The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-10
NIGHT SCHOOL
OF TECHNOLOGY
Need of Such an Institution
Clearly Pointed Out.
FOR AMBITIOUS YOUNG MEN
Would Be Almost Self Sustaining-op-
portunity for Some Philanthropic
Man to Start Movement-To
Teach Mechanical Arts.

The need of school of technology in
this city is clearly pointed out in the follow
ing interview with William Ryan, secretary
of the Board of Trade. In speaking of the
IN great industrial center like Birming-
ham night school OF technology Us much
needed. Indeed, next to the charitable in
stituldons, nothing THAT a philanuhropist
could interest himself lin would be anything
like so helpful to this community as a me
chanics institute or college. In nearly
every important manufacturing city IN
the United States a might school OF me-
chanic arts for the especial benefit or ap-
prentices in the shops Is in successful OPP
peraItfon Right now 1 have certain city
in mind where a mechanics Institute, open
only at night, is doing valuable wordsworth
That is ltar-reaching for good and the work
is prosecuted with only small outlay OF
money.
1.-The course of instruction in am institu-
naon of the character referred to is, or
should be, confined to a few branches of
Observation-Disclosures, algebra, geometry,
calculus, physics, free-hand drawing, me-
chanical drawing, bookkeeping and English,
with special courses in engineering, archi-
lecture, chemistry and metalurgy. man
who aspires to be mechanic engineer must
apply himself to books. Every mechanic
engineer has a theoretical as well as a
practical knowledge of machinery Young
men of ample means who have turn for
mechanics should start in the blacksmith
Shop, then acquire skill at THE lathe, and
after That take a -four years course at
Vanderbilt, Cornell, Stevens, or the Boston
School of Technology. But majority of
bright young Who are capable of re-
ceiving am education who are in fact eager
for it, are too poor ito go to Vanderbilt,
Cornell, Stevens or Boston. 1t is the youth
of this class who would be especially bene-
| fitted by night school of technology; who
could only receive an education by having
| the privileges and advantages of an mex
| pensve night school or college.
"And just see how easy it would be to
establish and maintain a night school for
mechanics About eight instructors would
| be required and these instructors could be
| had at small salaries. A suite of rooms
could be rented at little COST The entire
expenditure for nine months need not be
| over $780, Now, there are certainly 250
young men of pluck and aspiration in Biz
mingham who would jump at the oppor-
tunity of attending a night college and
who would gladly pay $40 per annum toward
| their education. The revenue thus OBJ
| tanned would amount to $500. The other
| $1,000 could be raised by honorary member
ship fees Two hundred citizens should
be willing to become honorary or
contributing members of school
of technology and pay S. apiece per annum.
Later on life memberships could be secured
and by and by men of means would con-
tribute literally toward library and en-
dowment fund. The plan is feasible
such a scheme as | have outlined works
smoothly in other cities. 1t only remains
| for few people to come together and make
an organized effort; for a few broad minded
and liberal educators to take up the idea
and push it.
Apprentice boys and young machinists,
after applying themselves at night for four
or five years, under competent teachers,
would, in most cases, be eligible for MEM
bership in the Society of Mechanic Engi-
neers-a body of professional men distin-
guished for their thorough attachments.
Thirty years ago foremen and master me-
chanics of railroad companies, foundries,
| mills and shops generally, were nothing
| more than skilled workmen. They were ig-
norant of science and could not write
report or letter in grammatical FORM They
| worked altogether by the rule of thumb.
Good, worthy fellows they were, but they
could do nothing on philosophic lines. To-
| day the situation Is very different.
majority of foremen and master mechanics
are educated men. Besides being skilled
in the use of tools, they have a broad
knowledge of theory. They are able, too,
to discuss clearly and forclbly on paper any
question pertaining to their business.
They are as l have said, educated men.
This education pays. And it not only
p Us, but it is coming to be absolutely nee
essary. The time is at hand therefore, when
every strong, live youth in the shops must
strive for knowledge well as mechanic
cal skill. A night school of technology in
Birmingham is the thing
AGREES TO ARBITRATE