The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-27

pies Accuracy is the result of careful
thoughtful drill in mathematical pro-
cesses. Speed comes a result of the
elimination of all unnecessary work in
calcula ton.
WHAT is A SHORT CUT?
A short cut is process stripped of all
unnecessary work For the railroad man
it is to take on water while the train is
making speed of sixty miles an hour.
For the owner of city buildings it is to
! hoist persons and property by the use
/ of an elevator. For the business man it is
/ to do business by telegraph and tele-
| phone and make use of shorthand, type
writer and monograph. For the news
| paper man it is the use of the linotype.
/ the stereotype and the cylinder press.
! For the farmer ii is to prepare his ground
with gang plow throwing fifteen 16-inch
! burrows at once. drawn by traction en-
| CINE, or threshing and harvesting his
| grain with a machine cutting a 1S-foot
swath For the governmental depart
ment it is to add ten items at once by
the use of ten electrical machines con-
trolled by one operator using a single
lever For the builder it is to hoist build
ing material by the use of a derrick or
elevator propelled by steam of motor
power. For the calculator ii is the math-
ematical process stripped of all verbiage
and unnecessary work. In general. it is
brain cell action unhindered by encum-
be-ing thought.
In active life not all tasks can be short
ened to the extent that the method may
be termed a short cut neither can all
4
hence the pupil must learn to obtain re-
suits by the shortest process possible.
provided that it be q process whose I'M
DERIVING principles can be easily compre-
hended
If it is a correct principle that in his
quest for culture man should seek the
| highest good. or, in other words. that
man should obtain the maximum of re-
suits with the minimum of time and eff
fort. then short cuts are imperative.
All mankind. from the beginning of civ
ilization has accepted this principle and
bent every energy toward the invention
of labor saving machinery. Man in all
ages has accepted the principle that all
things were created for his convenience
and has harressed the wind and compel-
ed it 70 drive his boat and pump water
for his use. He has compelled the water
TO grind his food. weave his clothing and
prepare material for his shelter and lux
ures for his home. He has snatched the
lightning from the clouds and forced it TO
carry his messages around the world,
carry him to and from his business. re-
cord his voice and words for future gen
erations. and provide music for his even
ing hours.
Since mathematical processes enter very
largely into all the affairs Of mankind.
the child must be prepared to play his
part: hence all mathematical training
should have a bearing either directly or
indirectly upon its application 10 practical
life. Practical life mentioned in this con-
nection does not mean money getting. but
must be interpreted in the broader sense
of life of doing. An education which
has in view the culture value only is of
4 very narrow and worthless sort. and
the duty to the child is but half done.
The mathematical training that fits a
child for life II service viii be brim-
ming full Of culture value.