Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1911-11-03

in those handicrafts for which there
is the greatest need In that country.
These are, primarily everything con-
nected with the construction OF dwell
ings, both as to carpentry and as to
masonry. In the towns large part
Of the buildings are constructed OF
brick, stone or cement, and this form
of construction is that which is best
adapted to the tropics. The brick
used is mostly imported. though at the
present time great deal is derived
from older buildings which have fallen
into decay and which have broken up.
Brick-making would also be a profit
able industry.
Special attention should be given to
all kinds of cement work for the pur'
poses of construction of houses, CHS
terms and all kinds of drainage. SAM
tary arrangements do not exist IN the
country and in the city are woefully
primitive. A proper application OF
cement construction to these necessi-
ties would not only contribute to the
health Of the community, but would
be valuable ir. establishing higher
standards of decency and living.
Room In Liberia for Trained
Mechanics.
The center of the Americo-Liberian
number of trained mechanics The
application of the gasoline motor to
navigation OF the st. Pauls river and
in machine shops. is increasing and
for the present 1t would seem that ele-
mentary knowledge of the principles
and applications of mechanics and the
care of machinery might we'll be made
subject of instruction.
There has so far been little con-
scious effort to utilize native products
to the best advantages. The teachers
of an agricultural school could tender
an enormous service to the country by
the study Of its natural resources, by
the cultivation by way of experiment
and demonstration of the crops of the
! country, such as the coffee plant and
possibly the sugar cane, and by intro
ducing improved methods for the col
lection. preservation and shipment OF
such natural products as palm Oil ana
kernels, piassava fiber and rubber. II
such an institution were designed for
both sexes, the Industrial training OF
the girls would naturally follow the
sane lines as have been developed by
the educational experts of the United
| States.
| The center of the America-Liberian
| population Is Monrovia, and such
| school as is needed should be located
| in or near this place. There is plenty
| OF good agricultural land easily &C.
cessible to Monrovia, while the prox-
unity to the town would in the first
instance be an important factor in
reducing the cost of the necessary
supplies which, until the school Is
well established, must be largely pur.
chased.
| New Era Dawning for Republic.
No gift of the American people to
the republic OF Liberia could be more
valuable for development of the
country than such an institution. As
an example Of wholly disinterested
concern in the welfare of the republic,
the gift would be most highly ap.
preciated. The people of Liberia be.
Ilieye that new era is dawning. They
have placed themselves under the
guidance Of the United States OF
/ America, and they are looking forward
to the advent OF their advisers as the
beginning of changed conditions. While
these changes encounter the natural
inertia which opposes any new move
ment, the present and future admins
trations of the country are in hearty
accord with these changes No more
fitting time than the present could be
Imagined in which to establish such
a school, which would be regarded by
the Liberian people as conclusive evil
dence that the interest the American
government has taken in their welfare
is as unself1sh as those who have been
concerned in this policy believe.
Of course, the Europeans In Liberia
cannot understand that the United
States has no Interior motive, and that
it is actuated solely by considerations
OF sympathy and friendly feeling. Such
an educational institution as has been
discussed would in a large measure
counterfeit this influence Of the for
eigrers now located in the country.