New-York tribune., 1910-01-24
Total
NET VALUE OF PROPERTY.
COMPARISON OF FIGURES.

COMtAalSON ot l0SANA@D'
Comparing the figures with the CORE
spending ones for last year. the total at
tendance increased 1856. the number Of
teachers increased 1.6SS. the total number
of graduates increased 20s7, the value OF
property increased 81. 924. 402 and the total
expenditures increased S,29s,27S.
Comparing the figures with the CORE
spending ones five years ago, when the
Education Department was organized, the
attendance increased 1sO065, the number OF
teachers increased S.l2l. the graduates in
creased 2.760, the value Of school property
increased sl05, SOC a63 and the total eXpendi-
lures increased s17, ,434. .3ls17.
Considerable space is given in the report
90 the progress made in the establishment
Of vocat ational schools and the problems con-
nected with their further development. to
which the Education Department is giving
special attention.
The law provides that vocational schools
shall be a part of the public school system,
but that their work is not to be mingled or
confused with the work OF the other
schools. and to this end the department
provides three checks by which the dis
tinctive character of vocational schools can
be preserved: % State inspection by a spe-
cial agent: ~ requirement that shop teach
trS Sllal De men anu HOUltl Will pldNliCdi
training and experience in the industries,
and 90 book work organized in relation to
shop work New York City, Rochester
factory, Albany. Syracuse and Freeville
George Junior Republic) already have sep
arate buildings for these schools. Yonkers
has started its trade school, and Hudson,
Schenectady. Lancaster. Buffalo, Rochester
(vocstionaD and Gloversville have the in
dustrial school organization in buildings
used also for other purposes There is ur
gent need for evening trade and technical
classes, and New York and Buffalo are
now conducting them. On the whole, the
prospect for vocational schools is exceed
ingly encouraging.
COMMISSIONER SPECIAL THEME
The Special Theme of the Commits
sioner of Education for the annual report
is New York Colleges and the State Sys-
tenn Of Education" His purpose is TO
initiate serious discussion Of the frater-
Lal relations OF the colleges to one an
ether. and Of their relations to the state
and it's system Of education. He reviews
at some length the relations OF the en-
doWed colleges to the Board Of Regents
from the creation OF the board in 1884,
to the unilcation of the educational de-
partments, in 1904 He treats the genesis,
history. functions and difficulties of the
University Of the State of New York, and
concludes that the Regents have no power
Of control over courses of study, finances
or other local details of chartered institu-
tions. at least until such educational in
capacity fraud shall be manifest as to
call for the exercise OF the states author
ity over charters
The Commissioner declares that so far
as the colleges Of the state are concerned
two things are exceedingly desirable:
First, that there should be freer opportu-
nifty to go 10 college, at least TO the point
Of making sure that no deserving student
IS kept out because he dare not assume the
charges for tuition; second, that the col
lege influence should penetrate into the af-
fairs Of the lower and middle schools and
all the affairs OF the people without so
much reference 10 the special interests Of
each college or university.
While saving frankly that he has reached
nc definite conclusions as TO methods be-
cause such conclusions ought not 10 be
formed without fun conference he speaks
Of many suggestions that have been ad-
Vanced 20 enlarge the advantages of the
colleges 10 intending students and TO the
people He Is not al all averse 10 state
aid for colleges on some basis which would
be just 10 all and stimulating TO education
In general He thinks that when this is
accomplished II will have 10 be through
the Board Of Regents and the University
of the State of New York because these
are the state agencies in operation since
the beginning Of the state government
and now fixed In the constitution of the
state. He declares that the real power of
the University Of the State of New York
81,