The record-union., 1892-05-02
TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.
What Is Gained by Technical and In
dustrial schools.

In 1884 at the annual dinner of the In
stitute of Civil Engineers in London, Sir
Lionel Playfair, in reply to one OF the
toaSts, spoke of technical education and
its importance and commented fayorably
upon what was being done in the United
States in this direction as compared to the
little that had been attempted in Great
Britain, as the present school organized
by the City and Guilds OF London had
not been put in operation. More than
one citizen of Great Britain has visited
America to try to discover why certain
machinery that had been taken from
America to aid in some particular man
ufacturlng enterprise had proved less
efficient in Great Britain than it was said
to have proved in the United States, and
after seeing that the value of the machine
ry in the hands of the workmen in
America had not been overstated, has
made the assertion that the difference be-
tween success in one country and failure
IN the other was on account OF differences
in the habits and education of the work
men in the respective countries, assuming
that this education had been beneficial
to the people OF the United States. 1t
would extend these papers to too great a
length TO fully GO into this subject, but 1t
would be well to call attention to what
may be gained by the teachings Of these
schools that were so highly complimented
by Sir Lionel Playfair III 1884.
Technical schools are not to be expected
to make mechanical engineers. They are
expected to teach habits ofcorrect thought,
habits Of correct method, to impress on
the mind fundamental laws of mechanics,
to teach correct business methods and
habits of observation, not only as regards
mechanical principles but as regards
| comparative cost in methods and minute
observation of differences and the careful
analysis Of cause and erect. i he history
of progress is full OF examples of able
men following wrong road from ascrb-
ing effects to what in The end has proved
not to be the cause.
Those who expect the Stevens Insti-
tute and the Boston Institute OF Technol-
ogy, or the technical schools OF the uni
VersltleS, to give instruction that Will do
away with the need OF actual shop prac-
tice and experience gained aIterWard,
viii be disappointed. They will not be
disappointed when they find those who
are talented advancing with rapid strides
wnen they advance means more tnan 1t
did twenty years ago. l'his statement is
proved by the readiness with which able
graduates OF technical schools obtain pO-
sit ons and are appreciated by those who,
no matter what may be THEN business
capacity, lack just what the employees
have obtained at school. Little by little
these schools will improve as the alumni
become lnatured. Zach grateful 10 his
alma mater and intent on advancement
will suggest such changes as his expert
ence teaches him to be essential, and
alumni acting collectively will improve
the methods Of the schools.
Industrial schools III connection with
our common school system are now fill
ing long-telt want and are in the near
future 10 impress upon parents the great
advantage OF mechanical training as rend
ing to increase mental activity. After
pushing education ofthe head alone to an
extreme il is time to tarn attention TO the
training of the hand that member of the
human body which makes man the ruler,
making him with his armed hands the
superior of the most violent hru.e force
and enabling him TO tear down the noun
tain of minerals to gather the metals that
are to serve his COleman
Sellers in the Engineering Magazine.