect for a good track team this sprinjj. was very bright. For the first time iu the history of the scliool we could turn out a team cai)able of doing- creditable work in competi- tion with other high schools of (Greater Boston. jack Gordon, with a faithful few, and without any encouragement from the student body, training- faith- fully without any coaching, made the start that enables us to have a team this year. Inspired by their success, Captain Joseph Duggan started a cross-country team last fall. A dozen boys reported and from these a fine team was picked. Runs were arranged with Peaboily, Stoneham, and Woburn. The team finished second in the Mystic League, and fifth at the meet hehl under the auspices of Worcester Academy. Captain Joseph Duggan, George (4ood vin, and Charles Kirk were our most cousistent runners, and for their faithfulness and good work they were rewarded with W ' s . (4eorge Goodwin finished first iu every run, except at Worcester where he finisheil third. He broke the rec- ord of the Mystic League by two minutes. Much of the success of the team is due to ] [anag:er Millard Thresher. As a result of the fine showing-, interest in track work ran high and when Captain Duggan called out the candidates for the indoor relay team, about thirty fellows responded. Maiden High School offered us the use of its outdoor track for any afternoon in the week after four o ' clock. Later in the season Captain Connelly of Co. A allowed us to practice evenings in the Armory with the Co. A track team. We are very grateful to the INIalden High