Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-11
PUBLIC LECTURES IN SCHOOLS.
BY Frederic j. Haskin


struction to the 641, 900 or more children,
and the cost of it all to the city this year
was seven and a half million dollars. The
public lectures reach the adults at an an
nual cost of 100000. Six years ago three
centers were opened where the lectures
were given in Yiddish, and three where
they were given in Italian. The lectures
in the foreign tongues are chiefly on
American institutions and history; the
rights and duties of American citizens;
sanitation and hygiene.
Usually the same people attend GER
tain center year in and year out but the
circulation of a notice that there will be a
lecture, for example, on Switzerland. will
find general gathering of the people of
that nation from all over the city to hear
again stories of the home land. More
than once as pictures of southern Europe
are shown. one can hear in Italian, or
French or Greek. half sobbing exclama-
ton of recognition. Six years ago there
were six lectures given in French by dis
tinguished lecturers from France. During
the past year a series was given in Ger
man. In this closing year the lectures
have ranged anywhere from Shake
speare's gentlemen and the evolution of
the Dutch nation, to city administration
and Wagners operas; from electricity
and magnetism, wireless telegraphy and
the making of coal tar dyes, to crises in
American history and travels through the
entire known world.
And all this, remember, is without
money and without price to any and all
who care to attend. The lectures are adj
vertised widely and as carefully by
those in charge as in any high-priced
theatre attraction by the most Jealous
advertising agent. The newspapers give
liberal space, and printed announcements
of each lecture are spread far and wide.
For each lecture center a bulletin has
been printed, giving the location of the
lecture hall, the dates of the lecture and
the names of the lecturers. On each is
also printed the titles of reference books
that will help in understanding the lee
ture. and the location of the nearest IL
braries. The public libraries enter most
heartily into the spirit of the work. and
arrange books for distribution. Large
placard announcements are put in shops,
factories and public buildings and every
means possible is used to attract the at
tention of the people toward the lectures.
Not only is the foreign element but Of
ten the native one, is ignorant of the
history and government of the city in
which it lives. So very wisely, on the
two hundred and fifteenth anniversary
of the founding of New York as a munic-
ipality, q supplementary course of lee
lures on the history of New York was
given in nearly ha1f the centers, and in
thirty outdoor exhibitions in the city
parks, about 331 900 people attending. Lee
gal holidays have often been chosen as
lecture days, with the story of the day
told, and birthdays of great men have
been commemorated by special lectures.
Scientists have gone before these au-
diences to tell of new discoveries: ex-
plorers to tell of the arduOus journeys
they have made; authors to tell of their
work; scholars to tell of the old world
literature; art lovers and nature lovers
with pictures galore to throw on the
screens; physicians telling of the care of
! the body and its health and with specific
| instructions regarding the contagion OF
/ diseases and the cure of tuberculosis.
, After every lecture questions may be
asked, and at the end of certain courses,
| examinations are held for those who
wish them.
In Chicago the free lectures for the
adult population are given by the Chi
cago Daily News. That paper rents
from the Chicago board of education the
|! assembly halls of public schools in va
rious parts of the city. and on Friday
nights throws these open to the general
public when lectures are given primari-
" as a form of entertainment, and sec
ondarily as a means of education. The
aim is to get wholly adult attendances,
but some of the parents have to bring
their children. There are eighteen CEN
tiers open every Friday night from Oc-
t2ber or November to June, and the total
number of lectures given year is now
500.
The Chicago News began this work IL
1902, giving only ninety lectures that year.
In seven years the number of lectures
and the attendance have more than treb-
led. The halls rented for the lectures seat
from 500 TO 500 persons and being mode
re-proof. we'll ventilated. well lighted
dnG fitted with folding chairs. they arc
attractive centers for appreciative audi
-nCes to eether in. The speakers are cit
izens of Chicago who volunteer for til,
GOOD work, and all expenses incidental t.
this movement are borne by the News.
A few, too few, cities have followed New