Evening star., 1901-07-11
TEACHING ECONOMICS
Teachers Interested in Its Introduce
tion in the Public Schools.
LIVELY DEBATE At n. E. 4. MEETING
Large Attendance at the Light
Guards Armory. Detroit.
TEXT OF THE SPEECHES

DETROIT. July 1.-THE intense interest
among educators on the subject Of teaching
economics in the public school systems of
the country was reflected in the attendance
upon this mornings session of the National
Educational Association, which was de-
voted to 1t. Although the Light Guard Ar
mory was very close when President Green
called the session to order. there were 5000
teachers present.
Talking extemporaneously, Prof. George
E. Vincent of the University of Chicago
made splendid and enthusiastically ap-
plauded address on Social Science and the
Curriculum
"All subjects in the present curriculum.
particularly literature, lend themselves to
the social point of view said Prof. Vim
cent, after announcing that he did not want
another subject added to the curriculum.
Using apt illustrations, he showed how all
the present studies can be socialized. He
also urged on the teachers the necessity and
benefits of correlation of the different
studies Discussing the effect that socializa
ton would have on the moral character OF
the curriculum, Prof. Vincent said:
'At present there are two standards OF
honesty-one to be used in relations with
individuals and the order to be used in re-
lations with corporations 1t is not so
much the educational side of socialization
we should think Of but the sentimental
side. Specialization of American education
means much toward increasing the ac-
quaintance of the people with the forces
that underlie American Institutions; but
II means more than that: 1T means the
awakening of the students and through
them the people to those instantaneous i'm
pulses toward right doing and thinking
that ought to govern all of US.
Professor F. w. Speirs Of Philadelphia
was the next speaker. on Ideals and
Methods of Economic Teaching
Prof. Speirs' Remarks.
In opening Prof. Speirs emphasized the
Importance Of economic training for the
great mass of citizens. THE chief ideal
of economic teaching" said he. should be
the training of men and women to think
straight and 10 vote right upon the eco
nomic propositions which are an ever-in-
creasing proportion of the political issues
in modern democracy. And l do not un-
dervalue the disciplinary value OF eco
nomics.' Discussing what economic studies
should be given children of high school
age. Prof. Speirs said: Certain funda-
mental social laws are well established
any proposition in geometry. And 1t is
within the pale Of established economic
truth that the secondary school must work,
although the student may properly be al
lowed an occasional glance into the arena
wherein opposing theories are struggling
for recogniton.,
The speaker declared that effective in
structiOn in economics demands high
teaching skill, and said:
1.-The greatest danger of elementary in
struction on this subject lies in the fact
that the student may absorb half truths
of the text books social axfoms and go
out into practical life to make application
OF his rules. which would make their au-
thor shudder. The student of economies
must be taught that the principles he
learns are to be applied with discretion to
the varied conditions he will meet"
After telling Of what he considered an
ideal teacher Of economies, Prof. Speir
said: "If such specially trained, thor
Oughly equipped teacher cannot be obtain
ed omit the subject from the curriculum" +"
Favor a National University.
Despite strong opposition on the part OF
those opposed to a national university. the
National Educational Association today
adopted a resolution reaffirming its former
declaration in favor of such a university
The resolution. which was offered by Presi-
dent Jesse of the University of Missouri
at the business Immediately following the
morning session. read
Resolved, That this association hereby
reaff1rms it's former declaration in favor of
the establishment by the national govern
ment Of a national university, devoted not
to collegiate, but to true university work.
DIR. N. M. Butler Of New York moved
that it be laid on the table. but was voted
down overwhelmingly. and the original res
olution adopted. The report of the COM
mittee on nominations which named DR..
w. N. Breadschear of Iowa College for
president, and c. M. Keyes Of Hartford.
Breadschear led to the platform. where he
made brief talk. "An for one and one
for ALL" he said, would be his sentiment as
president of the association.