 The Dupont Cavalcade of America starring Helen Hayes Good evening. This is Helen Hayes. I'm sure you'll enjoy our cavalcade tonight an original radio play by Frank Gabrielson called good morning, Miss Teichman, but first here's Bill Hamilton for the Dupont Company. Thank you, Miss Hayes Three million persons are injured in their homes each year and falls in the home account for 17,000 fatal accidents To help prevent small rugs from slipping sliding or creeping use Dupont rug anchor Rug anchor is a non-skid sponge rubber underlay that is dust-proof and waterproof It won't harbor mods and it can be trimmed to fit any size rug You can help safeguard your family against costly painful falls by putting Dupont rug anchor under floor coverings Rug anchor is one of the Dupont Company's better things for better living through chemistry An original radio play for the Dupont Cavalcade of America starring Helen Hayes as Miss Teichman Please John humanity Don't be afraid of it John. She is a teacher this Miss Teichman a Grammar school teacher Joanna Teichman teaching 7B in a neighborhood school. She is say 60 and gray But she stands straight as the shortest line between two points and She knows as we know our mothers and our bank accounts Subjects predicates objects and the dangling participle She knows when Vicksburg fell how high the Andes are and the names of all the capitals of the states She knows Huck Finn and Hiawatha and can begin when in the course of human events and say the entire declaration Besides this miss Teichman knows each year the names the faces the abilities and worths of a brand new Class of 40 good morning class, but what do we know of miss Teichman? We were all one of those classes of 40 once under miss Teichman or miss Levy or mrs. Miller or mr. Jones We spend as much time with them as with our parents almost and Oathom is much almost But what do we know of miss Teichman? Suppose we were ordered to write a composition called miss Teichman a teacher Take pen and paper, please now, all right Miss Teichman lives in a lower flat at 311 Cheney Street She lives with her mother an old lady Every school day miss Teichman gets up early and marks papers Some teachers do this the night before but miss Teichman thinks it is healthy to get to bed early Right mother. I'll mark the rest of these before class fail them all and that's the way they'll all end Not this class. They're the brightest have ever had you say that every year Are you through with the newspaper mother? Yeah, I don't know why I ever read it between the Russians and the high prices It certainly don't give me any pleasure and there's four new cases of infantile paralysis. Where they're on the front page I meant we're in the city. Well three of them in south side high I found it the others in mania street right next to us. How many cases are there in your school now? still three Here's something in the paper about Charles Orham. He's getting an honorary degree at the University today. Isn't that splendid? Joanna, when is Mr. Craft leaving soon as the Board of Education picks a new principal to take his place Think they'll pick you for principal. Of course not. Well, why shouldn't they you passed the principal's examination years ago And you've certainly had enough experience. That's one reason that never picked me had too much experience Anyway, if the Board of Education wants me all they have to do is ask me, but I'm quite sure they never will did you ask Mr. Craft to recommend you know, I didn't too modest I've been a cropper at school 38 years mother if the board wishes me to become principal They have only to appoint me they know that I shall certainly not humiliate myself by begging for the job pride killed a cat I always say curiosity killed the cat pride goes before a fall Well, I must go or I'll be late You might if I cut this out this clipping about Charles Orham. There's nothing on the back, but the comics go ahead I always read the comics first thing Attention, please class stand the pledge of allegiance On Monday morning September 8th 1910 when Joanna Taikman fresh from normal schools stood face to face with her first class in this same sunny classroom Some few of all the facts she taught in 1910 were different than they are today The ruler of the Russian people is called the czar the population of Los Angeles is around 300,000 it's principal industry is found in machine shop products Experiments with a wireless may be a step towards the unification of all nations because it's fast possibilities of communication Will bring understanding to all people and hence put an end to war Yet for the great part what young miss Taikman taught us then all miss Taikman teaches our children here today How do you find the area of a circle Johnny pie our squared and what is pie class? This is pie This is Archimedes Euclid Einstein This is the straight line between two points of thinkers from the first man thinking to the last man thinking The straight line and the circle This is teaching Will the first two roles take positions at the blackboard, please Come to my desk, please Have either of you any explanation to offer for fighting in class and hit me first miss Taikman Did you Edward? Yes, why I I wanted to that's all. I'm sure you had