Rural Educational Problems in Relation to New Trends in Population Distribution

Abstract

lished in a day after a period of misdirected efforts ending in a great national disaster. But the importance of acting in accordance with well formulated long-range plans is becoming increasingly apparent. Perhaps the really dangerous radical is the person who insists that nothing must be done about the maladjustment of population to resources. If he has his way, the complexion of our population would change significantly, and for the worse. The consequences for democracy, for economic security, for the preservation of civil liberties, I leave to your imagination. The vicious circle to which I referred earlier can be broken, but it will take time, enormous effort, and all the intelligence and humanity of which Americans are capable. The goal is nothing less than that of raising the standards of living in those areas where population already presses hard upon resources. The methods chosen to accomplish this end will have to be as various as the areas themselves and the people living there. At this time, certainly, no one can be dogmatic about how best to proceed, or unduly optimistic about the probable rate of progress. He can only keep at the task persistently, patiently, and as wisely as possible, always conscious of American ways of effecting fundamental changes, and always clinging to a characteristically American faith in his fellowman.