The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-09-16

Since all investment begins with
savings, il is interesting and helpfTl
to see what has been accomplished by
the school savings banks which arr
now scattered throughout twenty-five
states, and which have been, during
their twenty-five years of existence. a
really constructive and uplifting infiU-
eHce in the lives of thousands OF
young Americans.
The beginning of these banks was
significant. Early in the sixties a
young Belgian, named J. H. Thirty.
landed in New York with his wife.
He had been for some years in the
employ of his home government as
clerk But he had come from sturdy
and thrifty farmer stock, and the con
f1nement OF his work was not to Ms
liking. He liked America and deciI-
ed to remain on this side. He opened
a secondhand book shop and pros
peTed- He had spent much time in the
great art galleries abroad, and soon
added pictures to his stock-in-traie
One of the first things that i'm
pressed him in the United States was
the fact that American children, as a
rule, had more money to spend than
the children he had known and seen
in Belgium and elsewhere on the con
t1nent So he said: Extravaganza
in youth means extravaganza in age
II is all right for children to want
candy, saltwater, and chewing gum
But there is no reason why they
should spend all their money on it.
They should learn the habit of saving
and there is no better place to begin
than in the schools If they save their
pennies they will save their clothes,
their shoes and their books Besides,
the parents win probably follow their
example"
1t happened that Mr.. Thirty had
taken up his residence in Long Island
City, which is located on Long Island,
just across the East River from New
York City He had become interested
in the public educational work there,
and was elected one of the public
school commissioners. His duties
brought him into contact with hun
dreds Of pupils, and, as he watched
them, he grew more and more con
WINGED that school savings-banks, or
some definite plan of teaching them to
save, would be of great value.
In 1885, after having made a study
or the foreign systems of school saw
ings-banks, he worked out a plan for
their introduction in this country, and
submitted 1t to his colleagues, who
adopted it. At that time Long Island
City was an Independent town tit is
now part of Greater New York;. and
the adoption of the plan meant that
it could begin at once. 1t was success
full from the start.
Thus was begun a work which has
become far-Teaching and significant
1t now extends to 1898 schools located
in 113 different cities and towns OF
the United States and Canada During
the period of their operation more
than $4,000. 900 has been saved by the
little depositors
The original plan of the school saw
ings-bank, as introduced by Mr. Thirty. |
has remained practically unchanged
BY its provisions every school teacher
whose class adopts the system be-
comes officially a bank and is so
designated. The bank, however, is
conducted under the supervision of
the principal of the school The teach |
er acts as first cashier. The deposits
are received every Monday morning
just before the weeks routine begins. !
The teacher calls the roll. and If the :
boy or girl has money to deposit. from
one cent up, he or she says Yes and |
hands 1t over to the teacher. who |
makes a note of the amount alongside |