a reason Edward Oh, he made fun of me. How I won't tell what did you say John? Nothing you did too. You said my clothes didn't fit good. What's that to get sore about you? You can't help it if they don't fit everybody knows you get your clothes from the son of that man your father's chauffeur You shut up. I don't want to see you Edward John I am deeply disappointed in both you boys You're 12 now Edward. You're in the seventh grade You're old enough to know better than to start fighting in a classroom Regardless of what John says to you you'll remain out to school every day for the rest of this week Yes, miss Targman and about you John. I'm even more disturbed. Oh, he hit me first After you tried to make him feel inferior because his clothes aren't like yours. I Don't like seeing any American or anyone for that matter Making fun of another person because of his clothes or his family's position or his nationality In addition to remaining after school every day for the rest of the week as Edward will I Have a newspaper clipping here. I wish you to read to the class out loud if you will please Class return to your seats, please Now this is an editorial I cut from the morning herald to read to you as part of our current events work But I'd rather have John read it now. I think you'll all see why You may begin John deserving laurels Today our university is Conferring an honorary degree upon a former resident of this city as a delegate to the United Nations Charles Francis Orham is now a world figure But many of us can remember the days when he was a struggling young lawyer in our midst Out on university place There are families who can still recall how he tended furnace for them when he worked his way through college and One or two of us on this paper can even bring to mind that it was Charles Francis Orham 811 who in 1913 won the heralds news boys prize for selling the most papers and Honoring him the university is honoring also what we like to think of as the American way We are reminded and knew that opportunity for all is more than just a phrase What the paper doesn't say is that that man used to be one of my pupils John can you guess what desk he sat in? Edwards, no John yours and I hope in the future you'll try to make as good use of it as Charles Orham did I will miss tykeman honest I will And I'm sorry. I said what I did Ted his clothes really fits well. I'm sorry. I belted you shake hands now Take your places at the blackboard This too is teaching To teach Protestant Catholic Jew The native born the immigrant rich poor the Methodist and seventh-day Adventist The boys who wear buttons for the candidates their parents prefer Republican and Democrat All this human tangle needs to know the straight line between two points between aspiration and results in This democracy You are listening to an original radio play good morning miss tykeman Starring Helen Hayes on the cavalcade of America sponsored by the DuPont company makers of better things for better living through chemistry The narrator is relating for us a few simple instances in the daily life of a very important member of the American scene She is a teacher miss tykeman a grammar school teacher Joanna tykeman teaching 7b in a neighborhood school Now there will be a test No comment, please Now we will have a test in geography. I have written the questions on the blackboard here beneath this map You will have 30 minutes in which to answer them take pen and paper and begin Now there will be a test in geography Now there will be a test 7b You will have 30 minutes in which to answer You will have a lifetime to for answering This test goes on Can you find naga sake on the map? Can you find late success? You have 30 minutes class and wish to answer You have a lifetime and No more keep your eyes on your own paper, please Where's the 40 pens of 7b put answers on an empty page and the wall clock tick The door swings open and miss henry who teaches 7a appears and beckons to miss tykeman May I see your minute miss tykeman? Well, I knew you were having a test I thought you could step outside for a minute and keep an eye on your class through the glass if I come out I shall not spy on them through the window miss Henry class I'm leaving the room for a few minutes during that time. You're on your honor not to talk or look at one another's papers Is that clear? You trust your class more than I do mine. What do you want miss Henry? I don't like to be out of class too long Oh, don't worry. I can see every one of them from where I'm standing. Oh There's a boy in the back row. I prefer not to hear it miss Henry The honor system binds me as much as it does them. Oh, it's all right anyway He was only turning around to pick up an eraser he dropped. What was it? You wanted well While my group was taking art class I stopped around at the principal's office and I got talking with this secretary and we decided something very interesting Really? You'll say really when you hear it's about you. Oh, is it? We think you're quite likely to be the new principal What makes you say that? Well, you're eligible You've got a fine record and they just aren't many good people available Most of us haven't got the educational requirements the way you have well, then this is just