The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-09
Mr.. MoseIy Is Confident the schools Of
England VIII Profit by the COM
missions American Tour.
SOME VIEWS OF AMERICA
JOHN wHITBURN IMPRESSED BY UN-
FINISHED ASPECT OF COUNTRY.
In Chicago the Members of the Conn
mission Were rendered Banquet
by Prominent Citizens.


tional Commission of England. which is
making a tour OF the United States inspect
ing American public schools. colleges and
universities, arrived in Indianapolis last
evening and will spend the day mere visiting
the city schools. The party Is stopping at
the Claypool Hotel.
Those in the party that arrived last even
Ing are: Alfred Mosely. G. M. c., of Lon
don: Harry Coward. president of the Ma
tional Union OF Teachers of England; Prof.
John Rhys, professor of Celtic in the Uni
versity of Oxford; the Rev. T. L. Papillon,
vicar OF Writtle. Essex. and John Whit
burn, member OF the Newcastle-on-Tyne
educational committee. Miss Mosely, Mr..
Mosely's daughter accompanies the party.
and other members of the commission will
arrive this morning.
Mr. Mosely, who is one OF the famous
South African diamond kings, is paying all
the expenses of the commission from
desire to improve the schools of his coun-
try He had the project under consideration
for two years, and this fall gathered about
him thirty-one OF the representative edu-
. Gators or England and brought them to the
United States for a two months tour. The
party landed In New York Oct 10, spent
ten days in inspecting the public schools
and other educational institutions Of that
city, and proceeded thence to Washington.
Baltimore. Philadelphia. Boston and Chi
cago. spending last week in the last-named
city. From Indianapolis they will go to
Dayton TO inspect the establishment OF the
National Cash Register Company. From
Dayton they will go to Pittsburg. and from
that city to New York. sailing for England
Nov. IA.
ATTRACTED TO AMERICA.
When seen at the Claypool last night Mr..
Mosely averred that he is not an educator,
and therefore not competent to discuss or
pass judgment OH what he has seen OF the
educational systems of the United States.
He said he was led to create the commits
sion and bring 1t to this country because of
the remarkable proficiency displayed by
American engineers In South Africa.
: THE American engineer made South
Africa he said. He said that he and the
late Cecn Rhodes were associated in dia-
mond mining. and that his own mines were
about 10 become Improbable, the English
engineers being unable to improve their
condition. when the ability of engineers
from the United States rescued his enter
prise from failure.
And that Is why / determined to bring
q commission OF educationalists to the
United States" added Mr.. Mosely. II
thought IL your schools could produce such
men as that. there was much to learn over
here OF Immense practical advantage to the
English system OF education. A Chicago
engineer. the late Louis Seymour. was one
OF tho most valuable aids TO General Butler.
But for his skill in constructing bridges
and other engineering works the Beers
would have overrun Natal. with what con-
sequences fear TO contemplate"
Mr.. Mosely. however, speaks in laudatory
educational he ha
met In, this country and expresses the be-
lief that the foundation OF Americas COM
mercial success rests on its educational
system In speaking of Chicago and his
visit in that city he said:
Chicago Is well worth studying from
any point OF view, but to the educa tionalist
IL seems TO me from what / have seen and
heard during the past week 1t is especially
worthy of attention 1 do not speak a
teacher, but as an observer OF the impress
sions made on the members OF the commits
sion- Aside from that, any one must lie
struck by the almost magical growth OF
some OF the largest and best schools in the
world In so short a space of time Such in
stituttons insure the permanent greatness
OF the city. There appears 10 be almost
educational matters. but this will be dis s.
placed in time by higher ideals, once the
people feel confident of the sufficiency of
their achievements in this direction
HARRY CowARD'S VIEWS.
Harry Coward. who is at the head of the
teachers. spoke of his experience In Chi
cago. saying:
Education. freedom and hospitaIity are
three Of the distinguishing features of Chi
cago- In some particulars the schools
there lead the world They seize the latest
and best Ideas and develop them as no
other city does. The universities. created
so recently and brought TO such an ad-
vanced state In so brief a time, are mar
vels: the technical schools are as good as
any. and the public school system could
hardly be improved upon. There is one
feature Of the public schools 1 cannot COM
pliment- The system OF compulsory edu-
cation Is farce. Chicago has but twenty
truant officers, while London has 523 and
each OF our officers does more work than
John Whitburn, OF NewSa Tyne
has been especially impressed by the Amer
lean college youth. and finds wide con-
trast between him and the English student
The American college boy Is an inter
esfing study 10 me because of the differ
ence between him and the English stu
dent" said Mr.. Whitburn. An assemblage
OF American college youths seems regard
les OF everything when IL seeks 10 express
approval or disapproval. There has not
yet been cultivated In the boys due respect
for some things, and this / attribute TO the
newness OF things. AS Britishers we have
been impressed with the unfinished aspect
OF your country which Is too busy making
money TO solve the greater and highei
problems or life
Professor Rhys. OF the University of Ok.
ford was particularly interested last night
In making inquiries concerning Purdue Uni.
versity OF which he said he had heard 4
{ great deal. he expressed regret that Purdue
+ Il not situated nearer indianapolis, SO thai
. he might have an opportunity 10 visit the
institution during the short time the com.
mission will be In this city.
Mr.. Mosely stated that upon the return Il
England the members of the commission
Will prepare and publish an exhaustive re.
port or their observations and impression.
OF American schools. and they did no
care 10 anticipate that report they woule
not discuss at any length the schools ans