New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-25
TO DEVELOP TALENTS OF THE POOR'
DR. FELIX ADLER PROPOSES Plan BEFORE
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SOCIETY.

THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SOCIETY.
rho ar,uo, meeting o, the Public Education So
ciotv yas held Yesterday afternoon I'm the Berkeley
| Ivceum No II West Forty-fourth-st Several
hundred members. mostly womenTwho, were pres
ent listened to the reading OF reports ana 10 ad-
dresses by Dr. Felix Adler and Professor Nicholas
Murray Butler.
The president Of the society. Mrs Schuyler Van
Rensselaer, occupied the chair. The report OF the
secretary. Miss Martha L. Draper. showed that the
society now numbers more than seven huhureu
members Much good work had been accomplished
in the year among the children Of the poor oy the
establishment OF boys and girls clubs As an ex-
tension Of the summer playground idea the Board
of Education had set apart the public schools OF
thu city for evening use as places where boys and
girls and even adults. in the districts where the
schools were located could congregatc and seek
amusement by reading and social games. Dr. Adj
Ter was introduced, and said in part:
The idea of bringing the teachers and the parents
Of the pupils closer together has my approval.
THIS has beer a permanent feature of our work for
the last four years The parents have been IN
vited at least once month to meet our teachers,
We have endeavored to keep the parents posted on
the work being done in our schools; Ihese meet t
teachers and get an idea OF what progress their
children are making. II tina; can De Gone IN Vro
Another suggestion occurs to me, and thar is tnat
on Saturdays the children of our schools are o rTl
busy Why not take them through me great wo ant
shops making them acquainted win me seat
manufacturing Industries OF NeW-l ork! Lel tleIi
,,isjt the NavV Yard the silk mills. foundries. and
so on All these would make the pupils realize the
life OF society. and besides they would learn IN ID
practical way that which could never ne taught III
the public schools. ,,, l., .At. ,-ao. oit,
who are fin for scientific and artistic vocatlons out
who are prevented by poverty from following
such a course II is pity that al least me most
Should have talent saving Institutions as we
now have life saving institutions would
suggest that committee should be appointed 70
find out JUS such children In our pupuc scnoolss
for their support. Your society Is doing great
and good work. but there Is not even now shoush
Enthusiasm. The higher education Is not tor the
purpose. as some think, or nttlng a man 10 os a
doctor or a lawyer but TO enable him 10 under
stand the science OF his vocation Whatever ~ my
he whether plumber or bricklayer. me chliureh
Of the poor should receive in the evening tha hsn
or education which would enable them 10 put ther
mind into their work The public schools are de-
signed and ought to be for the higher educauon
OF the children Of people I'm humble circumstances.
Professor Butler dscoursed on the present educa-
tonaI rnuddle OF the different boroughs. he said:
We erd in the present condition Of things great
number OF teachers who without their requisite
compensation. Like all good Americans, careless
Of everything that takes place unless II lnterieres
y,i,h orr neTsonal pleasures, throw the blame
unon our statutory law and on our charter. But
let me remind you OF this the charter or TINS
wear was the charter OF year ago We nave simply
= cbanee Of the agents who administer that char
IL is their unintelligent administration that
has brought about such condition OF things
Professor Butler explained at length the condi-
tions which brought about the present muddle, and
suggested as A relief the abolition Of the borough
boards OF education and the establishment Of one
certraI body with local superntendents for the
different boroughs. they 10 report TO one general
superintendent.