Middletown transcript., 1909-01-30
CRlLDREE's SAVINGS


| Consul Fl. Albert johnson, reporting
from Liege, says that one of the elements
contributing to the remarkable prosper.
ity OF Belgium and of the great moi 1rity
OF Belgian financial and industrial enter
prlses is undoubtedly to be found in their
habits, as a people, of thrift and judieious
economy. He traces the outcome OF this
trait as developed in the schools:
Some 40 years ago movement was in
itiated to encourage these habits OF econo-
my in the children attending the public
schools. As in the cast of most innova-
tions OF this nature, practical results tend
ing to confirm the wisdom ofsuch move
ment were slow in coming to the trout.
The movement found among the corps of
teachers many supporters, while on the
other hand large majority of the pro.
tessors and teachers resoIutely opposed
it. By some it was asserted that tile
organization of such a service would
prove to be cause OF disorder and
lack of discipline in the schools, Others
expressed doubts as to the efficacy of such
departure. However, after time an
agreement was reached and January |,
1869, the communal council decided TO
put the plan in operation.
Liege at that epoch possessed some 20
primary schools. The total sum deposit.
ed by the scholars of Is OF these schools
during this first year was $2589. Two
years later the total amount deposited was
reduced to $4S3 for 10 schools, and in 1874
only 8 schools out OF % put into practice
this system of saving on the part of the
scholars, although during this year the
total amount deposited reached $942.
Such meagre results. it must be admit
ted, were not encouraging, and held OUT
scant hope for the ultimate success of the
movement. Shortly after this the COM
munal council again took up the question
and after certain notifications had been
agreed upon, these savings institutions
seem to have been established on a more
solid basis, and from that time up to the
present they have continued to prosper
in highly satisfactory manner. The
objections on the part Of those opposing
the movement seem to have been event
ually overcome, SO that the institution
was then introduced into euery school. In
1876 philanthropic citizen of Liege do
mated 1000 francs ($l93) to be used in
the purchase of saving deposit books, to
be distributed to children whose means
we're limited. Later he gave 20C0 francs,
the interest on which was to be given rs
a prize each year to the director or di-
rectoress of that school in which the
greatest amount of zeal was shown on tie
part of the teaching body to encourage the
idea of saving among children. In 1875
another Liege philanthropist gave 5000
francs, to be distributed during the period
OF twenty years to the most meritoiious
scholars Of the primary schools who took
advantage of the savings institution.
These generous actions contributed in a
large measure to the prosperity of the
To day, when the ideas
of thrift have become such a part OF the
life of every nation, the desire TO save
and economize has taken complete hold
on the school children of this locality,
and the teaching element has taken up
The idea with enthusiasm and is doing
to further its development.
The figures given by the latest statistics
show that the period of ex-
pertinent has passed, and that the idea
IF an institution for school children's
Iavings has become an integral part of
he public school system OF this locality.
The total amounts deposited by the schol-
Irs of the Liege public schools at tile be-
,inning of the last scholastic year reach.
ID $50, 1853. to which may be added the
;36, $50 deposits made during the year.
rhe interest paid by the Government sav-
ngs banks on these deposits amounted
o $l361. The amounts Withdrawn by
ifferent pupils of the schools amounts
My to $2l, ,4S6 The the amount depos-
ted by the school children at the end of
last July reached 81 LIS.