supposition on the part of you and Genevieve No, it's not exactly supposition. I Happened to know that mr. Kraft is sending for you sometime this afternoon. That could be about anything Well, he's also been talking with the board of education Genevieve didn't know exactly what went on But it was something about a new principal and she knows it's going to be decided today And you're seeing him today. So it doesn't prove anything. Oh come now Who deserves it if you don't I like to think I do But I know there are plenty of other teachers who deserve it Have you finished already Helen? Where Helen right back when I turn my head have you been in a draft? I don't think so Has anyone been talking to you about why it's bad to have a stiff neck Helen Yes, Helen Helen you go downstairs now and tell the nurse about this No, dear, you've just got a stiff neck. Go on now. There's nothing to be afraid of You can make that up later. Do you think it's her neck that's bothering her or her imagination or the test? We'll just have to see what the nurse has to say. Well, don't worry. There's nothing you can do about it. I know Well, I must get back you should that boy in the back is turning around again and this time I don't think he's dropped an eraser Miss Taikman Joanna Taikman teacher of 7b at Robert School at 344 this afternoon sits waiting outside the office of the principal Beside her is a case of trophies silver cups and statuettes of bronze One March 1921 Reminds miss Taikman of Fred Bettinger who won the 50 and the 100 yard dashes both that year As she sits waiting for the principal miss Taikman wonders what has become of Fred Bettinger We'll see you now miss Taikman. Thank you There's a man in there from the board of education who seems very anxious to talk with you miss Taikman I'll go in now. I Believe you wish to see me mr. Craft. Oh, yes. Yes. Come in miss Taikman. This is mr. Grant. How do you do mr. Grant? Mr. Taikman. Oh, sit down. Would you miss Taikman? Thank you The board of education has sent mr. Grant here. He wanted to meet you I understand that you're the senior teacher in the school next year will be my 39th year if I'm here Oh, you'll be here miss Taikman particularly these days. We need people with your experience I'm probably going to be after you with questions all day long at first. I don't understand Well, there's so much. I'll need to know about the place. Oh, mr. Grant is to be the new principal. I See and since you are the senior teacher, I felt I ought to meet you before the others I'm going to need a lot of help from you miss Taikman I'll be glad to do whatever I can mr. Grant with cooperation like yours miss Taikman We can't fail to have a thriving school. I'm sure we will mr. Grant and Well, I I don't think mr. Grant wanted any detailed information today miss Taikman It's really a matter of getting acquainted. Isn't that so Graham? That's right Just so long as I can feel free to call and miss Taikman for assistance from time to time Oh, yes, of course mr. Grant Well, if there isn't anything further you want, I should get back to my room I have some tests to mark. Goodbye, mr. Grant. Goodbye. Goodbye, mr. Crab. Goodbye On Monday morning September 8th back in 1910 young miss Taikman faced the world in her first class with apprehension determination and infinities of hope On Monday afternoon February 2nd 1948 Old miss Taikman sits in the presence of a ticking clock and two recalcitrant boys Under a column of 38 years she draws a line and is for once uncertain of the sum It's 430 Edward you and John may go now Thanks, miss Taikman. Yeah, thanks. I do not like yeah That in my classroom John. I'm sorry miss Taikman. See you tomorrow. Goodbye boys. Goodbye miss Taikman from 1910 to 1948 and Underneath the straight line drawn What is the sum? What is the sum? Hello miss Taikman Hello Can I do something for you? I Guess you don't remember me. Do you miss Taikman? I'm afraid I don't well This is a sort of a blow to my pride miss Taikman. I used to sit at this desk right here Well, I guess a lot of kids have sat here since you can't be expected to remember us all I used to think I could I guess I'm getting old not you miss Taikman Well, you couldn't possibly know me after all in 30 odd years a man does change if it was that long ago And you said at that desk You must be that's right Charlie Orham Charlie I was taking a walk through the old neighborhood. I couldn't go by without coming in to say hello How good of you to come? especially at this time How awful I didn't recognize you it's inexcusable why I've seen your picture in the paper at least once a week late You couldn't recognize anybody from those pictures miss Taikman. I don't think I ever really associated the pictures with you anyway Whenever I thought of you standing up in the United Nations and talking to all those great men I somehow always saw you as a 12-year-old boy whose hair wouldn't stay calm And now there's no hair to comb I Still making jokes all the time. I see Charles. I need to these days. Oh, I wish the class were here to see you You know, we read about you this very morning in the paper If you only knew what an inspiration a success like yours is to the girls and boys I hope it is a success. Why? Charles, you're a great