Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-26
INTEREST IN COLLEGES GROWS
cchnIcsI school. All Rirh, In rheir
place. hut BROADER EducN-
tIor Needed.
ttrom stna Oorrospondent)

tFrom n stnn Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. S5.-r(SpeoiaLl-Mr
5. l.. Johnson, secretary and treasurer OF
hastings .tNeb) college. who has been In
Washington for few days pushing for the
ompletion OF the 100000 endowment fund.
las been even more successful than he an
.icipated. Attentions have been accorded
aim by the members OF the Nebraska dele
,ation. Rev Mr. Montgomery Of the class
Il 80. Mr. and Mrs William e. Andrews.
Hho were former teachers at the college
lnd by the Nebraska colony generally.
Previous to his departure for the west
Mr. Johnson. who has been connected with
college work for number OF years and
whose ability is shown IN the work he has
lone Tor the Hastings institution. said: 1T
Ia matter OF satisfaction taat the atten-
ton OF educators is reverting to the Inn
portance OF the college of liberal arts.
There Is no question OF the popularity OF
the technical school and the institutions
md course of study evoked by the indus
trial and commercial spirit OF our time.
Even I'm the east where the college holds
almost Its pristine position OF influence,
there Is now a vast army of students who
have no time nor inclination towards the
study OF the classics. OF literature, of the
arts and sciences. In our western states
where the college has never been strong
influence. IL is not surprising that young
men and women have cut out OF their plans
the old -fashoned classical courses and
flocked 70 the business, normal and tech
meal schools. and TO the mechanical. asrl-
cultural, electrical and engineering courses.
To the tendency Of the young people there
has been added either the Indifference Of
parents as to what course their sons ana
daughters pursue or their preference for
an education OF immediate commercial
value. The demands of vast industrial en-
terprlses for technically trained men and
women has added momentum 20 this edu.
cational tendency. until the situation is Sc
rlous and fun of danger 10 the welfare OF
young people and endangers the educational
distinction OF our country
while young people, and Indifferent or
ideal lacking parents. are neglecting the
college and Its standard OF scholarship, IL u
refreshing TO read the protests OF those who
have most at heart the intellectual prestige
Of our country. As these protests come
largely from the heads of technical schools
and universities, they indicate more
strongly the just ground OF public atten-
ton. A column article i'm recent Issue
of the Pittsburg Gazette, from the secretary
OF the Carnegie Technical school in that
city. in which he sounds the cry. Back to
the Classics and to a broader and higher
culture and idealisn. Is one of the strong
indications of the turning of the tide, or
OF the necessity OF the turning Of the tide.
Technical education without the classics
and n broad idealism cannot come to fruit
Mr. Carnegies great gift of s5Ooo,ooo at
Pittsburg cannot produce It's proper results
upon a mere quid pro quo basis or any
low plane.
ut Is good news TO the many friends OF
our colleges in Nebraska that assurances
Of appreciation of their self-sacrlncing work
are increasing The utterances Of Presi-
dent Hadley year ago. and the definite
plans OF Princeton university In practical
application OF these ideas, are showing the
trend Educators and discriminating par
ents are awake to the high interests In
volyed Men and women who are con-
.stantly studying the tendencies OF our social
life are expressing by their benefactions the
proper support OF their conclusions. have
had good announcement in my short visit
! east. and the following letter adds Its testt-
| mony to the value OF the cause and will
be greatly appreciated by Hastings col
| leee friends. Omitting personal references,
the letter is as follows
Isthmian Canal Affairs Once Of Adn,iu
| iafration, January is, 1906 My Dear Mt
! JOHNSON. Agreeable to our conversation or
| today. ] beg leave to advise, that / am
| willing to paw TO Hastings college OF Has-
| tinas Neb., $500 on demand. 80 Pfedi-
| Gated mon your ability to raise the 300 90
| for endowment purposes Very truly
| yours. 1. r. sHONIS'.