This week has been set aside, November 6th through 11th, as American Education Week. According to Ambrose Caliver, Senior Specialist in the Education of Negroes, the topic for discussion "The Educational Emergency" is particularly appropriate for Negro schools. He adds further that "the conditions prevailing in the education of Negroes at present constitutes a real emergency and it is important that this situation be stressed at this time. During the past there were many deficiencies in the education of Negroes; the facilities prevailed in schools were very meagre; there was considerable lack of financial support and the margins upon which schools were operated were poor. Since this was the situation before the depression, it is obvious that drastic cuts cannot be made without doing irreparable damage. In many localities where reductions are made, the schools for white children still have sufficient facilities left to provide a fairly good minimum program of education; but if proportional cuts are made in the education of Negroes, it frequently will mean the abolishment of schools, or ALL the facilities in some essential fields of activity." These are the exact words of Mr. Caliver in Circular number 123, issued by the United States Department of Interior, office of education.

Together with these facts there are other problems that are quite evident. There are adults who are unable to read and write; unemployed adults who are in need of vocational training; other unemployed adults who are in need of further general educational opportunities to fit them to take their part as self-supporting citizens. On November sixth, Secretary of Interior Harold L. Ickes and United States Commissioner of Education, Dr. George F. Zook, made radio addresses on Negro Education over the National Broadcasting Company's blue net work of stations.

Mr. Coliver's report and Mr. Ickes and Mr. Zook's addresses on Negro Education are timely and worthy of commendation, but since their general theme seems to be centered around the Emergency, a sudden condition calling for immediate action. What link will we forge in the "first aid emergency kit." Think of what a wonderful bandage and adhesive tape a public library and night school would make.