man now. I don't feel that way when I think about the United Nations You have great responsibilities. I know Charles, but I don't worry about you not being able to handle them You told me that once before I pitched a ball game and you're one didn't you? And you're winning whatever you're doing now. I know you will Charles. You're that type of boy. I Don't suppose you'd want to come in and talk to the class for a few minutes tomorrow, would you? Oh, I'd like to very much miss Taikman, but I'm taking the plane out tonight. Yes You you don't mind if I tell them about you're coming to see me It makes me very proud tell them about the time you caught me smoking in the cloakroom. So you remember that It's amazing how much I remember of what went on and the older I get more complicated My life becomes the more sense the simple fundamental things you taught us seem to make I don't mean just the history and the arithmetic and the grammar. I Mean the way you made us feel about life miss Taikman the truth Was the most important thing in the world and there if we were to write we didn't need to be afraid of anything We don't Charles. I remember there was a poem you had us learn something about Somebody building a ship the building of the ship. That's it. That's it. I always liked it Not that it's exactly Shakespeare I suppose naturally not it's long fellow Anyway, it has a has a feeling of courage in it that always excited me. How'd it go? Thou to Salon oh ship of state Salon oh union strong and great Humanity with don't be afraid of it Charlie With all its fears with all the hopes of future years is Hanging breathless on my fate Salon no fear to breast the sea our hearts our hopes are all with me our hearts our hopes our prayers our tears our faith triumphant All with the Thank you Helen Hayes now here's Bill Hamilton of the DuPont Company It happened in Ohio Logan County. In fact near Belle Fountain One hot sunny day. I was helping my grandfather pack bales of wool wrapping the wool in burlap I was humming something about totendat bale and working hard And all of a sudden I felt sharp claws on my leg I brought my hand down, but not before the animal whatever it was sliced into my knee with its teeth It ran scurrying away. Then I saw what it was. It was a rat a big brown one Rats do sometimes attack human beings and they attack us in other ways beside the one I have described They attack our property food and health They are a sly filthy vicious enemy When they make their way into your home, they can damage plumbing nor through interior walls and insulation Undermine foundations destroy electric wiring sometimes even causing fires They also spread disease On the farm rats can spread disease not only to people but to poultry and livestock They often kill chicks and even full-grown hens Some farms have so many rats that farmers expect as a matter of course to have a certain number of their baby chicks mangled Or carried off by rats As for food it has been estimated that every year rats eat or spoil nearly 200 million bushels of grain in this country Just imagine what this extra amount of food would mean to us and to the really hungry in other countries This year American farmers are asked to make an all-out drive against rats to save this tremendous loss a Recent development of chemical science and to will help put the campaign over but the farmers can't do it alone You owe it to yourself and your family to make an effort to kill any rats You may have in your home or neighborhood Rat poisons containing Dupont ant to are effective against the common brown rat and any rat poison with ant to is easy to use Bear in mind that it is a poison to humans and pets as well as rats and follow the directions carefully Ant to a superior ingredient for rat poisons is a product of chemical science from the Dupont Company of Wilmington, Delaware Maker of better things for better living through chemistry Next week Lincoln's birthday week Cavalcade presents the distinguished Hollywood star Robert Young and mr. Lincoln goes to the play an Absorbing story of the last day in the life of the great emancipator. We hope you'll be with us We've invited many teachers to listen to tonight's broadcast and we welcome their comments concerning our play Good morning, Miss. Teichman and of course as every week. We welcome and appreciate the letters from all cavalcade listeners Just address your letters to the Dupont Company radio section Wilmington, Delaware. I'll repeat that the Dupont Company Radio section Wilmington, Delaware Now featured in tonight's play with Helen Hayes was house Jameson as the narrator Music for the Dupont cavalcade is composed by Arden Cornwell and conducted by Donald Bryan And this is Ted Pearson inviting you to listen next Monday to mr. Lincoln goes to the play starring Robert Young Cavalcade of America is presented from the stage of the Longick your theater on Broadway in New York And is brought to you each week by the Dupont Company of Wilmington, Delaware To the school children listening tonight You have an opportunity to nominate your favorite teacher in a nationwide contest for full details of this contest Listen to the quiz kids program next Sunday afternoon on NBC This is NBC the national broadcasting company