Putnam patriot., 1909-09-10
Trade Schools in Connecticut.


 As we before announced, the last Legislature appropriated so DO to es- tabii.h two Trade Schools ip the State, --sofuewhat as an experiment. Their location k appropriately left to the State Board Of Education, which k at present looking over the field 10 decide where, all things considered, are the 1 two towns best suited to make the ex- pertinent an assured success--as failure would be serious disaster.
 We suppose one Of the schools will be located on the west side Of the State and the other on the east side. We have not seen or heard of any stfen- uous efforts being put forth in any Of the towns to get one of the two Trade Schools except Putnam and South Manehesler-and we s.sh south Man chester was on the vest side, for one of these towns k almost assured of get ting one Of the schools.
 Putnam is aroused, as seldom before in q public movement, to secure one of the two schools. 1t appreciates the importance of Trade Schools Tn the service they are to render to the State in general and their town in particular, and also lo the youth Of the State, who have as much claim on the public to be taught useful ttade as to be mentally educated, as with practical knowledge of some trade they can only become the most useful to fulfil the duties of citizenship.
 Our citizens, therefore, having equal advantages as 10 location, healthful, with beautiful surroundings, as great town, including four silk mills stands ready to comply with any requirement additional which the State Board may deem essential to get one Of the schools. | In everything so far done to arouse interest, and to put forth effort to se- l cure for this town trade school by placing before the State Board of Edu- cation it's general and special advanta- pes for a trade schooI--afe almost ex- elnsieely to be credited to our Business | Mems Association, the Town Board Of Education co. operating. Besides what we have stated, the Association con tinues active in it's efforts tonake sure, II possible, the assignment to Putnam of one of the trade schools.
 We have specuIated somewhat on the glory that was to come to Connecti- cut for being the pioneer in the work of establishing Trade schools, which were 10 spread throughout the land, to become beacon light to the rest of the world. But alas, Our fond hopes have been blighted! Other States have been enlightened to the imperative need ol Trade Schools to maintain our supre. macy in industrial progress in every branch of manual labor. Already New York k establishing Trade Schools. h other States these schools have become part of the school system of certain To. calities.
 However, If our town Is assigned ont of the trade schools, that will ease oui disappointment in not having our State the pioneer to the world, for Putnam will then be the pioneer to the rest ol the State. Hut no, we won't If II. Wa say to Secretary Hine--whom we great. ly csteein--lhat we simply must have one uf the trade schools or our hlighted hopes will produce ntenser disappoInt meni, and means muoh--to us.
 Trade sehoais have been established hy eertain great industries In order to maintain needed supply oi expert help. Consul General Lay sends from Cape Town an interesting letter about the establishment of railway schools in Cape Colony. Wherever railway em' ployes, living in isolated places, can guarantee an average attendance ot ten or more children, the railway depart ment and the education department cooperate in providing school premis. es and skilled teacher. Last year there were foriy-one such schools and a,isS pupils were enrolled, and there are nearly o,oo volumes in the school libraries. If Il schools with m enroll ment of ., laa pupils to learn one single trade, and that in an almost unknown part of the world, can successfully hs maintained, why may not enlighten cd Connecticut, with the enormous de mand for skilled labor from railroat and other large industrial corporations and eallings, have hundred Trad, schools well sustained at oncc.