The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-03

All this TRANSFERRED before Mr. Akin.
son had heaehed hts @'th year lie had
not long returned from his second trip
abroad when he fouua his services in
demand i'm the United states From n
hos, az advantageous offers he accept
ed ,he position of principal OF the Spring
Held high school once he had an OPP
p0rtUuity To- make a chauge az a consid-
erahie increase in salary. bat he remain
"a In Springfield. which he considered at
f1Nied him the broader scope
such, briefly. have been the character
istios Of she man who has been selected
Or direct the work NJ educating the mt-
lions ~ uuntote1 l'ilpuoS MIR Atktn-
SOFAS energy and executive ability are
sufficient guarantee that the actual per-
torrance ct the task delegates % him
viii Re entered upon az an early date
Mr. Atkinson viii sail from san Fran
clseo for the Philippines June Is. ac-
comranied by Mrs, Atkinson, who before
her marriage was Miss Whitford. daugh-
ter Of G, h. Whltfori az Waltham, Re-
fore his departure he VIII prepare a
scheme II education adapted 20 the needs
~ Filipino youth IN submit 90 the Philip
ptne commission on his arrival az Ma
u'la
Mr.. Atkinson Is naturally somewhat In
She dark as to just what Viii ne practical
IN the Philippines The Industrial insti-
sutcs which ne Oae investigated in the
United States undoubtedly furnish the
nearest index to The work In hand In
the Philippines IL IS doubtful. however.
II conditions az the Institutes In question
VIII anord Mr. Atkinson material which
VIII hr valuable IN his new field. ex-
cept In general way
lhere is fair supply OF teachers ~
whom a majority are of native extraction.
considerable number are of Spanish par
entaSe while the uumbey ~ American
teachers - small Some ~ the American
teachers are daughters 81 United states
army officers. One IF the native teachers
Is tho widow of Rial the famous inSir-
gent leader.
Tho hours Of the Filipino schools arc dc-
eidedly different from those which nrovail
IN the United states, The morning session
begins az 5@n and closes AT i0:2a The
tfiernoon session IS from 2:a0 to & Thurs-
cay Instead ef saturday "a The weekly holt
day IN the Philippines.
ThOhopetai features OF the situation are
thnt the Filipino children are mentally
siert and anxious TO learn ana the ability
OF the United States to furnish the nc,.eS.
sary sdnds Another encouraging sign Il
TIE disposition of the parents Of the chill
dfeh 10 have their children secure the
benefits Of the schools Some Of the PAR
enss have even asked 10 be admitted them
selves a. pupils
ffAnn1IA
tons OF American text ho,ks ARE IN grner-
al use In Philippine ,xho5ls While In
WASHINGTON recently Principal Atkinson
vas surprised ia learn that a geography.
an arithmetic aua history N extensive
use IN New England schools have been
translated for the needs az the Philippine
Islands IL IL the intention Of the govern
nlent q "a said 10 employ native teachers
wherever POSSIBLE.
Principal Atkinson Is e the opinion that
manual training IL destined 20 play an Inn
portant part IN Filipino education IN future
1 years The introduced of manual train
ing viii. Il - Thought stimulate whatever
/ industrial instincts tho lfi,ipinos may pos.
( sess A. present only tho simpler wants
/ 81 The natives are supplied. and there ~ an
4 almost unlimited neld for the activity ~
| Inhabitants who possess even rud,mcntary
mechanical kuowledee
Mr. Atkinson ~ somewhat roticent re-
sardins his plans he says that hs run-
| siiers 81 his duiy to outline them FIRST
| 70 the Philippine commission Rhoee sane.
I ton they must have. tiafnro making them
! public. In general way, homever. one
, gathers from hir conversation that he
| believes that the problems ~ educating
! tho population % The Philippine islands
Is ere whish must he worked out by orig
! iual methods "a q large extent
The field Is wholly uneutivatnd ~ 10
epeak the expenditure ~ the SpRnish gov.
/ erninep, Tor education IN tine Philippines
having been but frw ihougani annn-
{ ally on account ~ un@etilcd conditions
( Manila is tire suly MACE Ia tho islands
: where q school system worthy OF the
name evista 1e1e poverty - THE city
f. SUCH that she Attendance AZ Tho schools
IS slafnsiv flsa
From information ~ hand Il - evident
that ihefe be almost total lack 81 even
( ordinary coHvenienAu.