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Editorial
November 30, 1948
The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Editorial notes US literacy rise from 20% illiteracy 75 years ago to 2.7% now per Census Bureau, stressing its cultural, economic, social, and military benefits, especially for security, and hopes for worldwide literacy to end war.
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OCR Quality
98%
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Full Text
Literacy and Security
(Cincinnati Enquirer)
Three-quarters of a century ago, one-fifth of the adult population of the United States could not read or write. Last year, as the recent Census Bureau report noted, only 2.7 per cent of our population above the age of 14 could not read or write.
The profound advantages which are entailed in the steady increase of literacy in this country are very likely to be overlooked by persons not concerned in the administration of education. Literacy, however, is one of the most important advantages which civilized man can have over less-well-civilized races, or animals. And these advantages are not only cultural, economic and social but even military.
At first the United States Army felt compelled to reject some of its best potential material because the men were not literate. Later special training was provided for them, but the illiterate soldier is a very limited asset in the modern science of war. Therefore any reckoning of the future security of this nation should take into account the very high percentage of literacy we enjoy over most other lands. Stupid soldiers may make good cannon fodder, but they achieve victories only at a grievously disproportionate expense in lives.
Some day, we hope, the literacy of all the world will be raised to the point where the essentially uncivilized business of war will be relegated to the limbo.
(Cincinnati Enquirer)
Three-quarters of a century ago, one-fifth of the adult population of the United States could not read or write. Last year, as the recent Census Bureau report noted, only 2.7 per cent of our population above the age of 14 could not read or write.
The profound advantages which are entailed in the steady increase of literacy in this country are very likely to be overlooked by persons not concerned in the administration of education. Literacy, however, is one of the most important advantages which civilized man can have over less-well-civilized races, or animals. And these advantages are not only cultural, economic and social but even military.
At first the United States Army felt compelled to reject some of its best potential material because the men were not literate. Later special training was provided for them, but the illiterate soldier is a very limited asset in the modern science of war. Therefore any reckoning of the future security of this nation should take into account the very high percentage of literacy we enjoy over most other lands. Stupid soldiers may make good cannon fodder, but they achieve victories only at a grievously disproportionate expense in lives.
Some day, we hope, the literacy of all the world will be raised to the point where the essentially uncivilized business of war will be relegated to the limbo.
What sub-type of article is it?
Education
Military Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Literacy Rates
National Security
Military Advantages
Education Progress
Illiteracy Reduction
What entities or persons were involved?
Census Bureau
United States Army
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Importance Of Literacy For National Security
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Literacy Improvements And Hopeful For Global Literacy
Key Figures
Census Bureau
United States Army
Key Arguments
Us Adult Illiteracy Dropped From One Fifth Three Quarters Of A Century Ago To 2.7 Percent Last Year
Literacy Provides Cultural, Economic, Social, And Military Advantages Over Less Civilized Races Or Animals
Us Army Initially Rejected Illiterate Recruits But Later Provided Training, Though They Remain Limited In Modern War
High Literacy Percentage Enhances National Security Compared To Other Lands
Stupid Soldiers Achieve Victories At High Cost In Lives
Global Literacy Hoped To Relegate War To Oblivion