The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-29
EDUCATION IN GERMANY

sorry in childhood. Hence ignorance is
crime and iliiterates are no more nuner-
Gus than ignorance. Having passed
through the common schools. the young
men and women Of the country have an
opportunity 10 qualify themselves by spe-
cial training for any one OF the ninety
and nine occupations. In the university
every branch OF science is taught and
every path OF learning may be followed
as far as the ambition OF the student
prompts him TO go. For those who pre-
fer or whose circumstances require them
to engage in commercial, mechanical OF
agricultural pursuits there are schools for
training the hands as well as the minds
for any department Of human activity.
There are schools for farmers, garden
ers, florists, fruit growers. fOresters.
blacksmiths, carpenters. machinists. cab
inet-makers, bookkeepers, tailors. shoe
makers, druggists; there are cooking
girls, BARRIERS and chiropOdists. You can
find a school il Germany for teaching
anything you want 10 know; and il is
usually supported by the government and
free to all corners, or perhaps only
nominal tuition is charged. There is no
reason why any person in this great en-
pire should be ignorant of the duties per-
tanning to the position he is to occupy.
II is complained, however. that the Ger
mans are more technical than practical.
that they are spending too much time in
developing theories without putting them
into practice: that the learned doctors
are discovering all sorts OF new diseases
without finding remedies for them: that
the electricians are spending thousands
Of dollars in developing motors that viii
run $50 miles an hour. when nobody wants
TO travel at that speed, and neglecting the
ordinary 1ramway systems which are re-
duired for the convenience of the public.
II is undoubtedly true that more discov-
cries in the different fields of science are
made in Germany than in any other
country. 1t is equally true, on the other
hand, that German genius very seldom
derives any great pecuniary profit from
its discoveries and inventions. You never
hear of a rich inventor. and compare
lively few patents are granted, probably
not as many in all Germany as in the
state Of Connecticut alone. The patent
laws are very exscting. They require
lat an invention shall not only be unique
but that it shall be useful In order to
receive monopoly from the govern
ment.
One Of the most interesting features of
German educational life is the industrial
art schools in which young machinists
are trained TO become foremen and su-
perintendents Of factories There are
eleven such schools in the city OF Ber-
2.512 pupils. They are situated in differ
ent parts Of the city to serve the conve-
nience they are intended. There are two
systems-one which furnishes instruction
in every branch of mechanical industry,
including designing, drawing, carving.
molding, modelling, surveying, engineer
ing, chemistry, the use of instruments OF
precision and every phase of electrical
science and mechanics, six hours a day
for six days in the week. For this an
annual fee of 100 marks $50 is charged.
In this school are representatives OF the
middle classes of society, who are not de-
pendent upon their own earnings for sup
pOrt-the sons of manufacturers, mer-
chants and skilled mechanics who earn
good salaries.
The other system appeals to a much
larger class of the population, and about
1000 young men who are compelled to
earn their own living take advantage of
evening and Sunday instruction that is
given them for nominal fee of marks
for the year for an average of four les
sons a week, and marks a year for an
average of six lessons a week. OF course
this fee is merely formal. and is intend
ed 10 appeal to the self-respetc of the
pupil and remove the odor of charity.
For two hours each evening and for four
hours each Sunday instruction is given
those whose circumstances compel them
to work during the week DAYS. To enter
a candidate must have already gone
through the common schools and acquired
a solid foundation Of general information.
He must also pass an examination I'm
mathematics, and must have served an
apprenticeship of at least a year at some
mechanical trade. Upon entering the
school he has an option Of seven or eight
different departments. ali Of them dealing
with the construction and operation Of
machinery, electric motors. pumping APP
paratus locomotive or stationary engines,
spinning. weaving. molding, the manufac-
ture and handling OF all sorts Of tools.
forging. and every other form Of mechan-
ism The instructors are practical men,
and each student must follow practical
course. No time can be wasted in expert
mental work. Upon entering the school
he must select his trade, and he VIII be
educated thoroughly in that particular
line OF industry, so that he NAV not only
be able 10 operate. but 70 design and con-
struct the machinery that pertains to It.
Many Of the graduates Of these schools
OF industrial art, from their own inertia.
or from the pressure of circumstances.
fall back into the ranks Of wsge-esrners.
but more have the force OF character 20
become captains Of industry and super
intend the work OF others.
The Germans combine art with utility
as completely and universally "a any
other race, and whatever they produce
has an ornamental finish. ] have told
YOU how they have emheilished their
bridges. docks and warehouses made
their canals and drains 10 contribute 10
the beauty OF their cities, and have trans
formed even their sewers and gasworks
into decorative effects. This purpose pre-
walls in everything. but nowhere is Il
more noticeable than IN the geological
gardens. in the center Of the new resi-
dence quarter Of Berlin. and In the pleas
ant summer and autumn DAYS the resort
of thousands OF people. Tho women and (
children 90 early. The women carry their
knitting. sewing and embroidery. not
long ago ] saw q motherly old person
making a shirt and another darniug socks 4
There is an area OF about seven acres {
covered with beer tables. with two band /
stands one on either side 80 that the I
music is continuous. The bands alter /
nate; as soon as one finishes q selection ]
the other band strikes up. and thu con
cert continues from o'clock in the A. /
ternoon until II az night. although as 1
the weather gets cooler. the evening per /
Sormauces are curtaiied. Men come from /
their offices and stores az the close - 4
business hours. Join their families FOR 4
supper and spend the evening Meantime 4
the children have been looking - the arr
inaIs. digging ia the sand. and playing 4
games IN a corner % the PARK set apart 4
fo- that purpose. and the mother has
held q table in "a convenient location 4
where she can hear both bands sud zee
everything that ls going cn- These fam
Ly parties are feature ~ herin social 4
IKE. In tire summer fhe women Do r1gst 4
~ their visiting Oh the parks ard beer
gardens and few families take their even
fnz meal az home. They have fh@ir
Breakfast al their own table and the
women ard children lgrch az home. thr 4
- f.nre 90 .nelr lnrrh llwn tnrn |