The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-01-10

lead to an ever increasing number of
social problems. The relation between
these have become so numerous and
so close that an effort to solve any
one of them forces the consideration
also of those to which it is more
closely related. On account of this
the solution of any one of them con-
tributes to the solution of the others
of the group. An illustration of this
is the group to which attention Is
called in this paper
First, there is the tendency of soci-
ETY. to evade its problems and to avoid
their solution as long as possible and
To endure present inconvenience, worry
and later serious annoyance which
may be caused by them.
Second, the large element of our
population, the relatively unskilled and
inefficient workers found in every de-
rartment of industrial effort, con-
slant source of financial loss and
trouble.
Third, the strained relations between
the upper and lower social classes.
Fourth, the belief so general that
certain occupations carry with them
higher social standing.
Fifth, the increasing difficulties OF
rearing children in towns and cities;
the finding of suitable employments
for them and the maintenance of their
health.
Sixth, the specialization of the pub
lie school in the interest of the intel
lectual and sedentary classes.
As a people we have not learned
the art of solving problems. Such
work is left to him who will. When
problems vex us too seriously some
other occupation supposed to be free
the farmer removes to town and be-
comes business man and his sons
enter that short cut to sedentary life
the business college," the minister
becomes teacher, an editor or a real
estate and insurance agent. But es-
cane from trying vocation is often
impossible 1t is then that plans are
made to enable children to take up a
different occupation, or they are
shielded from vexing problems just
as long as possible even though it j:
certain that sooner or later they must
deal with some very trying ones.
This latter ideal finds expression in
Mark Twan's statement in regard to
the death of his daughter, Susy,-"Snsy
died at the right time, the fortunate
!. time of life, the happy age-twenty-
four years. At twenty-four such 8
; girl has seen the best of life-lif'
as a happy dream. After that ag'
the risk begins; responsibility comes
and with it cares, sorrows and tn
inevitable tragedy" Autobiography, n
A. Rev., lS3,964.)
To allow children especially daugh
ter, to reach maturity without SOM
training in meeting and solving tn
problems most likely to be met
to leave them helpless, dependent an
timid, exposed to great unhappines
and is to invite tragedy.
The larger number of the untraine'
and inefficient industrial workers come
from the 90 per cent who have no
y even finished the work in the grades
of the public schools, Massachusetts
two years ago had $4,000 children VIII
were not in school at all and VIII
were between the ages of Ia and 1t
During the year l904-05 the averag
attendance of the children of schoo
aoe-5 to l8--in the whole country wa
less than so per cent. With blu
slight equipment of any kind tn
larger number will likely be anon
those who are first to be discharge
when work becomes insufficient an
among the last to be re-employed b
those who know them best Thei
training for any employment is bu
indifferent.
Society has a right to be vitality IN
terested in it's humber workers sine
upon their intelligence, efficiency an
comfort depends in very great degre
the comfort and welfare of the HON
and the success of both public and pr
yate business enterprise. Class dis
tinctions there will always probably b.
but there is positive danger in real
inc children out of touch and sym
pathy with the working classes. Th
experiment has often been tried on
large scale and with the uniform re
suit of suffering and material losse
for all concerned.
For evidence of the strained relation
between the upper and lower elasse
it is necessary only to call attertfo
to the annual crop of 'lockouts, strikes
and boycotts and to the present statu
of those doing domestic Service. In
material losses from strikes alone ar
in the hundred millions of dollars.
The ideal that professional peoph
business people and those who do bu
little manual work are in preferre
social class has been widely accepted
With it has been placed premium
upon many forms Of helplessnes'
Many young women have no apologize
to offer for their ignorance Of domesti
economy and many young men fel
that in the city and in an office is tn
. onJx rocs;hla nIaca In which n bent f6