The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-12
STATE BRANCH
IS ORGANIZED.
Strong Movement to Bring Ma.
tional Society to Richmond.
Objects Of Body.

A State branch OF the National So
ciety for the Promotion OF Industrial
Education was organized last night nj
the Virginia Mechanics Institute with
thirty-five members. The national or
ganizatIon will meet In annual con-
ventlon next November. either in Rich
mond or in Atlanta and the succegs
with which the Virginia branch per-
fected last night stars out should
augur we'll for the chances OF this
city In securing the big meeting.
Virginia Society.
Mr.. Frank w. Duke, superintendent
of the Virginia Mechanics Institute.
was made presiding officer OF the per-
manent organization. Mr.. Julian a.
Burruss, director OF manual training In
the public schools OF this city. was
made secretary, and the unanimtus
feeling OF those present was that tho
local society Will succeed in attaining
Its present object. Already the Cham
Der OF Commerce. the city government,
the Business Mems Club. Che state gov
eminent, the University OF Virginia.
the Virginia Polytechnic Institute. ,ie
Richmond Education Association and
the Virginia Mechanics Institute have
extended invitations to the general So
cety to come to Richmond, and much
personal influence has been brought
to bear upon the members OF the execu-
tive committee, who will decide the
matter next week in Boston.
Some of the members of the Virginis
organization are Hon. j. d. Egelestou
Jr., MIR. r. C. Stcarnes, Mrs. r. u,
Munford. DR.. II. r. Mc1lwatne. DR.. =
A. c. Chandler. Mr. w. ]. Whitehurs.
Mr.. w. f. Richardson. DIR. p. 3. Bar
ringer. DR. Bruce r. Payne. Mr.. w ~
Duke, Mr. James y. Doher;y. Mir w. y
hN W. ha
resentative of no particular enterprise.
but rather Of that body OF intelligent
citizens who fully appreciate the neces.
sity OF industrial education for the
masses.
IndustrinI Education.
The discussions at the session
brought out some important facts
about Industrial education.
The old apprenticeship system has
gone. not entirely by design but rather
as result of the enormous increase
In demand for manufactured commodi.
for training a skilled workman. Manu-
factnrers are looking for men who
can do the work without going to the
has been developed to It's highest st point 1n
and the result is seen In the spe-
esialization Of every shop. "A man
learns in this way one machine and
is not encouraged to do more.
Education lis that training which
enables. the child to adapt himself to
his environment. Sixty per cent. OF the
white people of this community earn
their livelihood by manual labor and
q larger percentage leaves school at
fourteen or younger.
To give the boy training which
practically fits him for life. he should
get the theory. of his trade at school
and enough OF the manual dexterity
to enable him to hope to be a skilled
workman in few years. Such Il
a - ,c
prospective carpenter with different
applications than to the machinist. The
drawing would be taught so as to give
the one architectural ideas and the
other distinctive mechanical designs.
The sciences should in their applica-
penetrate directly into the vital prn-
ciples of the trade selected
To sum up the whole into a few
words. it is that this organization is
effected with the ultimate purpose OF
giving the working bay and girl A.
better chance than they now have OF
earning a competence.