The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1908-05-15
THE DAVIS SCHOOL BILL.

The recent convention of LOO teachers OF
Washington at Pullman gave its Endorsement to
the Davis Bill now before Congress, that provides
for the establishment of agricultural high schools
which shall give instruction in the principles OF
agriculture, domestic science and mechanics This
bill requires the several states to first provide the
grounds the farm and the school buildings, max
ing the payment of the semi-annual amounts pro-
vided thereby dependent upon the right use of pre-
ceding sums and placing the Secretary of Agrl-
culture in control of all disbursement.
President Bryan of the washington State Col
ege said of the bill "The Davis bill provides
for technical, industrial, and practical education,
as distinguished from the old theory of educating
all alike, regardless of his type, or the life he is
to lead This is an idea that is prevalent in many
countries, and, in the opinion OF many OF our
greatest educators, must in the near future be the
dominant theme of modern learning 1t is in
tended to provide for the education OF the farm
ing class, and others engaged in technical or in
dustrial occupations. Through technical training
in the practical affairs of life, it seeks to keep
the youth of the nation out or the peasant OF
submerged class"
The leading educational men of the United
States as well as many educational organizations,
farmers associations state colleges OF agriculture
and mechanic arts, commercial organizations,
boards of trade, manufacturers organizations anu
industrial organizations have Endorsed this bill,
and are lending their influence to have it favorably
acted upon President Roosevelt has also given
his hearty and full Endorsement to the measure.
Judge Peter J. Shields of Sacramento, COM
ments on this bill as follows: Zone of the most
fruitful fields of the education of the future will
be nature, the wondrous world we live in, and OF
this field agriculture comprehends it's best fea-
lures This bill is broader than that however.
including mechanics and domestic science within
it's purposes. sure that vigorous distribu-
ton of learning in these arts and sciences can
do no harm and will do incalcuable good. l am
not afraid of vulgarizng the world or making it
what is called utitarian by teaching all of the
people to know plants and animals; through do
nestle science to feed the body with wholesome
food and the soul with all the finer things which
are comprehended within the limits of the real
home; or through the mechanic arts which train
mems bodies to their highest usefulness, and to
give expression to the minds best conceptions.
II am not afraid of the fate of country whose
people are largely given over to breeding perfect
animals, rearing crops of best excellence, build
ing good roads, labor-saving machinery, automo'
biles and railroads; constructing convenient
houses furnishing them perfectly and making
real homes for them to the building of bathtubs,
arranging plumbing weaving fine cloths and max
ing them into right form If the doing of such
things does not make for peace and union for
moral industry and wholesome progress then my
judgment is hopelessly at fault.
"Nor can 1 doubt that out of such conditions
will surely spring the soundest moral and intel
ectual culture and impulse The bill represents
this general direction and purpose, and have no
hesitation in pronouncing it sound and wise"