The Washington times., 1901-12-15

| utted States. OF school OF ChSeTNatio
| and drill on American industrial methods
| While the superiority of America
workmen and American methods is du
much more to the liberal training Of on
| public school children from their earlies
| years to the high school course rathe
| than to the high dcve 'opment of any spe
| cialized form of training there undoubt
odly exists a wide field for observation ol
| the part of foreign students. The theor,
Of public education in this country il
founded on an altogether different bash
from that of continental Europe. We ed
ucate all children alike until the las
year or two of the high school course o
as some one has torsely put it. ever!
child in America is educated with the pos
sibility OF one day becoming President o
the country
In continental Europe on the othe1
hand. a child is destined from its earlies
years to pursue the occupation of hii
father and it is only accident whicl
throws him from this groove. His train
ing is highly specialized from his earlies
years with this object in view. and whilt
he becomes manually the most exper
workman in the world in his cwn par
ticular craft he has lost sight OF the re
lations of his trade to every other trade
and the inter-dopendence of one form o
industry with anolner.
Interesting TO Foreigners.
1t is absolutely impossible in this coun-
try TO assign to child in the public
schools his future occupation, and to at
tempt to do so would cause just resent
ment on the part of the people. Neither is
it wise from a commercial or industrial
standoint to do SO as the superiority OF
American methods in shop work and
American methods In commerce and in
dustry amply prove. There will, there
fore be an intense interest taken in the
American educational exhibit on the part
Of all foreign nations. They are seeking
for the cause Of our Industrial supre-
macy and they will find it not in any SUI
perior form of specialized training-they
have a monopoly of that-but rather in
the liberal training pursued in accord
ance with the theory and genius of our
institutions.
No effort or expense will be spared by
the Department of Education to put be-
fore the world an accurate and compre-
hensive view Of our great educational
system in every department of educational
ffort. 1t is mistake to suppose that be-
cause we are a community Of States we
have not a national system of public in
struction.
DIR. Harris Able Work.
Such has been the unifying and harmon
izlng power of the United States Bureau
of Education under its able Commissioner,
DR.. william 7. Harris. and such has been
the constant interchange OF thought and
method promoted by the National Educa-
tional Association that there exists be-
tween the schools Of Boston, ST. Louis.
and San Francisco less difference than
may perhaps exist between the schools of
the north and south ends OF st. Louis.
In other words, the methods and pro-
cesses are practically the same in all pro-
gressive communities OF our country Only
initiative and local conditions
serve TO differentiate the schools.
The preliminary work has alreay begun
% secure from foreign nations an equally
exhibit so that that great
1ortion Of the public interested in educa-
ion may have for comparative study the
systems Of every prominent
Iation.
Location of the Exhibit.
In the first draft OF the plans for the
grounds. education was given one of the
light large buildings near the main en-
rance; but with the consummation of
he Washington University deal il is prob
BILE that the EDUCATIONAL Building VIII
ccupy one Of the large temporary struc-
ures TO be erected on the grounds thus
cquired. BY the use of University Hall,
ow practically completed, for the Ad
Building. the business cen
re of the fair becomes transferred to |
be University Grounds. One of the two |
lain entrances of the exposition Will be |
ltuated here. and the terminal facilities |
rill be perfected with this in view.
Adjacent to the Educational Building |
i'll be The Social Economy Building. Hall |
( Congresses, and Anthropological eX- |
ibit which will bring within one area |
be scientific and educational agencies of |
he exposition. The area to be occupied |
Drms one Of the most beautiful and com
handing sites Of the proposed exposition |
rounds. The atmosphere which will sur |
ound the University Hill and plain will 1
c OF the highest type Of exposition ef- |
acts. and one which will commend it. |
elf both to American and European edu- |
ators.
Washington University Site.
President Francis, Of the Louisiana
urchase Exposition Company, in discuss
lg the negotiations for the lease of the
Washington University property, made
ie following statement: Washington
University site will be enclosed within
ne limits Of the fair grounds, and all of
ne new buildings OF that institution will
rn1 fnr hn ~ hn !
he university grounds comprise about
10 acres. and upon them have been
'ected during the past two years educa-
onal buildings which have cost approM-
stely $1,000, 600.
eted, but all now in course of con-
ruction viii be finished within the next
K months. The exposition company will
We liberal compensation TO the uniyer-
ty for the use OF its grounds and build
gs, but the entire consideration for such
ie will be put into the erection OF addi-
onal buildings, and into the establish
ent OF the grounds for the use of the ex-
,sition. thus affording unparalleled ad-
.ntages for an educational exhibit"
Plans Nearly Complete.
The architects have nearly completed
" pAah Aoi AhS tuuNaAioiial DuilulnSb anu 1
will be definitely determined at a very
rly date. Action in this respect has
.en suspended during the negotiations
d transfer of the university property
year and half is none too much time |
r the preparation and collection OF the
ucational exhibit. and active prepara-
ms are being rushed forward. The re-
les which have been received by the
ief OF the department thus far in ref |
ence to participation are most encour- |
ing, and there is no anxiety felt on the | ,