Industrial freedom. [volume] (Edison, Wash.) 1898-1???, 1898-12-24
School Savings BEnhsn
BIGE EDDY.

Some ill-advised people are raising
objections to the institution of saw
ings bank facilities in our public
schools. Though realizing perhaps
that thrift, and thrift only, is the one
saving grace to incorporate in the
character of the rising generation, they
contend that it is being overdone be-
cause the spirit of rivalry has become
SO great that several embryo Roths-
childs have been convicted of robbing
their parents in order to increase
their bank account.
1t is this spirit of carping criticism
which not only imperils existing insti-
tutions but binders their extension.
Anything does not need to bear in
vestigation ii we will only restrain
this spirit of inquiry which threatens
the overthrow of our present civiliza-
ton. A "salted" mine is as good as
any proposition, for speculative pur-
poses, if the tOO-curious investor can
only be persuaded to put a check upon
his undesirable thirst for reliable in
formation.
We will do our children a lasting
injury if we attempt to discourage the
teaching of practical cOmmercialism
in Our schools. We should not grudge
the trouble Of taking our pocket book
to bed with us and of keeping the sill
yer ware and the crown Jewels Of the
family under lock and key, if we re-
hected that our offspring were being
better and better equipped for the
battle of life; a battle in which the
odds against them are becoming
greater, and greater 1t is worth
something to know that if our
children go through life unprovided
with a bank account it will be due to
the skill of the lOcksrlith rather than
to the fact that we held Our personal
comfort of more account than their
opportunities for business training.
When all this is added to the regu-
lar course of study we should over
look the annoyance of having to en-
ploy a special policeman to herd the
kids and keep them on the reserva-
ton. We should remember that this
training is necessary to bring them
out winners in the business life which
stretches before them on the compile
ton of their edncation.
Saving is, existing conditions,
the only sure road to competence,
not to say wealth. Is it, then, posi-
bic to begin too early to weave into
the pliable warp of youth the threads
of parsimony? Is there danger of re-
sorting to too harsh measures to i'm
press upon the youthful mind the viz
tue and necessity of righteousness
Not on your life. Of course it is get
ting before saving, and the keenness of
the competition may lead to crime;
but that leads to skill in avoiding de-
lection, another essential business
qualification.
Away with kites, marbles and peg
tops. Down with chewing gum,
candy and raisins. Dire destruction
to all contraptions which incite the
little ones to part with their pennies
unless the grim doors of the savings
bank clang behind the jingling copper
coins that have been SO long associa-
ted in our minds with shining eyes
and childish mirth. They are needed
to gorge the nav of the god of COM
mercialism. Bye bye, missionary
boxes, exit Notwithstanding Sunday
Schools. Enter the bank book. En-
ter with a vengeance. Elevate the
Incentive to gain till every house
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