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science and engineering possess? The key is this. Through science and engineering, a society can exploit its resources and produce more in the way of food) clothing, and shelter, and still have time left over for other tasks, the most important of which is to build some form of educational institu. tion whose purpose will be to understand manls relation to his physical, biological, and social environment. This in turn not only leads to still further material gains, but gives point to the sum of human effort. It means, in a word) true civilization. In four of the five countries I have mentioned education, whatever its present level (and in some instances that level is comparatively Jow), is unmistakably on the rise. In the fifth country-the United States, where the present level is high-the signs of continued advance are not so sure. Yet we started sooner than any other nation, and got farther, on the road to education for all. Education {rom the very beginning of our country has been a nurtured force. Early higher education was in the classical tradition. During the administration of Lincoln the land-grant colleges were established, devoted to agriculture and the mechanical arts. These institutions accepted stu- dents, young and oldl {or longer or shorter periods of time. Later, ex- perimental stations were established and science found its way into agricul- ture. The high standard of living we enjoy today is due in no small part to the work of these great institutions. The educational cost to the indi- vidual student was low. Even during the depression years in the 1930's the people of the United States expanded their educational opportunities. l\rIany college and university buildings were used day and night. Students were subsidized by the federa1 government by means of the broad pos- sibilities it furnished for work. Today our schools are crowded with the increase in juvenile population which has taken place since the early 40~s. The depressed birth rate of the depression years has been more than compensated for. Institutions of higher learning are facing unprecedented problems of enrollment. In- creasing numbers of students will knock at college and university doors. \Vith the change in our industrial structure more of the work is being done by mind and less by muscle; this means a greater demand for intellectually trained citizens. America is prosperous. per capita produc- tion was never greater, the standard of living never higher. The demand for support of education at the community, state, and federal levels was never greater. The required increases in public spending will, I think, be borne willingly. even with an unprecedented tax load in some communities. A far greater problem-amounting to tragedy for families in the lower and even the middle financial brackets-is the increase in costs of higher education, Families are staggered by costs per student of $1,600 to $2,600 a year. I 6