The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-26
The Manual Training Course
Popular With High School
Pupils.
THEY ALL ENJOY THEIR WORK
Only Unitarian Aims Are Sought to
Be Attained in the Instructions
Given.

cisco that enlistS the energies and enthusi-
asm of the pupils TO the same extent as
the manual training features of the Poly
technic High School.
This Institution included its present
course of manual training in its regular
curriculum but six months ago, and the
progress that has been made by the pupils
is a matter OF advertisement to all who
have taken the trouble to visit the school
during the past few weeks, and the at
tachment that the workers in the ''shops"
have developed for their labor is no less q
cause of surprise and pleasure to their in
structors. This is strikingly shown by Il
casual remark made by Principal Walter
" Bush during recent conversation, as
follows: at is evident that neither teach
ers nor pupils would remain at their work
voluntarily until darkness drives them out
of the shops unless they were deeply in
terested in their work.
And in the present efforts of the Board
OF Education to economic it is feared by
pnpils of the Polytechnic High School
that the AK OF the economists may posi-
blv be applied so as TO deprive them OF the
instruction that is dearest TO them.
In addition TO the regular academic
studies ana a commercial course there IS
included in this institution manual train
ing for both boys and girls-the aim being
10 prepare pupils for an active life. The
manual training course does not aim to
teach a trade, but to SO educate the hand,
the eve and the brain that the graduates
OF the school may enter entelligently upon
an industrial life or prepare themselves for
advanced courses i'll scientific colleges and
schools OF technology. The commercial
course prepares them for business.
The Misunderstanding course for girls in
cludes freehand drawing, clay modelling
and wood carving at present, though later
il is expected TO add sewing and cooking.
The course for boys includes freehand,
mechanical and architectural drawing,
joinery. cabinet work, pattern-making,
forging, wise work ana machine tool prac-
tICe.
The laboratories and shops, which are
located in the new brick building, corner
Of Bush and Stockton streets, are amply
equipped with apparatus, machinery and
tools to meet the requirements OF the man
ual training classes.
The working shop contains benches
for twenty-four pupils, and each bench is
provided with locked drawers in which
the pupils keep their tools, of which each
has a com plete set. In the toolroom is a
large number OF special implements issued
TO pupils as needed. This shop is provided
" l
l2-inch buzz planer, scrollsaw, q double
combination sawbench, Barnes former,
an 1S-inch pattern lathe and eight 10-inch
wood-turning lathes.
The machine-shop is fitted with benches
and twelve machinists' vises. In the tool
room is large supply of machinists' tools
at the service Of the pupils, as they are re-
Quired in the progress OF their work. The
machinery for ironwork includes q 24-inch
6rIIi-n 1p-inph cbanar DavO1[R0-
inch planer, milling machine, a speed
lathe and five screw cutting engine lathes
of 16-inch, 14-inch and 12-inch swing, also
an emery grinder, a twist drill-grinder and
grindstones. The power for running the
shops is furnished by 20-horsepower gas
engine.
The blacksmith shop is provided with
twelve torges, anvils and sets of black
smiths tools, bolt threading machine, a
drill press and shears for cutting up stock.
A 45-inch exhaust blower carries off all
smoke and gases, while the blast IS sup
piled to each forge from pipes from
pressure blower.
One large apartment is devoted jointly
to clay modelling and wood carving, in
which girls only are intended TO engage,
though there are at present two boys TAX
ing this course.
All the instruments required for me-
chanical drawing, tools for wood and iron
work. and materials for use in the labora-
tories, shops, wood-carving and clay
modelling rooms are supplied by the school.
To insure against loss from carelessness
and misuse of tools and apparatus each
member of the manual training classes is
required to make nominal deposit, which
Is returned at the end Of the year unless
the teachers report breakage or misuse of
tools, i'll which case q sufficient amount to
make good the damage is retained.
Only two special teachers are engaged
for the entire manual training course. il.
A Gardner. BIS, is at the head Of the
manual training department and has en-
tire charge of all the work done by the
boys in the shops. Miss Van Week, NJ |.
wood-carving classes.
1t may be stated at this point that the
entire equipment for the manual training
course costs but $4,000, all OF it having been
purchased by means OF bids which were
rendered by fifteen different firms.
All the manual training studies are
elective or optional, yet out of the $50
pupils now attending the school about 200
are taking the manual training course
In order that no time may be taken from
the academic studies of the manual train
ing classes the hours OF attendance for
these pupils are heightened by one and
,half hours, the extra time being de-
voted TO shop work.
1t is noticeable fact that the members
OF the manual training classes average
higher in their academic studies than do
those of the regular classes, the work in
the shop apparently acting as a stimulus
to both boys and girls. The attendance in
the manual training classes is also more
regular than in any OF the others of the
school. This is strikinglv illustrated by
the fact that during the entire base ball and
football season not one OF the bows in the
manual training classes asked to be ex
cused.
All the work that is done in the sbops
except the most elementary is directed so
as to secure practical results. Among the
many useful things that are produced in
wood-carving and joinery shops are foot
stools, towel-racks, ease1s, frames, book
racks, bookcases. tool-boxes, chests OF
drawers, sets of pigeon-holes, panels, mu-
sic racks and carved chairs, while in the
machine and blacksmith shops the Young
mechanics turn out screws bolts. brack
cts, wedges and most of the tools that are
required in these departments.
Most of the articles specified become the
property of the school, though the pupils
are permitted 10 make such things as thew
can for their own homes. the only condf-
ton being that they provide their own
materials, and many take advantage of
this privilege.
The work of these comparative begin
pers shows both decided aptitude and