New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-04
COMMERCIAL EDUCATION FOR GIRLS.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir There is educational movement begin
ming n Germany which is fraught with far-reach-
ing consequences. The same methods which have
been applied with such remarkable success to the
training Of boy apprentices in the Industrial and
commercial schools of the empire TO be
applied to the education and training OF girls who
may seek TO better their condition IN life
In February 1902. the Commercial Charitable
Union for Women Employees approached the Berlin
Chamber Of Commerce with the proposition that
the commercial schools for girls which the union
had founded should pass to the management of
the Chamber of Commerce. These schools
sisted of a commercial school, with instruction dur
ing the day for girls who were unemployed and
with instruction during the evening for girl as
gistants and a school for teaching typewritns.
The total attendance at these schools had reached
eight hundred thus rendering them too large to be
managed properly by the charitable union. The
Chamber of Commerce took over the control of
these schools October l, 1902
The advent Of into the offices OF mer-
chants and manufacturers bookkeepers stenog
raphers etc is characteristic OF the present age:
and the fact that there more women than
mem and that the number Of unmarried women IS
on the Increase especially in the large cities Of
the erupire makes it apparent that the plan of
enUIovinE girls in business houses should be
courared from a moral as well from a social
standpoint. The Berlin Chamber of Commerce
takes the ground that the better young women
are trained to I'LL such places the better viii they
enumeration and social standing WIFI be improved
accordingly.
The pace which Berlin has set is being followed
raDldIy by other German cities. In Munich. in the
Riererschmidt Commercial School, 603 girls ap-
rIied for admission in 1902 This school estab-
ushed by private enterprise. the city of Munich
asslIuinE control of II recently. The subjects
Taught include English. French stenOgraphy. type
,rrfTinr history and vocal music In Cassel the
ritv authorities have decided that girl apprentices
and assistants in the business houses of the city
shan attend the years course OF instruction
given in the commercial school for boys. In Dus-
eei6orf on April / last the commercial school
Which had been founded in 1896 by the Women's
i-nion PASSED into the hands OF the city Chamber
~ Commerce The curriculum Of this school con
Set Of two years similar that Of
Ninpich In Cologne n remarkable feature Of the
VI - school for girls is the museum which
contains many articles of manufacture and ma
teriaIs of commerce. presented by interested mer-
chants and manufacturers The teachers have
faund mis- museum of great assistance to them,
ana depend upon 1t to large extent in giving IN
efrI,cfion from the practical standpoint
~ommercaI education for girls has thus received
offiriaI recognition In many cities of the German
Et,.nira ana as time goes ON these girls will swell
~ ranks of that trained army OF experts when
has ACCOMPLISHED more than any other one factor
IN make German commerce and industries WHAT
49,, ara to-day ARTHUR MARVIN,
'ieS - Principal High School.
Schenectady N Y. Dec %. 1893.