The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-28
DECLARE SCHOOLS
NEGLECT FARMERS
EDUCATORS DEMAND INDUS
TRIAL TRAINING.
smyser Of Morris. Mayne Of Farm
School, and Other Speakers Point Out
Failure to Provide for the Agricul-
tural Communities.

SotASI Nu. -. "A. I-IOCcSuluES Oh rage ~
The high school council anad the as
ISOLATED school boards of the Minnesota
Educational association today went on
record as favoring industrial training to
meet the needs Of farming communities,
and for better training for rural school
teachers. A committee was appointed
to bring the matter to the attention Of
the next legislature. The committee is
made up Of G. j. Swendson of ST..
James; B. Bieri, secretary of the board
of education Of Wells; Seldom F. Smy-
ser, superintendent of schools of Nor
ris; and S. f. Perley of Moorhead
Action was taken on the matter only
after the entire morning had been oc-
cupied in discussion Of the subject. It
opened with the reading of paper
! Morris, on The County Agricultural
Normal Industrial High School, 1t
developed that sentiment was almost
unanimous in favor of agricultural-in-
dustrial schools, but that no one had
worked out satisfactory details, and
that there was much difference of opin-
ion as to the method of applying the
general principle to the needs of the
country districts.
Rights of Youth.
"Our youth should be able to gain
an industrial education without hav-
ing to commit crime,' was Mr..
Smyser's opening remark, referring to
ready established in state penal insti-
buttons. He told of the industrial az
ricultural schools in Norway and
Sweden, where they are called the
"people's high school,
"The establishment of such schools, -
he said, "appeals to people Of all
classes because the investment actually
pays farmers, merchants and all
classes He spoke of how farmers,
even in his own country, were losing
money because they do not know how
to to apply the scientific theory Of rotat;
school training, even if it only made e; a
betterment in crops Of rs cents to the
acre, would mean $4,000 year gain
to the farmers of Stevens county.
"Conditions at present demand agri-
cultural and industrial education,'' he
said. Discrimination in education is
far more serious than discrimination in
railroad rates.
Mr.. Smyser contended that too many
are today being fitted for commercial
and professional life. Professional
life is overcrowded as a .result,' he
ooAus oAu ttlC ouI plus 10 d parasitic
class upon the community. Why not
therefore modify conditions SO that
the system Of education will tend to
help the. community as we'll as indi-
viduals?'
He pleaded for more practical, more
material education of those high school
graduates who get teachers certificates
and go into country districts to teach
the application Of mathematics to farm
y Inc state needs the people 8
Minnesota system follow the Scandi-
navian schools, teaching practical in
dustrial subjects and requiring no en-
trance examinations. @.s.".3z:
Professor u. D. Wayne Of the state
school Of agriculture, St. Anthony
Park, spoke of trip to Hampton. Va.
where ne saw negroes and Indians Sc
curing industrial Quotations. He had
visited like institutions in Wisconsin
for Indians, and for incorrigible bows,
He thought the good white boy should
be given a like opportunity. =
s& Educational Revival. -
: - believe we are on the borders of
an educational revival in Minnesota, -
he said. It started with the law for
district school officers meetings. The
revival will give every boy and girl
the chance they ought to have. There
IS already a law for count agricultural
schools, which was fathered by Speaker
eject Lawrence johnson Of Minneapolis.
Al! 1t lacks is financial backing. -:
:. A resolution was adopted before ad-
Journment, as follows: -, :.
Resolved, That the high school
council and associated schooiboards in
joint session assembled, hereby express
themselves in favor of industrial train
Ing to meet the needs Of our farming
communities, and in favor of better
training for rural schoolteachers. ~
Resolved, That the chair be here
by empowered to appoint a legislative
committee of five members to Cooperate
with the general legislative Committee
of the, Minnesota Educational associa.
ton to promote legislation favoring
such better teachers training and in,
dustrial education.' = = -.
The hgh.school section elected new
tendent E. M. Philips of Albert Lea:
secretary, Superintendent E. H. Waite,
: Miss Louise E. Snyder, St. Louis
Park, president, and Miss Clara T.
Burnes,. Hopkins, secretary, have been
retained for the ensuing year by the
rural school section. : ~
Or. j. ?. Uhler Of Gustavus Adolphus
college, st. Peter, was elected president
OF the college section of the Minnesota
Educational association at the conclnd-
inc session of the association TODAY.
Inc other new officers are: Vice nresi.