The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-12
They VIII Build the school II Citizens
VIII Buy Arsenal Grounds
for site.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC CONFERENCE
INSTITUTES PURPOSE DECLARED TO
BE VITALITY IMPORTANT.
Education of Young Men for Indus
trial Campaign Better Than
Classical Culture.

establishment In Indianapolis Of an institute
OF technology. national in scope and inter-
UNCONVENTIONAL in character. was strength
ened and given added impetus by meet
ing last night in the Commercial Club OF
men who are known for their ability TO
make things 60" and who are determined
that the movement shall succeed. The pur-
pose of the meeting was TO give Sol e
Dckey. Wilbur Chapman and Thomas
Kane, OF the Winona Assembly, and Walter
NJ. Smith of New York. opportunity TO
state TO representatives Of indianapolis in
terests the details of plan which has been
evolved for the establishment of the insti-
tute, and for the local men in turn TO give
such assurances of support as they might
desire It was desired also to discuss in
general way what the establishment of an
institute OF a technical nature would mean
20 this city-what its value would be-
The ends Of the meetings were we'll at
tanned From Mr. Dickey and the men as
ISOLATED with him it was learned that
corporation has been formed. known as the
winona Agricultural and Technical Insti-
tute. capitalized at 10000. This associa-
ton was organized in Pittsburg six weeks
ago and has for its purpose the establish
ment of the institute contemplated. At the
Pittsburg meeting Walter M. Smith, OF
New York member OF a well-known firm of
commission merchants. was elected presi-
dent of the board of directors. The corpora
ton stands ready to endow the institute,
provided that enough money is raised in
this city 10 purchase the arsenal grounds
for the site. From the Indianapolis men of
affairs who were present in a personal
capacity or as representing an institution
A. was learned that every effort would De
made not only 10 impress Indiana repre-
sentatives in Congress with the necessity
of laboring for the purchase OF the arsenal
grounds, but also TO obtain all the money
necessary 10 buy the grounds when the
governments consent TO sell is obtained
The assurances Of support which the VS.
iting men received were earnest and hearty
Besides all this, the dozen or more who
made speeches commented on the value 10
Indianapolis of such a school, Speeches
were made by representa- ves of the Com
1nercial Club, of the Board of Trade, of the
University of Indianapolis, OF the School
Board of the clergy and of the banking and
business interests. The sentiment was en-
phasized ths the movement is the great
est and the most potential which has been
taken up in Indianapolis for many years
and that II must not fail for lack OF sup
port
ing In explaining the purpose for which
the meeting was called he said: we have
met 10 initiate great enterprise. We
would all like TO lend a hand according
10 strength and ability in laying the
cornerstone Of the institution we have In
10lnd. he asked the REV. j. CUMMING
Smith 10 pronounce the invocation.
MR.. DICKEY EXPLAINS.
Mr.. Diekey explained the purpose of the
movement at some length. This is no
new movement" he said I'VE have long
wondered how we could have school inter-
denominatlonal in character and yet pos
sessing the important essential OF denom-
national backing. We who interested
in winona determined upon the forma-
ton of second Winona company, the OBJ
Ject of which should be the establishment
of the kind of school we had in mind
Six weeks ago we held meeting in Pitts
burg. at which the corporation was formed
with capital stock OF 100000 held in trust
by the SECRETARY OF the Winona Assembly.
We found that il would be impossible to
establish a trade school at WinOna, because
81 Is out in the country and the necessary
environment of the city is lacking. While
we cast about for a location the arsenal
grounds presented a possible site. Then
this movement began What is necessary
first Of all Is that the government will con-
sent 10 sell the grounds. The next thing
is that they be purchased by you people
stitute We stand ready TO endow the in
stitute If you will give us the site
Thomas Kane. of Chicago, president OF
the Winona Assembly and a director OF the
Lewis Institute. of Chicago, was emphatic
in his eulogism of the value of the technical
school lie explained the work being done
IN Chicago by the Lewis Institute and the
famous Armour Institute. and declared that
both schools had trouble graduating pupils
for the reason that there was such a de-
mand for their services on the part of in
dustrial concerns in search of young men
who knew things or practical value.
This IS the kind of school," he said,
THAT teaches men 10 be masters of men in
the industrial world. That is what is need
ed here. and there will be no trouble in
getting pupils. Colleges and universities
are common enough, but technical schools
are in demand. The arsenal grounds are
suitable in every way. and the buildings
are valuable and Well adapted for machin-
cry" He repeated that school of a tech
meal nature would be of far more value
10 Indianapolis than a university for clas-
steal education.
j. Wilbur Chapman. chancellor of Wi
mona had the following TO say: 1T was
determined al the Winona meeting that the
school while not bound by denominations
ties. should be Christian II is our ideal
that every boy who goes from II shall be a
Christian. whether he goes forth as a min
This is the kind OF school moneyed men
will be glad 10 support. There are so many
boys that need this kind OF school There
are so many boys that need technical
training in a Christian school We believe
that many boys who are going 10 ruin now
will be trained be useful members OF
society. This school is TO give the boys a
chance and believe in ten years time In
dianapolis Will feel deeply the influence OF
such an institute. We are in the business
10 make men.
W J.. Richards declared the school
should certainly be national in its activi-
ties as well as interdenominational in char
acter There is no such school in the
United States at the present time" he
said and the one we are considering
would be unique In many ways | have
great faith In the ability OF Indianapolis
people 10 take advantage OF a good thing
when they see IL and for that reason / be-
lieve the institute will not fail Of financial
support"
mercial Club said. This school will be
OF value in pushing 10 the front the mate
rial interests OF Indianapolis. AS a mere
matter Of dollars and cents IL will pay well
aside from the humanitarian side 1t will
be nursery OF genius and talent from
which the city will reap a rich harvest
This movement has the Endorsement Of the
board OF directors OF the Commercial Club
and ! know that the club will further the
movement I'm every way possible The
movement Will succeed because II has be-
hind IL men with the capacity OF doing
things we'll
A SUBSCRIPTION OF $500.
NJ B. Wilson. who introduced By
Mr. Harris as in a sense representing the
banking interests OF the city said: IN
dianapols Is the center OF civilization and
population OF the United States and there
could be no better place for the establish
rnent OF such a school While il will b
diffcult. perhaps. 10 raise all the money
necessary. yet II can be done by earnest
M