The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-28
SCHOOL CROWDED
WITH APPLICANTS
Virginia Mechanics Institute
Opens for Year With Big
Enrolment.
w DESIRE ENGLISH
Unusually Large Number OF
Boys From Mechanical
Trades Enter.

with total enrolment of 3s1 to
date. the Virginia Mechanics Insti-
tute began Its fifty-seventh year last
evening with meeting of all stu
dents for the purpose of organization
Into classes. Compared with figures
for last year. the present attendance
is entirely satisfactory to tho officers
of the institution. who expect a total
enrolment OF $50 by the end of next
week.
The schedule of studies shows
comprehensive curriculum. embracing
mathematics. from simple arithmetic
to calculus. bookkeeping. mechanical,
1ree-hand. architectural and instru-
mental drawing. physics, chemistry,
electricity. English and mechanical
courses in the machinist and metal
trades. Forty -eight separate classes
are listed.
An unusually large number of boys
from the mechanical trades entered
the school this year Apprentices
from the machinists', boilermakers'.
pattern makers and plumbers trades
have registered in large numbers,
This is considered by the officers OF
the institution an encouraging sign
pointing to an increasing tendency
among the employees in thse lines OF
Industry TO seek Improvement in the
technical knowledge of their respec-
tive trades.
English Course Popular.
English, bookkeeping, arithmetic
and drawing have so far proved the
most popular subjects. Twelve courses
are offered in the department of draw
ing and designing. and no less than
1870 have already signed up for them
The English and bookkeeping classes
were swamped with applicants early
In the evening, and a number seek
Ing admission to these two classes had
! to be turned down or postponed be-
cause of the lack OF room and equip
ment The English course draws from
large feld and is largely elected by
working boys who left the schools
! before obtaining an adequate ground
ing in the language.
The minimum length of the classes
is one hour with n number of the lab
oratory classes two hours In length
A large number of the students take
two one-hour classes an evening. The
average, however, per student is 1.6
hours. A remarkable fact in connec-
ton with the age of the pupils is. that
although students are received from
fifteen years OF age UP. the average
age remains practically constant at
| 1872 years.
Practical Instruction.
The purpose OF the school. as an
! nounced in the charter, is the educa-
I ton Of students in the scientific and
mechanical arts, and 1t is worthy OF
| note that not a single course is Of
fered in the curriculum whose value
Nt,1
institute is regarded as doing val
| liable work In offering opportunity for
, development to the worker and me-
| chanic whose early scholastic training
has been neglected. and who Is ambi-
| tious to improve his knowledge and
| technique. The increasingly large
number of students being recruited
! from the ranks of the mechanical
crafts is a source of much gratifica-
| ton to the officers OF the school who
| confidently predict an unusually sue
| cessful and productive year.
| Following are the officers and direc-
| tors of the institute for the present
year: w. j. Whitehurst, president; B
/ Rand. Wexford, vice president; Frank
| w. Duke. superintendent and secre-
| tary; n. p. Cofer, treasurer and libra
rian.
| Directors-E. r. Archer. z. j. Bosh-
err. C. W. Bradley. A. j. Chewing. L
T. Christian. James D. Crump, Henry
| G. Elicit. z. w. Farley. Edgar II, Fer
J gusson, Marx Gunst, Basil NJ. Gwath.
| mey. Horace S. Hawes, Henry S. Hutz-
Ter. l. H. Jenkins. John w. Rothert
Arthur Scrivenor. H. NJ. Starke. G. G
| Valentine, ]. c. Warren, Jr.. B. Rand
! Wexford. Joseph B. Welsh. w. j
! whitehurst. T. c. Williams. Jr.. anG
| John T. Wilson.
| Marriage Licenses.